Need a little inspiration to help you finish (or start, in my case) your holiday shopping? Here are five creative gifts that just make scents! These gift ideas are also a great way to build traditions with your own family, inviting you to embrace nature this holiday season.
SMELL- Holiday fragrances evoke memories of happy times together. If you want to bring the smells of the season into your home or if you have someone on your shopping list who is fond of fragrances, give them a Young Living diffuser with Christmas Spirit essential oil blend. The sweet, spicy blend of orange, cinnamon, and spruce essential oils tap into the joy of the holiday season. Or if you're buying for a true nature lover, give him or her a bottle of Balsam Fir (Idaho), Douglas Fir, or Evergreen Essence essential oils wrapped in a basket of pinecones. By adding a few drops of essential oils on the pinecones, the room will be filled with the crisp, invigorating aroma of winter in the woods.
TASTE- For the aspiring chef, print out your favorite peppermint dessert recipe (think peppermint brownies, peppermint frosting, you get the picture!) on a holiday card and tie with raffia to a bottle of Young Living peppermint essential oil. Myrecipes.com lets you browse lots of popular peppermint recipes. Peppermint essential oil is a natural flavoring that is excellent in holiday recipes. (Note: Young Living essential oils are pure and stronger than artificial extracts, so it takes less oil than an extract when flavoring foods. Start with a tiny amount, as you can always add more. Use a toothpick or the end of a butter knife to swirl in the flavoring.)
SEE- The Wise Men's gifts included gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Share these treasured gifts with a loved one by giving them an Essence of the Season collection. This gift box includes frankincense and myrrh resins, as well as the essential oils. These aromatics were used throughout the ancient world for religious and state services, as well as for medicinal purposes. Place the resins in a fire to produce a sweet smelling smoke that has been described as a "heavenly aroma", and see the glow on children's faces as you read them stories of the Nativity by the fire.
TOUCH- The winter weather is known for its harsh effects on the skin, often drying it and causing it to crack. Essential oils are extremely beneficial for the skin, nourishing and protecting it. Domino Magazine features a great recipe for a calming scrub with Young Living geranium essential oil. Add a jar of sea salt (make your own with 1/2 c. Dead Sea salts and 1/2 c. Epsom salts) and Young Living V-6 Enhanced Oil, and you've got the perfect skin-care gift!
HEAR- Ring in the New Year with a bottle of NingXia Red! This naturally delicious, nutrient-infused wolfberry drink will have everyone cheering for health and prosperity in 2008. Add some party favors, and your host or hostess will be set for celebrating!
