We know it 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 go green. 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 turn from packaged products altogether 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.

 

Natural Gifts & Clothing

Giving feels even better when it’s good for the earth.

Shop for stylish, luxuriously soft alpaca-wool clothing right at the source. Located in Millerton, one of the coolest small towns in America, Copper Star Alpaca Farm Store has apparel for women, men and children as well as a selection of fair-trade and locally hand-crafted gifts.

Copper Star Alpaca Farm Store

20 Main St, Millerton, NY

Info: 518.592.1414 or CopperStarAlpacaFarm.com

 

We spend a third of our lives sleeping, so keeping the chemicals out of our beds can pay big health dividends long-term. Say “I care” with the gift of a handmade, organic wool and cotton comforter from Healthy Choice Organic Mattresses. The store also carries all-natural, toxin-free pillows, toppers, mattress pads and locally made mattresses.

Healthy Choice Organic Mattresses

681 E. Main St., Mt. Kisco, NY

Info:  914.241.2467 or HCmattress.com

 

 

Perfect for office giving, Sound Earth gift baskets contain nontoxic, cruelty-free cleaning products that are safe for people, pets and planet. Choose from many online options, including the Starter Kit, Parents Essential and Grand Gift, all featuring unique, hand-crafted baskets. View catalog at SoundEarth.com/CatalogPrint.pdf.

Sound Earth

PO Box 245, Fishkill, NY 12524

Info: 845.489.2378 or SoundEarth.com

 

Inspirational Gifts and Whimsy

Need a reason this season to avoid the boring big-box stores? Here are three.

 

Synchronicity is a one-stop shop for spiritual gifts in the Hudson Valley. Visitors will find a large selection of sparkling crystals, jewelry, spiritual books and Tarot decks, as well as massage and Reiki services. And during Customer Appreciation Weekend, December 13-15, they’ll receive 10 percent off their entire purchase.

 

 

Synchronicity

1511 Rt. 22, A&P Plaza, Brewster, NY

Info: 845.363.1765 or SynchronicityNY.com

 

For handmade American crafts and fair-trade goods, look no further than the Dreaming Goddess. Choose from bohemian-style clothing, sterling and semi-precious jewelry, unique greeting cards, meditation music, a large assortment of crystals and gemstones and much more.

The Dreaming Goddess

44 Raymond Ave. Poughkeepsie, NY

Info: 845.473.2206 or DreamingGoddess.com

 

Kimberly Taylor, the popular medium from Pawling, NY, recently opened Crystal Visions just over the border in Sherman, CT. The store carries an array of spiritual gifts and novelties from many spiritual traditions—including Christian, Buddhist, Wiccan, Native American Shamanist and Celtic—as well as crystals, incense, jewelry and greeting cards.

Crystal Visions

1 Rt. 37 E., Ste. 2, Sherman, CT

Info: 860.210.9897

 

Presents that Pamper

With busy calendars and long to-do lists, everyone can use a little pampering this time of year.

 

A Massage Envy Spa gift card is the ultimate one-size-fits-all present. Massage Envy Spa is conveniently open seven days a week and evenings, with four locations in Westchester, including Rye Brook and Bedford Hills and two in Scarsdale. A one-hour massage starts at $59; facials start at $69.

 

Massage Envy Spa

Rye Brook, Bedford Hills and Scarsdale, NY

Info: MassageEnvy.com.

 

There’s something for everyone at Heart & Soul, from organic bath and body products, soy and beeswax candles and essential oils to culinary spices and health teas. And with its location in the adorable village of Beacon, a trip to Heart & Soul is a treat in itself.

Heart & Soul

500 Main St., Beacon, NY

Info: 845.765.1535 or NYHeartNSoul.com

Help loved ones on the path toward greater balance and well-being with a gift certificate for reflexology or Reiki from Mystical Roots. Now offering $25 off a one-hour gift card.

 

Mystical Roots

Center for Aligned Healing, 175 King St., Chappaqua, NY

Info: 914.261.0108 or MysticalRoots.org

 

For those prone to seasonal stress, a gift certificate for therapeutic massage might just put the “happy” in the holidays. Health & Harmony Massage and Wellness offers individual and couples sessions as well as spa parties. Among its holiday specials: a couples massage session for $120.

Health & Harmony Massage and Wellness

2392 Rte. 6, Brewster, NY

Info: 845.363.1571 or HealthAndHarmonyBrewster.com

 

Yoga-related gifts are a great way to introduce loved ones to yoga or help them explore the wide variety of styles and modalities offered in our area. Need a truly flexible gift? Turn to Natural Awakenings’ Yoga, Pilates, Fitness Network pages, find a convenient yoga studio, and then call them to buy a yoga class card.

Info: See Natural Awakenings yoga listings on the Yoga, Pilates and Fitness pages.

 

For Furry Family Members

Before purchasing another squeaky toy or rawhide bone, consider these more health-conscious gift alternatives for Fifi and Fido.

 

All-natural dog treats from Dogs Luv’em are made in the Catskills from chicken that’s hormone- and antibiotic-free and USDA-inspected. Dogs Luv’em treats are dehydrated and contain no additives.

Dogs Luv’em

173 East Monguap Rd., Hurleyville, NY

Info: 845.283.1128 or DogsLuvEm.com

 

Give the gift of wellness to the family’s four-legged members. Earth Angels Veterinary Hospital provides holistic and conventional medicine, including all-natural flea and tick prevention products and chiropractic, acupuncture, homeopathy and nutritional services.

Earth Angels Veterinary Hospital

8 Nancy Ct., Wappingers Falls, NY

Info: 845.227.7297 or EarthAngelsVet.com

 

Home for the Holidays

When it’s cold and blustery outside, nothing feels warmer than our own comfy cocoon.

 

Deck the halls … or let Bates Northern Farm do the custom-decorating instead. Shop their friendly farm store for beautiful Fraser Firs, made-to-order wreaths, garlands, “orchard-to-oven” pies, soups and more.

Bates Northern Farm Christmas Shop

1 Bloomer Rd., North Salem, NY

Info: BatesNorthernFarm.com or 914.669.8275

 

At holiday time, Harvest Moon Farm becomes a family destination. Shoppers can pick out a pre-cut Fraser Fir, wreath and greens while listening to Christmas carols and snacking on doughnuts and hot spiced cider. And while they’re there, they can even pick up a free-range turkey for their holiday meal.

Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard

130 Hardscrabble Rd., North Salem, NY

Info: HarvestMoonFarmAndOrchard.com or 914.485.1210

 

 

For hosts and hostesses, getting their home presentable for holiday gatherings can be stressful. That’s where Maid Brigade can help, offering ongoing or one-time Green Clean Certified® house-cleaning with products that are safe for people and the environment.

Maid Brigade

Info: MaidBrigade.com or 866.800.7470