It is generally known as the most wonderful time of the year, yet too often the holiday season pushes wellness to the back burner and heightened consumption trumps efforts to live sustainably. For this year’s gift-giving season, Natural Awakenings has gathered meaningful and practical gift ideas from local businesses to ease the stress of holiday shopping.

To make gifting even simpler, pair our findings with creative themes that initiate new traditions. Try the four-gift rule with kids: one thing they want, one thing they need, one thing to wear and one thing to read. Suggest exchanging locally crafted items with out-of-town family members so everyone receives a unique gift they’ve never encountered before. Consider shopping throughout the year when inspiration strikes, and then store items in a gift closet; it cuts down on holiday to-dos. Or completely switch from packaged products to gift certificates, prepaid memberships and charitable donations. With friends and family in mind, have fun practicing conscious consumerism with these ideas for gifts of wellness and sustainability. You’ll also find naturally appealing gift ideas for kids, pets, relatives and friends at the Natural Awakenings webstore, NAWebstore.com.

Please visit our local businesses this holiday season! Clip these offers and be ready for the gift giving season!

bellabaci.com www.nurturespa.com LarkJewelry.com DigYoga.com GreenChanges.org www.innervitalityspa.com www.busybeetoys.net www.JayaHealingArts.com gladdogsnation.com www.joeyfivecents.com Healinghandsnewhope.com http://www.sycamoresalon.com/ www.drriand.com www.harmonyclean.com www.cluttershrink.com New Hope Consignment www.trinacu.com reikilight4peace.massageplanet.com http://AsterMassage.com www.pttransformations.com www.keeperofthecandlesconcierge.com http://greenstreetlux.com

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