Conscious Gifting: Mastering Life in the Christmas Present

“Joyful Careful Christmas,” I heard the British Prime Minister say. It is a slightly different slant on the regular wording, but as most of us have probably concluded already, little will be as usual this upcoming Festive Season.

Too much has happened in our lives over the past nine months for a regular holiday season. Emotions are running high and exhaustion is a sign of the times. With a likely dose of turmoil going on, inside and outside, even Christmas gifts call for a make-over during pandemic time.

A Gift for Life

This year I suggest to first pause and take stock. Like with almost everything this year, it will be worth pausing for this year’s Festive Season to reflect whether anybody really needs more (material) stuff.

What is it that we really want? Aren’t we all seekers and searching for this illusive something to give us peace and happiness? 

In 2020 a welcome Christmas present will be one that helps to experience a sense of inner peace.

Conscious gifting

It starts with getting out of our habitual ways of shopping. Instead of being pulled in by the noise of advertisers, one pauses and reflects. Instead of buying more stuff and presents nobody needs nor will ever use, one allows for another kind of generosity to come to the surface.

What if, I think, instead of rushing to the market place, I connect with the person that I want to give a gift to, in silence? What comes to mind as I tune in to the person?

The pandemic is forcing us to face myriad personal and emotional issues, such as loneliness, feelings of anger and perhaps a fragile mental health. And more stuff will likely only distract a person away from feeling truly contented or happy.

If I was looking for a gift for myself, I would love something that supports my spiritual quest to get to know myself on a deeper level. It boils down to shifting my awareness to what lies within and emanates out, rather than the other way around. This seems especially fitting when the entire world is going through transformation.

Here are some ideas to shift from consumption to conscious gifting for anyone on a similar path towards inner peace – knowingly or unknowingly.

Online or non-material Soulful Gifts

A Mindful Subscription.

A mindfulness inducing subscription, such as for www.wisdomhub.tv. This is a platform for sharing wisdom globally. With its ‘streams of consciousness’ manifesting as teachings, interviews and workshops, the main areas covered are: Plant Intelligence, Herbalism, Indigenous Wisdom, Eco-Psychology, Deep Ecology, Shamanism and Healing.

An online learning course.

An online learning course, such as “How to re-wild your garden”, from a place such as for example www.wildgaiansoul.com. With all that has been happening in 2020, there has been much focus on how nature heals us. And considering that we may need to dig deep within and even re-wild ourselves to stay strong when the path ahead seems more unknown than usual, why not let that path overgrow and instead heal yourself, connecting to what is within through nature? In the “How to re-wild your garden” e-course, one aspect is about turning a patch into a space for foraging medicinal plants. There are shorter courses as well as a full six month “Rewilding Apprenticeship”. If you want to research other similar ideas, there are many interesting websites out there.

Personalized Mandala.

Mandalas are used in many cultures as a medium for connecting to the spirit within, and in all things. Contemplating on a mandala can help nurture qualities of wholeness, balance and harmony. I am especially intrigued by Pondicherry-based www.soulscapes.in who offer personalised soul mandalas. Helping a person connect with their own particular soul qualities, these multi-dimensional soul mandalas are created using sacred geometry, numerology, colour and vibrational resonances to hold energetic information. Each comes with guidance for how to connect with it and is delivered as a digital file that can be printed.

Mandala is a centering technique, a process of consciously following a path to one’s centre. A fully individuated being, no matter what may happen to him outwardly, is able to maintain contact with his centre, to assimilate and recreate all experiences without losing touch with the vital source of his very being.

– Jose Arguelles

An energetic space clearing & cleanse.

Reconnecting to Japanese de-cluttering Guru Marie Kondo, and given that so much time has been spent at home during lockdowns, why not offer a friend a hand making their home a happier place? Again, this could suit different budgets as you may feel able to offer some hands on de-cluttering or energy cleansing work by you directly, if you feel qualified, have the time and lockdown restrictions do not apply. Or consider engaging a professional, such as Emma Loveheart’s https://homehealer.co.uk/. I guess that with some research of your own you can find the best angle that suits your intended receiver of this gift.

You may have noticed that so far all of the gifts proposed are “non-material” and require no posting, thus having less of an impact on the environment, much in line with the pandemic.

For those hoping to be able to get together with family and/or friends this Christmas and preferring a gift, here are some ideas aimed at the receiver’s expansion of consciousness. We all know the joy of holding something physical in our hands, touching and feeling it, embracing its beauty.

To have and to hold gifts

Being consciously clothed.

A person who continues to inspire me is Uma. She manages the Upasana Conscious Clothing unit in Auroville, a spiritual community in the south of India and my soul home. Their Conscious Gifting initiative offers beautiful items that incorporate her passion to support local artisans, as always.

Gift of Self Care & Self Love.

Made for Life Organics was born from a desire to use an artisanal approach to the creation of skincare. The brand relies on the power of herbs and flowers to heal. 100% organic and made by a slow, conscious process guided by its founder’s passion. ‘A hug in a jar with love on top’ as fondly described by a customer. It is a good match with my guided “28 days Self Love Journal”. Love yourself from the outside and inside. Opt for one or the other or both together.

Here is my favorite: Daily Rejuvenating Face Oil. Perfect multi-tasker as it can be used as a serum or a lovely light treat for glowing nourished skin. Rose hydrates and vanilla stimulates the skin gently. Beautiful uplifting scent. Browse for inspiration HERE.

A positive Mindset.

The founder of the Mood Club is passionate about well-being and mental health and has much experience in the field. There are many positive testimonials from amateurs and professionals alike for the products which I wouldn’t mind giving a try myself: themoodclub.com.

Supporting small and local.

Supporting artisans and small high street businesses as much as possible is nothing new, but more needed than ever. Conscious gifting of something that is used rather than remaining to gather dust on a shelf is especially attractive. If not a food, drink or soap item, perhaps a flowering houseplant, handmade vase or mug with flowers or hot chocolate powder inside? Do try to avoid plastics. If headed to the local bookshop, perhaps some escapist fiction or a cookbook will delight your loved one(s), including yourself.

Heartfulness.

Last but not least, consider the possibility of parting with tradition and not buying anything. Yes, nothing! You may want to give your presence instead in the shape of a beautifully wrapped handwritten note from your heart to the person in particular. Or failing that, send a long letter by email to share something about your family member, friend or colleague that you didn’t express to date, and shine the light from your heart onto their heart.

Covid-19 is changing the way we live, love and give. Conscious gifting is an act of caring and of sharing our love. Give a gift of love to your loved ones and importantly to yourself.

My gift to you – stay centered in the knowledge that peace and happiness resides within you moment by moment.

With wishes for Soulful Christmas preparations for all!

Claudia

More about the Author:

Claudia Roth is the founder of Soul Luxury specialising in the area of personal growth & transformation and healing hospitality. She draws her experience as a global executive in luxury hospitality combined with a lifelong interest in how our energy field influenced by our thoughts, beliefs and emotions influence our lives. She works with individuals as a Quantum Energy Coach, facilitates retreats and offers personal change programmes. Claudia runs a global community which – at its heart – holds conversations exploring a future based on a new and deeper understanding of self.

Her guided journal Your 28 Days to Self Love is available on Amazon and other major book retail platforms.

To receive your regular Soul Snippets to your inbox or join the soulful community send a message HERE.

All original material copyright © 2020 Claudia Roth