Gifts that Soothe the Soul

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Source: <a href='http://www.californiapsychics.com'>California Psychics</a><br><br><p>Often we're overburdened with stuff: stuff bought on sale and never worn; unuseable stuff given by well-meaning but clueless lovers and friends; stuff that's too expensive to throw away and too inconvenient to use; stuff that reveals good intentions, the raw food 'cookbook', the vegetable juicer, the treadmill&nbsp;that gathers dust. </p> <p></p> <p>The hard part isn't acquiring things; the hard part is clearing up unnecessary clutter. And here come the holidays with its onslaught of stuff: unwanted gifts, wrapping paper, packaging, all that needs to be bought and then thrown away. </p> <p></p> <p>So, what can you do? </p> <p></p> <p>First, take a weekend to clear up your unused, unwanted stuff and give it to a charity. That way, people with small budgets can give something nice for someone on their list, and you can take a deduction on your taxes. And with the clarity that comes with an uncluttered space you'll enjoy the holidays a bit more and be ruthless with what you allow back in your home.</p> <p></p> <p><strong>Give experiences as presents</strong><br>Instead of a yoga DVD and an environmentally destructive PVC sticky mat, give your favorite Yogini a month of classes. Or buy them a ski lesson, a series of dancing lessons, a cooking course at a culinary school. There are as many ways to give someone they'll truly remember as your friends have interests. </p> <p></p> <p><strong>Give rare indulgence<br></strong>For the mother of young kids, the woman with the overwhelming job, there can be no better gift than a day at a spa, or even an hour. Give a gift certificate for a massage and that bone weary friend will remember you with aching fondness. </p> <p></p> <p><strong>Give gift cards</strong><br>It may not feel intimate or personal, but it does save wasted time, shipping and packing materials. It even saves on smog that's not spewed into the air while returning and exchanging merchandise. And be honest, do you really know what clothes or books your cousin loves? </p> <p></p> <p><strong>Give charitably</strong><br>Activists, environmentalists or charitable friends may appreciate being given a donation in their name. Heifer.org, for one example, allows people to give rabbits, or chickens, or trees to poverty striken farmers around the world. This gift comes with an animal husbandry course and requires the recipient to give some of the first offspring from their gift to be given to a similar family in their village. And that family agrees to do the same… It's one way to make a small gift that can make a big, sustainable impact on an entire community. In that respect, it sure beats some jangling earrings that will never be worn.</p> <p></p> <p><strong>Be crafty<br></strong>If you love to make things and your friends love getting them; go to town. Make your own handcrafted candles, soaps or lotions. Bake holiday treats that will be savored and fondly remembered. Sew or knit something warm and soft for friend's babies… use your talents to make something unforgettable and absolutely unique. </p> <p></p> <p>There are so many ways to deepen our enjoyment of the holidays and to reduce the unnecessary waste and stress that can accompany it. Give of yourself and make this holiday the best yet!</p> <p></p> <table cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" bgColor=#0033cc border=0> <tbody> <tr> <td> <table cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 width="100%" border=0> <tbody> <tr> <td class=text bgColor=#cdeafc><strong>Need some soul soothing of your own? Call <b>1.800.573.4830</b> or <a href="http://www.californiapsychics.com/c/c.aspx?lid=103258">click here</a> now.</strong></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table>

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Often we're overburdened with stuff: stuff bought on sale and never worn; unuseable stuff given by well-meaning but clueless lovers and friends; stuff that's too expensive to throw away and too inconvenient to use; stuff that reveals good intentions, the raw food 'cookbook', the vegetable juicer, the treadmill that gathers dust.

The hard part isn't acquiring things; the hard part is clearing up unnecessary clutter. And here come the holidays with its onslaught of stuff: unwanted gifts, wrapping paper, packaging, all that needs to be bought and then thrown away.

So, what can you do?

First, take a weekend to clear up your unused, unwanted stuff and give it to a charity. That way, people with small budgets can give something nice for someone on their list, and you can take a deduction on your taxes. And with the clarity that comes with an uncluttered space you'll enjoy the holidays a bit more and be ruthless with what you allow back in your home.

Give experiences as presents
Instead of a yoga DVD and an environmentally destructive PVC sticky mat, give your favorite Yogini a month of classes. Or buy them a ski lesson, a series of dancing lessons, a cooking course at a culinary school. There are as many ways to give someone they'll truly remember as your friends have interests.

Give rare indulgence
For the mother of young kids, the woman with the overwhelming job, there can be no better gift than a day at a spa, or even an hour. Give a gift certificate for a massage and that bone weary friend will remember you with aching fondness.

Give gift cards
It may not feel intimate or personal, but it does save wasted time, shipping and packing materials. It even saves on smog that's not spewed into the air while returning and exchanging merchandise. And be honest, do you really know what clothes or books your cousin loves?

Give charitably
Activists, environmentalists or charitable friends may appreciate being given a donation in their name. Heifer.org, for one example, allows people to give rabbits, or chickens, or trees to poverty striken farmers around the world. This gift comes with an animal husbandry course and requires the recipient to give some of the first offspring from their gift to be given to a similar family in their village. And that family agrees to do the same… It's one way to make a small gift that can make a big, sustainable impact on an entire community. In that respect, it sure beats some jangling earrings that will never be worn.

Be crafty
If you love to make things and your friends love getting them; go to town. Make your own handcrafted candles, soaps or lotions. Bake holiday treats that will be savored and fondly remembered. Sew or knit something warm and soft for friend's babies… use your talents to make something unforgettable and absolutely unique.

There are so many ways to deepen our enjoyment of the holidays and to reduce the unnecessary waste and stress that can accompany it. Give of yourself and make this holiday the best yet!