The Natural New Age Mum Christmas Gift Guide

November 27, 2017 · 10 Comments

The Natural New Age Mum Christmas Gift Guide

It’s less than a month to Christmas Day!

I don’t know what it’s like where you are, but my hubby couldn’t even get into the carpark at our local shopping centre the other day. It’s crazy town. I avoid it like the plague and prefer to shop online. I don’t need the stress!

Here are some gift ideas to inspire you if you fancy a spot of online shopping for your gifts this year. Get in your pyjamas, grab a cup of tea or wine and have a relaxing browse!

♥ Shakti Mat

Our whole family loves the Shakti Mat! It’s the perfect thing to buy someone who has back or muscle problems or for the person who needs some relaxation.

The Shakti Mat is an acupressure mat with a cotton cover and plastic spikes that work on your body’s acupressure points. You can stand on it, put it under your neck, under your back or under your legs. Some people even do their yoga poses on it!

The ideas is that it not only relaxes you, it boosts circulation, calms down the nervous system and releases endorphins. Benefits can include pain relief, better sleep, more energy and less stress.

Who wouldn’t want that for Christmas??? Get it online here.

♥ Moeloco Inspirational Thongs

Kathy Wong from Moeloco sells very cool inspirational thongs (or fit flops!) that give back to those in need. The thongs come in various sizes and designs for men, women and children. They are ethically made using quality hard-wearing rubber and are packaged in a reusable bag.

As you walk in the sand at the beach, the thongs leave behind an inspirational message so you can spread good vibes and love wherever you go. For every pair of thongs sold, Kathy donates a pair of school shoes to a child living in poverty. I love that!

Get them online here with free shipping.

♥ Bone Broth Basics cookbook

I lovingly call my friend Micheline, ‘The Bone Broth Goddess’, because… she is! Mich is the founder and former owner of Broth of Life. She has been making and using broth for healing and teaching others how to do it for many years.

Now you can take advantage of her knowledge with her new book, Bone Broth Basics. You will find loads of information about broth, how to make it and 40 easy recipes to incorporate broth into your family meals. Broth is a nourishing cheap food you can make to improve your family’s immunity, gut health and overall good health.

Get it from Mich here.

♥ Blue Blocker Beauty Sleep Glasses

Crystal from Ecology Skincare got these Blue Blocker Glasses in store and I thought they would make an awesome Christmas gift.

When we sit in front of the computer, watch TV or scroll through our smartphones at night, the blue light from these screens continually stimulates the hormones that keep us wide awake. This blue light also prevents melatonin (our primary sleepy-time and anti-ageing hormone) from being released.

So, by blocking the stimulating effects of blue light from devices at night time, you can get a better night sleep! Just pop them on when the sun goes down and see what a difference it makes.

The glasses come ready for gifting in a little pouch and bamboo case. Crystal is also kindly giving you all a free Beauty Sleep Mask with every pair of Blue Blocker Glasses! Just use the code: NNAM here.

♥ Joyou Surprise Gift Box

What’s in the box? I have no idea! That’s the fun bit. Gorgeous mum, Amanda from the Gold Coast, has recently launched her unique gift box business, Joyou Gifts and I think it’s so cool.

You can buy a Joyou Gift box as a one-off gift or as a monthly subscription so your family and friends get a surprise every month! The Christmas Gift box is selling now and can be posted worldwide.

So what’s in it? Amanda carefully selects an ethical, eco-friendly, vegan, hand-made piece of art or organic product for each box. The boxes are an opportunity to discover and support Australian artists. No two months are ever the same and these are gifts you will never find in chain stores or mass produced. They truly are unique gifts of JOY.

Find Joyou Gifts on Facebook or at the website here.

♥ Bespoke Skincare Pack

This is something so special. Pure, organic skincare made just for you!! Anna D’Amelio is a very talented mum from Melbourne, with over ten years spent creating natural skincare and running workshops.

Now Anna is using her talent, knowledge and her intuition to create Bespoke Skincare products. We are all so different and unique and skincare is an incredibly personal thing as it’s always changing and is affected by so many factors.

Anna works with you to create the perfect product for your skin using the purest organic ingredients and a beautiful intuitive process. Your personal blend will be stored on file so you are able to purchase a refill at any time.

Get it here from Anna and send her an email if you want to buy it as a gift.

♥ Windowsill Greens Kit

A veggie garden can be a big commitment, but a windowsill garden is much more manageable and a great place to start. This kit has everything you need – a super stylish porcelain box with bamboo lid and drip tray, organic soil mix, Aussie micro-green seeds and full instructions.

Get it here.

♥ Aroma Cards

Just released from Sunshine Coast aromatherapist, Kim Morrison, these aroma cards are the perfect gift for the oil lover! There are fifty cards with essential oil profiles and an intuitive message on each. As well as learning about each oil, you can also use the deck for guidance as to what oil your body needs.

Find them here.

♥ Indah Rose Noir Perfume Balm

This perfume balm from Aussie natural skincare range, Indah, has exotic essential oils of Turkish Rose and Peru Balsam. Beautifully packaged with a surprise crystal in each pot, it’s designed to be lightly rubbed into your pulse points. $5 from each sale is donated to Indonesian charity, Borneo Orangutan Survival.

Find the balm here.

♥ Yoghurt Maker

This electric yoghurt maker has been designed to culture yoghurt at low temperatures so that the lactose is reduced and the live enzymes remain intact. It’s brilliant for anyone following the GAPS or SCD diet protocols because you can culture your choice of milk for 24 hours or longer.

It comes with seven glass jars and is easy to use with a timer, auto shut off and digital display.

Get it here.

♥ Handmade Viking Mug

Hand-made by Brisbane artist, Naomi, these Viking Mugs are inspired by an archaeological find on the island of Gotland, Sweden, that was dated to about 1000 years ago. So cool!!!

Naomi makes them in a range of sizes and colours and she will even personalise them with a name too. Check them out here.

♥ Hammock Chair

This hammock chair is woven from 100% cotton by Mexican artisans, supporting Fair Trade and the development of small communities. It’s got a high 1.5 metre back so you can get really comfy and chilled. It comes in a range of fun colours and designs but I love this natural look.

Get it here.

♥ Treetop Adventures

Experiences are the ideal zero-waste, eco-friendly gift. Adrenaline have vouchers available online for heaps of different activities around the country.

You can choose sailing, bike rides, horse rides and hot air ballooning as well as more extreme fun like jet boating and sky diving. I love the tree top adventures as a great family gift that involves nature, fresh air, movement and time spent together having fun.

Check them out here.

♥ Lotus and Moonstone Ring

Midsummer Star have a beautiful range of sterling silver and crystal jewellery at affordable prices. I really love this Lotus and Moonstone ring. Hot tip: Check out the sale category for some great bargains.

Get it here.

♥ Sol Reusable Glass Bottle

These new Sol glass bottles are so pretty! They are a big 750ml size and are made from glass with a silicone sleeve and bamboo lid. The glass is extremely durable as it contains a high percentage of borosilicate, making it strong, lightweight and 100% chemical free.

Get them here.

♥ Jade Face Roller

This jade crystal face roller is a traditional Chinese anti-wrinkle and anti-ageing beauty tool has been used for thousands of years. Keep it in the fridge and use it on freshly cleaned skin by itself or with a face oil. It helps to clear fluids, boost circulation, improve elasticity, boost cell renewal and improve the lymphatic system.

Sounds good huh? Check it out here.

♥ Stainless Steel Paddle Pop Maker

This safe and durable stainless steel kit is perfect for making your own healthy iceblocks or paddle pops over summer. Each set comes with a stand, six moulds, six wooden sticks and silicone rings (these hold the sticks in place for the perfect icebock).

These will last for ever and save you a fortune buying iceblocks!

Get them here.

♥ Twigseeds Diary

I am such a huge fan of Brisbane illustrator and artist, Kate Knapp. Her Twigseed range is designed to inspire and uplift in a whimsical way.

Made from eco-friendly matte paper and printed with vegetable based inks, it contains daily affirmations and gorgeous illustrations of the Twigseed characters.

Get it here.

♥ Aphrodite Candle Bowl

This is something very stunning! A beautifully hand-made ceramic bowl, lined with gold edging, hand-poured, soy wax mixed with lush pure essential oils and topped with crystals and rosebuds.

Jasmin from Lemon Canary on the Gold Coast makes these with a lot of good vibes and attention to detail. Inspired by love and the divine feminine, it has been set with intentions of happiness, love, sexuality, divinity, clarity, intuition and enlightenment.

Presented in a gift box and beautifully packaged, this candle bowl is something else! Find it here.

♥ Loving Earth Christmas Chocolate

What, you thought I was going to have a gift guide without chocolate?? It’s such a good old standby gift isn’t it? You can make it a bit healthier and a bit more special with this Loving Earth pack.

Loving Earth chocolates are fair trade, organic, gluten free and use compostable, recyclable packaging. Get it here.

Wrap

Christmas is such a wasteful time of year with so much packaging going to landfill. Check out my eco-friendly wrapping ideas to inspire you to have a more sustainable Christmas.

Where to shop

Biome Eco Store for all things good for the planet

Emporio Organico for a beautiful range of eco and luxe gifts

Flora and Fauna for all things natural and cruelty-free

Lemon Canary for beautiful, spiritual things like candles, new age, crystals, oils and perfumes

Australian Geographic Shop for educational and nature gifts

Etsy for all things handmade, unique and beautiful

Dymocks for books, books and more books

Want more?

20 Awesome Christmas Gifts for Kids

10 Must-Have Books for Christmas

Stocking Stuffer, Secret Santa Gifts under $30

10 Teacher Gifts under $30

A Natural, New Age Christmas Gift Guide

Natural and Non-Toxic Gifts for Kids and Teens

How to choose safe, non-toxic toys for kids

The Best Natural Perfumes

(this post contains some sponsored content and affiliate links)

20 Awesome Christmas Gifts for Kids

November 22, 2017 · 11 Comments

20 Awesome Christmas Gifts for Kids

I had so much fun browsing for kids’ gifts and choosing the perfect things for this year’s gift guide. I hope you love it too and get some inspiration and ideas.

A few weeks ago, I wrote about what to look for when choosing safe, non-toxic toys for your kids. Be very careful of toxins in plastics and lead in paints, in particular. Cheap toys are often made with inferior, toxic materials in countries with poor quality control. We all know kids like to put everything in their mouth, so it’s really important to find good quality, safe gifts and toys.

Here are 20 ideas to get you started!

♥ Kids’ Gratitude Journal

One of our very own natural new age mums, Rebecca Ernest, has created this brilliant journal just for kids. It’s a beautiful gift that can teach gratitude, mindfulness, self-belief, resilience and kindness in a fun and positive way.

Each page is different in design, content and layout with 365 spaces for gratitude entries with lots of prompts, positive affirmations, animal totem cards, spaces to draw, fun worksheets to do and heaps more.

Rebecca has created a truly thoughtful, quality journal. I love the spiral binding as this makes it so much easier to use and long-lasting. Find it here.

♥ Outdoor Adventure Pack

This cute pack from New Zealand company, Seedling, encourages adventure and exploration. Included is a wooden slide whistle, a wooden nature bingo game with chalk and a colour-your-own canvas satchel with markers.

Brilliant quality, ethically made and using recycled material where possible, this kit get kids out into nature and sparks imaginative play.

Get it from Meg at Sustainababy here.

♥ At My Family Table

I am so in love with this book!! I am a long-time fan of the beautiful Mandy Dos Santos, nutritionist at Little People Nutrition and mum of three. She has outdone herself with her amazing new book called ‘At My Family Table‘.

It’s a children’s story book which follows four multicultural families sharing their favourite meal around the table. Although each family is unique in appearance, family make-up and foods they eat, they all enjoy that special time around the family table eating, chatting and connecting. The family table is a place to nourish our bodies and our hearts and this book beautifully highlights that in all it’s forms.

‘At My Family Table’ is a quality hard cover book with matte pages illustrated using pencil and water colour by Kancy Ho. Get it straight from Mandy at her website here.

♥ Kinderboard

I know, I may have mentioned this a couple of times, but I think the Kinderboard is just so brilliant! These beautiful beech wood boards are a traditional Danish toy that provides hours of imaginative play. You can balance on it, rock it, push it, spin it, slide on it, use it as a stool, as a house for toys or curl up on it and rest.

Get it online here.

♥ Organic Sashiko Birds Baby Set

This beautiful bloomer and headband set is made from certified organic cotton by a clever Perth mum – Marie Helene from Organic Minikins. The sets are available in different prints or you can request a custom order in sizes from newborn to 12 months. I just love the beautiful colour and design of this Sashiko Birds set – something you don’t often see marketed for babies!

Get them here.

♥ Bamboo Rocking Horse

A lovely first Christmas gift, this bamboo rocking horse will become a treasured family heirloom. Made from renewable and sustainable bamboo and with a natural finish, it will match in with any decor.

Get it here.

♥ Pixipop Bunny Lunchbox

If you need an insulated lunchbox, these new ones from So Young are PVC free & phthalate free. Made of durable raw uncoated linen, it come with a leak proof insert for easier cleaning, bag strap and a cool flying bunny graphic on front cover. I love that these are machine washable too!

Get it here.

♥ Star Wars Reusable Cups

For the Star Wars fan *cough* nerd in your family (yep, I have two!), these Star Wars Keep Cups are the ticket. Use them for hot or cold drinks and ditch the single use cups. They come in a variety of Star Wars characters and help you fight the war on waste!

Get them here.

♥ Beneco’s Makeup

This is such an affordable brand for teenagers just getting into makeup or for kids that want to play. Perfect for experimenting without breaking the bank. My 16yo daughter is a fan of this brand and I’m happy she isn’t using something cheap and toxic.

Check it out here.

♥ Wooden Laptop Stand

This is the perfect idea for kids and teens who like to put their laptops on their laps! Keeping devices away from the body as much as possible is a much safer way to use them. It also improves the airflow around the device so it doesn’t get too hot.

Joe, the ‘Woodmeester’ from Melbourne, designs and hand makes these ergonomic stands from re-claimed solid pine. He will even imprint a name on it for you too. See the little wooden toy laptop on there with the chalkboard? He makes those for the younger kids! So cool.

Find them here.

♥ Lhami Teen Skincare Kit

Natalie at Lhami has a teenager and he told her what to put in this skincare kit! It’s getting great feedback from kids with troubled skin. I love the gender-neutral, unobtrusive packaging that doesn’t scream, “I’ve got acne!”

You get five natural, hand-made products and a cute toiletries bag and it’s 40% off! Get it from Natalie here.

♥ Macrame and Crystal DIY Kit

Macrame is so hot right now and this kit has everything the kids need to make a wall hanging for themselves! Included is 100% Australian cotton cord, a Tasmanian oak dowel, a beautiful crystal (you can choose), easy to follow instructions and a meditation to help you get the creative juices flowing!

The kits are made by a very creative mama, Katrina from the Gold Coast in Queensland. Find them here.

Under $20 for the stockings…..

♥ Happily Made Monkeys

These cute monkeys start at just $12 and are a perfect stocking stuffer! Veronica, a mum from Melbourne, supports women in developing countries with her Happily Made Monkeys’ business. The monkeys come in a range of colours are hand-made ethically in Cambodia. The hands are magnetic so you can have lots of fun hanging them around!

Get the monkeys here.

♥ Dindi Soap Animals

Handcrafted by a mum in the mountains of Victoria, these animal soaps are made from all natural ingredients and no palm oil!

Get them here.

Gift wrapping?

Christmas is one of the worst time for excess waste. We can make a difference by choosing eco-friendly gift wrap ideas.

Where to shop?

Biome Eco Store for all things good for the planet

Emporio Organico for a huge range of eco and luxe gifts

Flora and Fauna for all things natural and cruelty-free

Lemon Canary for all things candles, new age, crystals, oils and perfumes

Australian Geographic Shop for educational and nature gifts

Etsy for all things handmade, unique and beautiful

Dymocks for books, books and more books

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Last minute gift ideas (without going to the shops)

December 20, 2016 · 1 Comment

Last minute gift ideas (without going to the shops)

Okay if you have been slack and left it right to the last-minute, you still have some options without braving that Christmas Eve dash to the shops.

You just need ten minutes online and you are sorted. These ideas work well for all sorts of occasions.

Bless the internet!

♥ Gift Vouchers

Most online stores have gift vouchers and will email them to you so you can print them out or forward on to your recipient. I think gift vouchers are actually a pretty good choice when you are unsure about what to buy. There are a lot of unwanted gifts that end up in landfill!

Here are some of my favourite places that offer gift vouchers:

Beautiful Because – all natural one-stop beauty shop

Flora and Fauna – vegan beauty, body, gifts and home

Biome Eco Store – natural, eco and fair trade

Emporio Organico – luxe skincare, makeup and health products

Twenty 8 – aromatherapy and skincare

Lemon Canary – candles, new age rituals, crystals, perfumes, mists and more

Australian Geographic – nature and science gifts

Hello Charlie – everything organic baby and kids

Dymocks – Aussie owned family book store

Earthing Oz – radiation protection and earthing products

Etsy – handmade goodness

Adrenaline – for all sorts of fun experiences

♥ Subscriptions

The gift that keeps on giving every month. I often buy a magazine subscription as a gift. It takes less than five minutes to do and it’s easy to set it up to get them sent to your loved ones address. If you are not sure what magazine they would prefer, you can also get a gift card. Too easy.

These are some of my faves:

Nature and Health

Wellbeing Magazine

Australian Yoga Life

♥ Ebooks

So easy! Most ebooks have instant download as soon as you pay. Just forward on the link with a nice Christmas message. Done.

Some of my favourites:

Supercharged Food for Kids

Well Nourished recipe books

Like Chocolate for Women

♥ Oxfam Unwrapped

We love giving Oxfam Unwrapped cards. Gift your loved ones with a goat, a duck, clean water, wells and more. Check it out here.

What are your last minute gift ideas? Are you all organized or do you still have some to do?

Awesome Christmas Gifts for Kids

November 16, 2015 · Leave a Comment

Awesome Christmas Gifts for Kids

It’s nearly Christmas time again!

Today I have a list of my top picks for Christmas gifts for kids and some stocking stuffer ideas too. Things that are healthy, eco-friendly, natural and organic but always fun!

♥ Tree Blocks

I love these rustic tree blocks! They are made from plantation timber and polished with beeswax for a non-toxic finish. You get 42 blocks in an eco-friendly carry bag.

Get them online here.

♥ Play Make Up

Pure Poppet make great non-toxic play make up. This set is a Shimmer Stack and is multi purpose lip balm, eye shadow, body glitter and blusher. You can also get a make up set and nail polish sets.

Get them online here.

♥ Wooden Flower Puzzle

This cute wooden flower puzzle from Green Start is designed for kids 12 months and up. It helps develop fine motor skills and encourages imaginative play. The wood is from sustainable sources, vegetable inks are used and it comes with a recycled carry case.

Get it online here.

♥ Kids’ Puppet Theatre

I wish I had one of these when I was a kid! Encouraging creative story telling and dramatic performances, it’s made from 100% cotton and felt. Easy to assemble and fold away to store. Fun!

Get it online here.

♥ The Lorax book

You can never start too young inspiring your kids to care about the environment! The Lorax by Dr Seuss is the perfect book for doing just that. This book is the hard back, recycled paper version, so it’s extra special.

Get it here.

♥ Solar Battery Charger

Perfect for older kids and teenagers, this portable battery charger uses the power of the sun! It will charge two batteries at once.

Get it online here.

Stocking Stuffers:

♥ Gingerbread Christmas box

My kids love getting one of these every year! Made in the Blue Mountains by an Aussie family owned business, these gingerbread biccies are an assortment of Christmas shapes. Made with only the finest quality ingredients, you will find no nasty preservatives or additives and the packaging is recycled and compostable!

Get them online here.

♥ Cube Bot

Perfect for restless hands, this Cube Bot is made from natural beechwood. It’s durable wood limbs and elastic bands can be shaped into dozens of poses and when you are done, it folds up into a cube!

Get it online here.