Henry David Thoreau said “Our life is frittered away by detail... simplify, simplify.”

I’ll start this gift giving guide by saying that in recent years I have simply reduced the amount of gifts that I give. My kids get four: one or two from Santa, one from us (the parents) and one from each other. We also fill their stockings with snacks. When it comes to gifts for friends and family, my shopping list gets smaller and smaller every year. For most of the people in my life I ask if they would prefer to do something together before or after the holidays. That being said, there are times when we would all like to give a gift.

This guide is meant to help you follow your intuition and simplify.

In my opinion, the best gifts are something that you know the other person actually wants. Does your mom say she wishes she could get a massage but can’t afford it? Why not make your life easy while also giving her the thing she craves. I personally am releasing the need to find the perfect surprise gift.

When you know they would really love a gift certificate for….

Massage

Reiki

Yoga classes at a studio

Energy healing work

Family photography session

An Ayurvedic coaching session

A cooking class

A coupon for…

A homemade meal

Babysitting

Help cleaning

You can learn more about my favorite books for getting started on the path of Ayurveda.

Cookbooks

The Everyday Ayurveda Cookbook: A Seasonal Guide to Eating and Living Well by Kate O'Donnell

Everyday Ayurveda Cooking for a Calm, Clear Mind: 100 Simple Sattvic Recipes by Kate O'Donnell

Eat Feel Fresh: A Contemporary, Plant-Based Ayurvedic Cookbook by Sahara Rose Ketabi

What to Eat for How You Feel: The New Ayurvedic Kitchen - 100 Seasonal Recipes by Divya Alter

Ayurveda Books

Healing Your Life: The Lessons on the Path of Ayurveda by Marc Halpern

Freedom in Your Relationship with Food: An Everyday Guide by Myra Lewin

Ayurveda Lifestyle Wisdom: A Complete Prescription to Optimize Your Health, Prevent Disease, and Live with Vitality and Joy by Acharya Shunya

The Complete Book of Ayurvedic Home Remedies by Vasant Lad

The Idiot’s Guide to Ayurveda by Sahara Rose Ketabi

Yoga Books

The Yamas and Niyamas by Deborah Adele

The Yin Yoga Kit by Biff Mithoeffer

Yoga for Life by Colleen Saidman Yee

Peace is Every Step by Thich Nhat Hanh

Parenting Books

Sacred Motherhood by Anni Daulter and Niki Dewart

Sacred Pregnancy by Anni Daulter

The Danish Way of Parenting by Jessica Joelle Alexander and Iben Dissing Sandahl

Parenting Without Borders by Christine Gross-Loh

How Eskimos Keep Their Babies Warm by Mei-Ling Hopgood.

The Conscious Parent by Dr. Shefali Tsabary

The Parent’s Tao Te Ching by William Martin

Simple Living

Soulful Simplicity by Courtney Carver

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo

I have personally read and loved every single book on this list. However, keep in mind what the recipient would actually want to read before giving any as a gift.

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Ghee (homemade or purchased)

Spices: saffron, turmeric

A spice grinder

Homemade Tea Blends

CCF (cumin, coriander, fennel)

Chai Tea

Golden milk paste

Homemade beauty products (scrubs are very easy to make!)

Tongue scraper

Daily swish oil

Abhyanga oil: Some of my favorite brands are: Lotus Love Beauty, Pratima, Pangea Organics

Essential oils

Diffuser

Epsom salts

Plants

Experiences

Theme park passes

Show tickets

A trip: The trip can be simple. Print out a picture of a place you can drive to that you know they would love. Some examples are a day in the city or hiking.

A yes day: This is a day where they get to choose what you do for fun. Write the word YES and wrap it up in a fun box.

Books

Zen Shorts by Jon J. Muth

Good Morning Yoga by Mariam Gates

The Little Book of Hindu Dieties by Sanjay Patel

The Official Ninja Handbook by Arnie Lightning

Last year the only thing Max asked for was a ninja costume and this book talks about discipline and respect in a fun way.

Other Gifts

Hoberman Sphere

Essential Oil Diffuser (my five year old loves his)

I always give gift cards to Target. They can buy something for themselves or more likely, for the classroom. As a former first grade teacher, trust me that this is the simplest, best gift.

How do you simplify gift giving? What would you love to receive as a gift?