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How to do a $10 Christmas

December 1, 2019 · Leave a Comment

How to do a $10 Christmas

We had a $10 Christmas last year and it was so wonderful, that we are adopting this tradition for ever more.

I haven’t really seen a $10 Christmas concept around so when I asked on socials if anyone was interested in hearing about it, the response was overwhelming!

So here we are, I am going to share with you our tips and gift ideas to create your own $10 Christmas tradition.

“A recent Australian survey by McCrindle Research has shown that 78.5% of Australians have received a present that they didn’t want. 13.7% of people will throw away these unwanted presents – meaning they go unused from manufacturer to landfill.” ~ Clean Up Australia

Why did we do a $10 Christmas?

Basically we were fed up with ‘stuff’ and the gross consumerism of Christmas!

As a family we have long been conscious consumers and our Christmases have always been very low-key.

Last year in December, we had decluttered, downsized and moved to a smaller house.  I suggested we cut back even further and limit gift purchases to ten dollars or under.

Luckily the family thought it was a brilliant idea. We were all keen to avoid adding loads more stuff back into our new house!

Why stress?

I know that for many people, gift giving has become a ridiculously stressful ordeal. There are expectations of a certain dollar spend, having to buy for lots of people, actually getting to the shops and doing all the shopping and then wrapping everything, having anxiety about what to buy and if the recipient will like it and use it and more! Then the credit card bill arrives in January just before the school expenses begin.

I think that all that stress, anxiety and overwhelm start to over-ride the joy of gift giving and gifts can become infused with negative energy. There was a time when kids were happy to just get an orange for Christmas in their stocking! Christmas can be simply a lovely family time to spend together and celebrate, not a huge spending spree that ends up in debt.

Keep it simple

My first tip is to scale right back and keep it very simple. We limit the gift buying to just the immediate family. This year we have decided to go even thriftier and make the gifts from each couple, not individuals.

Have a chat to the extended family and see what you can work out. Maybe you could do a $10 Kris Kringle if the aunts and uncles still want in or maybe just buy for the kids.

Cheap doesn’t mean nasty

I was very adamant that buying $10 gifts didn’t mean we were going to buy cheap AND nasty stuff. Just budget-friendly stuff!

By nasty stuff, I mean anything poor quality or novelty that will end up unused and unwanted in landfill and anything unethical that was so cheap that someone, somewhere was exploited.

Second-hand is a winner

For some reason, giving a pre-loved gift seems to come with a stigma of being stingy. Not in our family! We actively celebrate the amazing things we have found for under $10 and congratulate each other on the find.

Check out your local op shop (find my tips here for op shopping), vintage stores, buy swap and sell groups, Facebook marketplace and places like Reverse Garbage and tip shops. You can find lots of things still in original packaging if second-hand bothers you. We don’t buy anything that’s in poor condition or grotty! A quick wash or polish can be needed though.

Op shopping is a little bit harder than regular shopping as it’s lucky dip! If you can devote half a day, visit a few op shops and see what’s on offer. Many times you will find three or four op shops conveniently located together. If I am out and about on errands, I will pop in and have a quick look in my local shops to see what new stuff they have in. If you want to get really serious, visit those more affluent suburbs where the quality of donations tends to be better.

You can also regift anything received throughout the year that you don’t have a use for. I keep a basket in a cupboard for these and then either regift or donate.

Ideas for gifts $10 and under

The family and I find the challenge of gifting amazing things under $10 lots of fun! You do have to be a bit more creative and think outside the box.

Here is a list of things that we gifted each other and some other ideas you could do as well.

  • Books. Many book shops will have a great selection of books under $10 – check out those pop ups where everything is $5 or $7. My daughter found a beautiful set of animal oracle cards for $7 and I found a book on numerology for my son’s partner at QBD for $10. QBD also have a whole online section of discounted books under $10. Second hand book shops and op shops are great for books too. My mum received a brand new Food Safari cookbook from me last year and it only cost $4!
  • Toys. Depending on their age, kids won’t notice if their toy is second hand or new. Op shops always have a selection of toys, board games, sporting equipment and sometimes electronics for kids. I found my son a ‘Star Wars Family Feud’ board game for $2 which has provided us with lots of laughs. You could also hold a ‘Toy Swap’ with some friends and get free toys! Older kids and teens are able to understand the eco implications of too much stuff and hopefully will be on board with the plan. It could also be a fantastic learning tool to research things for their wish list that meet the $10 requirement. We tend to make Christmas low key and birthdays a bit more special with gifts up to $50, so that could be a new tradition in your house too that keeps the kids happy.
  • DIY Beauty Products. These are very easy and fun to make. My daughter made us all a beautiful lavender body scrub in upcycled glass jars last year. Krissy Ballinger has an awesome book, The Inspired Little Pot with all sorts of easy recipes for DIY beauty and home products including these gorgeous bath bombs. I am using her lip balm recipe to make a gift for my son’s partner this year. You can personalise it with some cute labels and different essential oils.
  • Plants. My son chose an easy option last year and just went to the local nursery and bought everyone a plant! New plants are always welcome.
  • Food. It really can be as simple as a box of chocolates, tin of special tea or basket of fresh cherries. If you have time, make a big batch of something yummy, pop it into some glass jars and whack on a Christmasy ribbon or a bit of twine and foliage. Here are 25 Real Food Homemade gift ideas to get you started.
  • DIY Gifts. Okay, this does take a bit more time and effort, but things lovingly made are such treasures. You don’t even have to be that crafty or clever – there are loads of ideas out there that are very easy to execute. Here are a few to get you inspired. It can also be as simple as a photograph or postcard in a nice frame.
  • Handmade. Have a browse around your local markets for beautiful things made by hand.
  • Eco-friendly. My favourite eco stores have whole sections online devoted to budget gifts. Check out the soaps and tote bags at Biome. 
  • Clothes and Jewellery. This is where op shops really come into their own! For this year’s Christmas, I found my son a Politix business shirt and a Mossimo t-shirt for $6 and $2.50 respectively. A quick google online shows the value of these as around $150 and $30. They are in perfect condition. I also found two nice pairs of pants for my mum for a combined total of $6.00. A few months ago, the op shop gods delivered a Spell dress for $5! I really should have saved that for my daughter for Christmas but I was too excited and gave it to her! This year she is getting a gorgeous aventurine necklace and bracelet set from the op shop which was half price and exactly $10.
  • Homewares. Again op shops and Facebook marketplace are amazing for quality homewares at a fraction of their retail price. Last week at my local op shop, I found a stainless steel coffee moka pot for $4 and an insulated drink thermos in original packaging for $6. Most kitchen shops would at least have cute coffee cups under $10.
  • Other stuff. I could keep going and be here all day, but I’ll wrap this up for you with a few other things we have gifted. I found my son a large Reebok sports bag as new for $6, my mum got me some teeny bird statues for the garden, we found a new wooden painting easel for my daughter on Facebook marketplace for $5 (although I ended up giving the lady $10 because it really was worth a lot!). 

When it comes to wrapping gifts, we use Santa Sacks (basically fabric bags in Christmas prints) that we have had for years. I pop them out on Christmas Eve and everyone adds their gifts (without peeking in!).

On Christmas morning, we all get our bag and take it in turns to pull out one gift each. It’s really lovely and mindful and we all get to see and appreciate each gift instead of it being a frenzied free for all. Here are some more ideas for eco-friendly gift wrapping.

This is my Christmas shopping all done for the year as mentioned throughout the article. Seven gifts, three op shops, two hours and all for under $45. Yes, I am loving myself sick!!! 😉

How do I get the family onboard?

I think once you explain all the benefits of a $10 Christmas to your family and present it as a fun challenge, they can see that it’s a great idea. If anyone is resistant, they are totally fine to do what they want to do but you can still go ahead with your plans to gift them a $10 gift! Here are some great tips to navigate gift giving with the extended family.

What do you think? Would you give the $10 Christmas a go? I found it so fun and so liberating. Best of all, I love that I don’t have a huge credit card bill due in January! I hope these tips and ideas have given you some inspiration and a starting point. Let me know if you have any questions!

If you are up for the challenge, I would love you to tag me on socials and show off what you’ve come up with and what your ideas are. You can also use the hashtag #atendollarchristmas

How to do a $10 Christmas 

Want to read more?

How to do a $10 Christmas 

Check out my eco-friendly tips for a very green Christmas.

Top ten tips for a Stress-Free Christmas.

Here is Lindsey from Treading My Own Path on why she completely opts out of Christmas.

Filed In: HOME / Tagged: Christmas, Christmas gift guide, Christmas gifts

The Plastic-Free Christmas Gift Guide for Kids

November 9, 2018 · 1 Comment

The Plastic-Free Christmas Gift Guide for Kids

So many of us are really making an effort to avoid plastic in all areas of our lives. Plastic isn’t always the safest material for our kids to play with either but the good news is that there are so many brilliant options.

I always try to choose quality over quantity. Things that are made with good materials, fair-trade, sustainable and durable so they have a long life and not quickly discarded to land-fill.

With that in mind, here are some of my top picks for plastic-free gifts for kids this Christmas.

 

♥ Gratitude Journal

Natural, new age mum, Rebecca has created a gorgeous gratitude journal just for kids! It’s beautiful quality with thick, art paper and a sturdy spiral binding.

As well as prompts for gratitude, there are short stories, affirmations, word searches, animal oracle cards and so much more.

Gratitude is such an empowering tool for a happy and mindful life and this journal is a gentle, positive way to share it with your kids.

Get the Gratitude Journal for Kids here.

 

♥ Insect Hotel

The wooden insect hotel is designed to stay outside in your garden and attract pollinating bees and bugs. The hotel gives insects a safe place to sleep and encourages buzzing friends.

Get the wooden insect hotel here.

♥ Bamboo Balance Kinderboard

The best-selling balance boards now come in 100% bamboo that is FSC certified and sustainably sourced.

The Kinderboard helps children develop a sense of balance, stimulate their vestibular system, and gain a deeper awareness of their body and body parts. You can rock it. Balance on it. Push it. Spin it. Flip it and slide. Sit on it or use it like a foot stool.

These sturdy boards keep energetic children engaged in creative play for hours.  The possibilities are endless and truly up to them!

Get the Bamboo Balance Board here.

♥ Rainbow Play Silks

These rainbow play silks are beautifully simple to encourage imaginative play. The silks are a large square and hand-dyed with vibrant colours using non-toxic, eco-friendly dyes.

Kids can use them as a cape, a fairy skirt, butterfly wings, as water under a boat, as fire or wind – anything their imagination comes up with. I want one for myself!

Get the Rainbow Play Silk here.

♥ Wooden Teether and Rattle

This teether and rattle is made with uncoated beech hard wood which is totally safe, biodegradable and splinter-proof. Etched with beautiful words, it’s a really sweet little gift for babies.

Get the wooden teether and rattle here.

♥ Kindness Angel

I’m so in love with this Kindness Angel. It’s something a bit different – sort of a cross between advent and elf on the shelf but with a beautiful intention of being kind and thoughtful.

The wooden Kindness Angel comes with cards suggesting small acts of kindness you could do in the days leading up to Christmas. It’s such a beautiful way to encourage our kids to think of others over the festive season.

Get the Kindness Angel Kit here.  

♥ Organic Cotton Wombat Pyjamas

So adorable!! Available in sharks or wombats, these PJs from Gather and Moss are made in Australia. They use GOTS certified organic cotton that is super safe and comfy.

Each set also comes with a set of flash cards so the kids can learn about the endangered animal featured on the pyjamas.

Get Organic Cotton Kids’ Pyjamas here.

♥ Personalised Bamboo Accessories Holder

Melbourne mum, Tina from Little Birdy makes the cutest laser cut gifts from sustainable bamboo. She has all sorts of things from door plaques to Christmas decorations but I really love this pretty accessories holder that you can personalise with your child’s name.

Check out the Bamboo Accessories Holder here.

 

♥ Crystal Affirmation Kit

Kids of all ages seem to love crystals so this gift will be a winner. Beautifully designed by Brisbane mum Amie from Growing Kind, the kit comes with eight crystals and eight affirmation cards in a drawstring bag.

Get the Crystal Affirmation Kit here.

 

♥ Koji Crochet Penguin

With so many mass-produced toys, it’s really lovely to find something hand-made. This crochet penguin is made by disadvantaged women in Vietnam and provides them with an income.

It’s so cute and perfect for a stocking stuffer.

Get Koji Crochet Penguin here.

♥ Planet Finska Copacabana Game

Get the kids off the screens and playing outside! Planet Finska are an Aussie company famous for their old-fashioned, good-quality wooden games that are designed to last a lifetime.

This copacabana game (also called frescobol) is a beach paddle game, famously played in Brazil and something a bit different!

Get the Planet Finska Copacabana Game here.

♥ Sienna Natural Nail Polish

My teenager loves Sienna nail polishes! Hand-made in Byron Bay by a small, ethical business, they are committed to producing safe and non-toxic nail products with an ethical and environmental focus. There is a huge range of beautiful colours to choose from.

Get Sienna Natural Nail Polish 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.

 

Want more?

How to choose safe, non-toxic toys for kids

My Top 20 Christmas Gift Ideas 2018

20 Awesome Christmas Gifts for Kids

10 Must-Have Books for Christmas

Stocking Stuffer, Secret Santa Gifts under $30

10 Teacher Gifts under $30

All my gift guides

The Plastic-Free Christmas Gift Guide for Kids

(parts of this article are sponsored)

Filed In: FAMILY / Tagged: Christmas, Christmas gift guide, plastic free, plastic free Christmas, plastic free gifts, Xmas

My top 20 gift ideas for Christmas

November 5, 2018 · 2 Comments

My top 20 gift ideas for Christmas

It doesn’t feel that long ago that I was showing my favourite gifts for Christmas last year! I hope you love this year’s top 20 picks for Christmas as much as I do. Let me know what you think.

A huge shout out to my incredible sponsors and affiliate partners for giving us all some very nice discount codes to help with the Christmas shopping budget. Thank you!

Keep an eye out in the next few days for my kid’s Christmas gift guide too.

♥ Creation Diamond® Pendant

Anna and LJ are gorgeous sisters from Love is Your Compass and this year they have added a stunning pendant to their offerings. The Creation Diamond® is a sacred tool for harnessing intention as a daily ritual.

Consciously set an intention for the day, intuitively select a crystal to support that intention and then wear it close to your heart in the pendant that symbolises your diamond-shaped energy field. The Creation Diamond® pendant and chain is sterling silver and presented with your choice of three crystals in a gorgeous linen bag and gift box.

Get the the Creation Diamond® pendant here.

♥ MG Naturals Lipstick

If you are after a truly natural, high quality lipstick, Kailah at MG Naturals has you covered! These lippies are organic, vegan and specially formulated to be vibrantly pigmented & super nourishing for your lips.

All of the MG Naturals lipsticks contain absolutely no dyes or colourants and are made with pure mineral pigments – no added micas or titanium dioxide. Hand-crafted and poured in small batches to ensure purity and quality, there are six luscious shades to choose from.

Get MG Naturals Lipstick here.

♥ Loving Herself Whole Book

Loving Herself Whole by natural, new age mum Laura Gillett is a gorgeous little gift book for anyone wanting to connect further with their own spiritual journey.

The book is a collection of guided messages and insights into spiritual awakening, collected from Laura’s personal journals over the past decade. Laura has opened her heart and shared this wisdom with the intention of inspiring women, mothers, wives and daughters going through their own transformation.

It’s heartfelt, wise and poetic and both my daughter and I resonated strongly with many of the messages. A special, special gift.

Get Loving Herself Whole book here.

♥ EverEscents Organic Hair Care Pack

EverEscents have some great hair care gift packs for Christmas! There are seven variations to choose from to suit your hair type and all contain an organic shampoo, conditioner and deep treatment.

EverEscents have been making their salon quality certified organic products for over ten years on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. They use only the absolute best natural ingredients including plant extracts and pure essential oils and everything is vegan friendly, cruelty fee and carbon neutral.

Get EverEscents Organic Hair Care Pack here.

♥ Shakti Head Pillow

I love my Shakti Mat! They are a perfect gift for the hard to buy for person. Shakti Mats now have a pillow which is designed for the head, neck and shoulders area but you can also use it under your legs or in the lower back area as well if you want! Use the pillow lying down, sitting in a chair or on the couch and with or without the shakti mat.

Ethically hand-made with organic cotton and recyclable non-toxic plastic, the Shakti Head Pillow works using acupressure points. It’s an easy, inexpensive way to relieve stress, release tight, sore muscles, increase circulation and improve sleep!

Get the Shakti Head Pillow here.

♥ Amazing Face Trio

Amazing Oils has just released their new range of skincare, Amazing Face Trio! I am a huge fan of their amazing magnesium moisturiser (it’s got new packaging) so I was keen to try out the new products.

I have been trialling them for a few weeks and I am hooked. It’s been formulated with top quality organic, bio-active ingredients like quandong, lilly pilly and kakadu plum (that also smell sublime!) The three-step system leaves my skin feeling so fresh, hydrated and soft and you only need to use the tiniest bit, so it’s very affordable.

The Amazing Face Trio pack includes a Face Off cleansing gel, Skin Food brightening serum and No More Bags eye cream. There are absolutely no nasties, sulphate or parabens and the range is cruelty free and made in Australia.

Get the Amazing Face Trio here.

♥ Wonderbag

The Wonderbag is the ultimate in eco-friendly cooking and makes a very unique gift. The Wonderbag slow cooks your food, electricity free!

All you do is bring your food to a boil, pop the pot into the Wonderbag, seal it up and let it do its thing. The heat-retention design will keep it slow-cooking for up eight hours, although most things only need one to two hours to cook.

It’s much safer than leaving appliances on all day and it will save you between 30 and 80% of the energy you usually use in cooking. I love that it’s portable too – perfect to take with you on picnics and barbeques.

When you are not using it to slow cook, you can also use it to keep food warm, cook rice, make yoghurt and proof bread and it’s insulation makes it a perfect cooler bag for drinks and food too.

Western Australian mum, Lisa, is the Aussie stockist of Wonderbag and has four beautiful designs to choose from. I do love the ocean blue though!

Get the Wonderbag here.

♥ Milk and Love Christmas Gift Box

Brisbane mum, Corryn from Milk and Love, has curated these gorgeous gift boxes ready for Christmas. They are great for new mums but anyone would love them!

Milk and Love is a gorgeous boutique store specialising in natural products for pregnancy, breastfeeding and babies.

There are a three Christmas boxes to choose from or you can create your own. This one featured includes a deluxe Turkish beach towel, a healing bath soak, coconut body butter, a beautiful journal, stainless steel reusable coffee cup and a reusable shopping bag.

Get Milk and Love Christmas Gift Boxes here.

♥ Waters Co Water Filter

I’ve had my Waters Co Water Filter for over five years now and I love it! As well as re-mineralising and ionising ordinary tap water, they filter out chlorine, chemicals, heavy metals, fluoride & bacteria.

The water tastes incredibly pure and fresh and it’s much more eco-friendly than buying bottled water!

Get your Waters Co Water Filter here.  

♥ Glass Hand Drip Coffee Maker

I have seen these coffee makers in all the cool cafes! They would make an awesome gift for the coffee lover.

Made from glass and stainless steel, the hand drip coffee maker produces a beautiful eco-friendly coffee. The functional design includes a polished wood collar (with twine tie), stainless steel micro mesh filter and glass body.

Get the Glass Hand Drip Coffee Maker here.  For 10% off use the code: NNAM-XMAS until the 18th of November!

 

♥ Soul Glass Water Bottle

Being eco-friendly has never been so stylish. I love all of the Soul Bottle prints but this gorgeous purple lotus, Just Breath is my favourite.

Completely plastic free, made from recycled glass and beautifully designed, these bottles are leak proof, vegan and carbon neutral too!

Get Soul Glass Water Bottles here.

♥ Vintage Jar Aromatherapy Candles

These candles are made with recycled, one of a kind vintage jars and filled with pure soy wax and 100% pure organic essential oils. Choose your size and essential oil blend and Gold Coast mum, Fiona will hand-pour it for you.

Get Vintage Jar Aromatherapy Candles here. FREE shipping on all orders over $50!

Bokashi composter australia

♥ Bokashi Composter

With an increased awareness of reducing the waste we send to landfill, many of us are thinking about practical solutions. Bokashi One are a small compact composting system you can use in the kitchen.

The Bokashi is great as an introduction to composting or if you have a lack of space for a big composting system. You get a Bokashi One Bucket and Bokashi One Mix which work together to transform your food waste into useful compost and liquid fertilizer, without the yucky smell!

Get the Bokashi Composter here. 

♥ Sol Aromatherapy Diffuser

I love the glass and bamboo style of this aromatherapy diffuser. It has minimal plastic parts and will diffuse your essential oils without heat or chemicals.

Use it for fragrance, aromatherapy, humidifying, and negative air ionising for a continuous eight hours.

Get the Sol Aromatherapy Diffuser here.  For 10% off until the 18th of November, use the code: NNAM-XMAS

♥ The Wild Offering Oracle Cards

With 52 beautifully illustrated cards, this oracle deck helps you to see yourself in a new light – the Divine Light of Self Love. Each card focuses on a different situation such as ambition, money, regrets, solitude, ageing, travel and truth.   

You choose how to use the cards: as an oracle where the Divine guides you to a specific card; to carry or put on an altar as a reminder to reflect on an issue; or in any way you are drawn.

Get The Wild Offering Oracle Cards here. 

♥ The Art of Self Love

This beautiful book by aromatherapist and mum, Kim Morrison shows you how to fall in love with taking care of yourself; mind, body and soul.

Kim draws on her own life experiences and wisdom to give us a step-by-step guide to help navigate the struggles of life with courage, grace, strength, and dignity.

Get The Art of Self Love here.

♥ Organic Cotton Straw Pouch

Keep your reusable straws and cutlery handy in this hand-made organic cotton pouch. I love this phases of the moon print by Amy Jade Creations. There is also a matching hanky!

Get the Organic Cotton Straw Pouch 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.

 

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

How to choose safe, non-toxic toys for kids

The Best Natural Perfumes

All my gift guides

 

{this post contains sponsored content}

Filed In: FAMILY / Tagged: Christmas, Christmas gift guide, Christmas gifts, Christmas present

Pomegranate, Lime and Mint Fizz

December 15, 2017 · 1 Comment

Pomegranate, Lime and Mint Fizz

 

We got a Soda Stream last year for Christmas and it’s the best thing ever!

As we don’t drink alcohol anymore (too many health issues) and we are keeping our sugar intake low, sparkling mineral water with lots of ice and fresh lime makes us feel like we are having a bit of a special drink.

It’s also much more eco-friendly and economical to make your own mineral water at home, so there are wins all round.

I created this fizzy drink quite randomly – I had some pomegranate juice leftover from a recipe and I wondered what it would taste like mixed with some lime and mint. Ta da – it tastes delicious.

I love that it’s not sweet and sickly, but it is very refreshing and tangy. For those who want a bit of a kick, I reckon a dash of vodka would go more than alright.

I found an organic brand of pomegranate juice at Woolies – Nuris. It has not been reconstituted and it’s not too expensive. You could do fresh pommy juice too if you have a juicer.

 

This is what you do:

For each glass you are making add….

a generous portion of ice

1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice (about half a small lime)

2 large mint leaves, finely shredded

4 tablespoons (1/4 cup) pomegranate juice

top up with sparkling mineral water (about 200mL)

 

 

If you want to be extra-fancy, you can muddle (bartender lingo for mashing with a wooden stick thingo) the lime wedge and mint in the bottom of the glass first.

You can also decorate with some lime wedges and mint sprigs. A reusable straw is also fun – my kids love using straws!

It’s such a festive drink and really quenches your thirst.

I hope you love it as much as we do!!

Get Soda Stream here >>

 

 

 

 

Filed In: FOOD / Tagged: Christmas, Christmas drink, christmas food, cocktail, drink, lime, mineral water, mint, mocktail, pomegranate, soda stream, soft drink

The NNAM Cracker Christmas Giveaway 2017

December 5, 2017 · 292 Comments

The NNAM Cracker Christmas Giveaway 2017

It’s baaaaaack!

You all loved it so much last year, the Cracker Christmas Giveaway is back again this year.

I have teamed up with some amazingly generous people to spoil you with some epic prizes worth over $1000.

All of these beautiful prizes would also make great Christmas gifts, so do check out the links I have there for you. If you can support an Aussie small business this Christmas, I know they will just love you for it.

Okay, here are the goodies. Enjoy and good luck!

  ♥ 123 Nourish Me Calm Kids Box

Friends Alisa and Danni have mums of Australia in love with them since the release of their 123 Nourish Me products. The feedback and reviews are glowing!

Alisa and Danni have kindly donated a Calm Kids box for one of you to win. In the box is their best-selling Sleepy Head Balm, Chest Rub and Magic Bath Wash.

They are made from all natural and organic ingredients including the highest quality essential oils. There are no harsh chemical, petroleum, mineral oils or artificial fragrance.

Check out all the 123 Nourish Me products here.

♥ Amazing Oils Vanity Pack

I am a huge fan of these two products – Amazing Oils Ugly Bits Stick and Skin Facial Moisturising Treatment. I have raved about them both on the website before. The team at Amazing Oils has changed up the packaging to orange instead of blue but it’s still the same awesome products inside.

The Ugly Bits Stick is great for skin tags, blemishes and spots. The moisturiser is one of the best I have ever used and has helped even out my skin tone and wrinkles.

Many thanks to the Harold family for giving away one Amazing Oils Vanity Pack to one of you!

Check it out here.

 

♥ Solidtekniks 22cm Sauteuse Pan

The hottest pans in town! Solidtekniks are the brilliant Aussie-made and owned iron cooking pots and pans and you can win one of your own. With thanks to Mark Henry and his team, we are giving away a 22cm sauteuse pan.

This pan has a lifetime guarantee and will become an heirloom piece. They are a healthy, non-toxic and durable piece of cookware – you can’t wreck this one. Brilliant for all non-stick cooking once you have seasoned it, you can also cook cakes in this sauteuse pan.

Check out the range here. 

♥ Lhami Essential Oil Set

This essential oils set is divine and makes a very special gift. Four beautiful signature blends from Natalie at Lhami including Clarity, Relax, Refresh and Calm all in a beautiful wooden box. They are the purest quality, certified organic oils blended for the aromatic benefits.

Get it (on sale) here.

♥ Rainbow Sensory Sound Blocks

How pretty are these rainbow sensory sound blocks? Made ethically from safe materials, these blocks also have colour and sound to engage the senses.  Use as rattles from a young age and progress up to rolling, stacking, sorting and building. They all fit together in the outer case so it also becomes a jigsaw.

This block set is from the brilliant online toy store, Eco Toys and Melinda is kindly giving away one set to one of you. See it here.

 

♥ IME Perfume Collection Pack

Tonia makes such beautiful, non-toxic perfumes! You can win an IME Perfume Collection Pack which is one of everything in the range. Tonia has a background in natural therapies and is master perfumer and she has designed these perfumes so you can choose by muse, mood, colour or scent.

With only 100% pure natural, non toxic ingredients, IME perfume is the perfect gift.

Find them here.

 

♥ Life Changing Food Cook Book

Jo Whitton from Quirky Cooking and chef Fouad Kassab have teamed up to share over 100 of their best whole food recipes. Every recipe is gluten free and most recipes suit Paleo and GAPS diets. There are dairy-free, egg-free, nut-free, vegan and vegetarian variations where possible and a focus on gut healing foods.

It’s a truly beautiful hard cover book with stunning photography and design. I love my copy and Jo and Foo are kindly giving away a copy to one of you.

Get it here.

 

♥ Avanti Spiretti

This spiraliser from Avanti is a three-in-one machine so you can make slices and two thicknesses of spirals with three interchangeable blades. There are suction feet and an easy to turn handle that makes it safe and a breeze to use.

With thanks to Joanne at Shop Naturally, one of you will be winning your own!

Find it (on sale) here.

 

♥ Parker Unisex Safety Razor

With thanks to Tracey at Biome Eco Store, you can win a Parker Unisex Safety Razor and pack of blades. These safety razors are the stylish way to say goodbye to disposable plastic razors for good!

Parker Safety Razor products are hand crafted and made from brass and plated in chrome for a hard-wearing finish. The blades are fully recyclable so this is the most eco-friendly way to shave. Please note, the prize is this razor and slightly different to the one pictured (which is the one I got myself for Christmas!!)

See them here.

♥ Erica Brooke Deodorant Pack

My favourite deodorant! The lovely Erica is kindly giving away three of her natural deodorants to one of you. There are two 70g deodorants and a sample pot of the new gentle bicar- free version for you to try. Packaged in amber glass jars, Erica uses all natural organic ingredients and pure essential oils to keep your pits smelling fresh all day.

Check them out here.

 

♥ Karen Murrell Lip Palette

Karen Murell is a beautiful natural make up range from New Zealand. This lip palette has five lush colours with a lip brush. The lipstick is all natural, nourishing and with long-lasting colour.  Kitsa at Emporio Organico is your one-stop shop for luxe natural skincare and make up and is kindly giving away this lip palette to one of you!

Get it here.

♥ Karmic Star Chakra Goddess Necklace

Karina hand-makes stunning crystal jewellery at Karmic Star and she is kindly giving away this Chakra Goddess Necklace to one of you! Using 100% recycled sterling silver wire, crystal beads and hemp cord, this necklace signifies the stunning colours of the chakras.

Karina infuses each piece she makes with love and positivity. Her creations are cleansed with water, smudged with incense (air), bathed in sunlight (fire), and spends time on her altar to ground (earth). They are then charged under the light of a Full Moon before being released into the world to find their new keeper. Divine!

Check out all Karina’s jewellery here.

♥ Eco Tan Duo Pack

Nina at Beautiful Because has an amazing range of natural beauty products. She is kindly giving away this Eco Tan Glow Pack to one of you. You get an organic Eco Tan Invisible Tan and Exfoliating Glove in a calico bag gift pack.

Invisible Tan is an organic moisturising self-tanner that nourishes your skin without any synthetic or toxic ingredients.  The Extreme Exfoliant glove will help you prepare your skin for tanning.  My daughter uses these products and loves them!

Check it out here.

 

♥ Fearsome Bear Bottle and Lunch Bag

Fearsome bottles and lunch bags are stocked exclusively by Julie at Flora and Fauna and she kindly giving away this set.  In wolf, leopard, black cat and dog patterns as well as this gorgeous bear.

The 500ml bottle is insulated twin wall stainless steel and the bag is made from easy to wash neoprene. What a cute way to be eco-friendly and fight the war on waste!

Check out the range here.

 

♥ Love Tea Cup and Heart Chakra Tea from SpiritualiTEA

Naturopath and Herbalist, Cheryl Brady has formulated an amazing range of SpiritualiTEA chakra herbal teas. She is kindly giving away a tin of the Heart Chakra green tea and this bone china, gold plated LOVE tea cup and saucer.

You have to go and have a look at her shop!! As well as a gorgeous tea for balancing every chakra, there are some stunning tea cups and mugs that make brilliant gifts.

See the goodies here.

 

♥ The Chocolate Yogi Chocolate Lover’s Hamper

The Chocolate Yogi are kindly giving away this Chocolate Lover’s Hamper to one of you!!  Everything is vegan, gluten free, dairy free and soy free.

Malindi has put together some awesome hampers for Christmas, starting at just $16.95. They all come with a gift box, gift card and a no-melt guarantee insulation. With donations made to Sea Shepherd and The Orangutan Project, eating this chocolate is an extra feel good experience.

Check out all the hampers here.

 

How to enter:

This giveaway has now closed.

 

The lucky winners are:

Laura Power – Fearsome Bear Bag and Bottle

Lisa Murray – Karmic Star chakra goddess necklace

Lia Thede- Erica Brooke deodorant pack

Rebecca – Karen Murrell lipstick palette

Laura Kirk – SpiritualiTEA tea and love cup

Sue Lilywhite – Amazing Oils Vanity Pack

Kellie Moore – Parker razor

Sue Hills – Life Changing Food Cookbook

Janelle Utting –  IME perfumes

Fiona Connan – Rainbow sensory sound blocks

Kylie Smith – Chocolate Yogi hamper

Rachel Durkin – Avanti spiraliser

Sharni Montgomery – Solideteknics pan

Stephanie Fleeton – Calm Kids Box

Bec Sherman – Lhami essential oils

Stacey Shailer – Eco Tan pack

 

This giveaway is a multi-draw so by entering, you may win any one of the awesome prizes shown.

♥ Leave a comment on this blog post, letting us know one of your family’s Christmas traditions (or if you don’t celebrate Christmas, one of your family’s favourite things to do together at any time of year)

♥ If you would like, let us know your top four prize preferences as well (but of course, we cannot make any guarantees!)

♥ Share this post at least once using the share buttons below.

 

Never miss a thing at Natural New Age Mum. Get the weekly newsletter here.

 

Terms and Conditions:

This giveaway finishes on Sunday the 10th of December at midnight AEST. The winners will be chosen using a random number generator from those meeting the entry conditions. There are 16 prizes to win and there will be 16 winners. Prizes are allocated to the winners randomly. Please provide a current email address when you leave your comment (not made public) so I am able to contact you when you win. Sorry, only those with an Australian residential address are able to enter. Good luck!

 

 

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Filed In: FAMILY, HOME / Tagged: Christmas, Christmas gift guide, christmas giveaway, competition, gift guide, giveaway, prizes, win

10 must-have books for Christmas

November 30, 2017 · 4 Comments

10 must-have books for Christmas

10 must-have books for Christmas

Let’s be clear here that when I say must-have I mean, I must have them!!

This is actually my Christmas book wish list. A girl can dream, right?

I wanted to share these awesome books in my Christmas gift guide but I ran out of room so they had to have their own gift guide.

In this world of technology, reading a real life book (without a screen that distorts your hormones), is one of life’s simple pleasures.

So here are my ten picks of the best books around this year for Christmas. Let me know what you think and also let me know some of your favourite books in the comments to add to our list!

 

♥ Earth Healing

If you’re worried about the state of Mother Earth but aren’t sure what you can do to actually make a difference, this book is for you! Dr Mahdi Mason shares with us simple and practical ways we can all start giving back to the environment on a daily basis – physically and metaphysically.

In this unique book, you will find strategies to help the environment and wildlife, ideas on how to support the earth energetically and how to become an environmental leader. It will inspire you to take action and get back in touch with the earth.

Mahdi is a land and property healer, international author, speaker and environmental consultant from Brisbane. She is a leading voice on the topic of earth healing and has an in-depth understanding of both corporate environments and alternative healing practices.

Get the book from Mahdi’s website here.

 

♥ The Art of Simple

I love the whole food recipes that Eleanor Ozich creates and can’t wait to take a peek at her new book, The Art of Simple. Eleanor shares recipes and ideas she has embraced in her quest to cherish life’s simple pleasures.  There is nourishing food, practical help to declutter your home and recipes for natural cleaning and beauty products.

Get it here.

 

 ♥ Crystal Muse

A book of ‘crystal recipes’ to shift your energy field and empower your life. You can learn how to connect with crystals and use them in your life with daily rituals.

Find it here.

 

♥ The Garden Apothecary

Herb nerd and naturopath, Reece Carter shares 40 recipes for natural, healing remedies. With things from your garden and pantry, you can make tinctures and ointments to relieve a range of common ailments.

Get it here.

 

♥ Wholesome Child

Aussie mum and nutritionist, Mandy Sacher shares her strategies and easy, nourishing recipes for healthy family eating. Get help with fussy eaters and try some of her whole food recipes.

Get it here.

 

 

 


♥ Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls

This book is a best seller and taking the world by storm!  Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls tells the stories of one hundred remarkable women and their extraordinary lives, from Ada Lovelace to Malala, Amelia Earhart to Michelle Obama. Empowering, moving and inspirational, these are true fairy tales for heroines who definitely don’t need rescuing.

Get it here.

 

♥ The Sun and her Flowers

You may have seen the poetry and illustrations of Rupi Kaur on social media. This is Rupi’s second book, following on from Milk and Honey.  The Sun and her Flowers is a journey of wilting, falling, rooting, rising and blooming. It is a celebration of love in all its forms.

Get it here.

 

♥ Hungry and Fussy

Over 100 recipes for sweet and savoury gluten-free baking by Helen Tzouganatos. There are also thermomix variations. Get in my belly!

Find it here.

♥ Kindness – The Little Thing That Matters Most

Jaime Thurston shares 52 simple actions you can do to spread kindness in her new book. There are also inspirational quotes, stories and heaps more.

Get it here.

 

♥ Finding Gobi

Available in an adults and a children’s version, Finding Gobi is a heart-warming true story about a marathon runner who was inspired and motivated by a stray dog in the Gobi desert.

Get it here.

 

 

 

Where to shop:

Dymocks  

Angus and Robertson

Booktopia

The Book Depository 

 

 

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Filed In: FAMILY, HOME / Tagged: book, books, Christmas, Christmas gift guide, gift guide

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

 

 

 

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Filed In: FAMILY, HOME / Tagged: Christmas, Christmas gift, Christmas gift guide, Christmas present, eco gifts, eco-friendly gifts, fair trade gifts, gifts for her, gifts for him, healthy gifts, organic gifts

20 Awesome Christmas Gifts for Kids

November 22, 2017 · 11 Comments

20 Awesome Christmas Gifts for Kids

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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Filed In: FAMILY, HOME / Tagged: Christmas, Christmas gift, Christmas gift guide, Christmas present, gift, gift guide, gift ideas, giving, present, Xmas

The bumper list of natural Advent Calendar ideas

November 9, 2017 · 1 Comment

The bumper list of natural Advent Calendar ideas

The bumper list of natural Advent Calendar ideas

Advent itself is a Christian tradition but advent calendars came from a German tradition in the mid 19th century. Chalk marks were made on a wall or candles were lit to countdown the days until Christmas.

In the early 1900s the advent calendar became a cardboard calendar with doors that opened showing Christmas scenes. Of course these days, it’s marketed with licensed character calendars and cheap chocolate!

I think harking back to simple and slow traditions with our families is so special. Winding down the pace, being grateful, not greedy and revelling in family fun instead of just more ‘stuff’ for the sake of it. Practised in this way, the countdown to Christmas with an advent calendar can become a wonderful family tradition full of special memories.

Advent calendars can take on any form you like.  The main idea is to have the numbers 1-24 representing the days of December up until Christmas.  Each day is marked off, acknowledged or something opened to reveal a surprise.

 

Ideas for Advent Calendars

Let your imagination run wild! There are so many fun ideas. You can make up easy advent calendars every year or invest in a wooden or fabric calendar to re-use over and over again.

You could use paper bags with pegs hung on some twine, glass jars covered in hessian to hide the contents, toilet rolls glued together or a large tree branch with wrapped and numbered parcels.

Here is some inspiration for you:

 

♥ Handmade Fabric Advent Bags

Make up some cute little drawstring fabric bags or buy them already made and numbered. These gorgeous ones are hand-made in Sydney from linen cotton and drawstring and you can personalise them too if you want. Hang them from an old ladder, a branch or string across a wall. Get them here.

♥ Wooden Advent Calendar

Hunt around craft stores and buy a wooden advent box to decorate yourself. You could also get one hand-made and decorated for you from Sydney based mum Hannah here. She will even personalise it for you.

♥ DIY Toilet Roll Advent Calendar

Okay, this is actually not that hard to do! It looks super cute as well. Find the details here.

♥ Book Advent Calendar

Simply wrap some books and display. I love this gorgeous array with a natural look from My Book Bloom. You can stick with a Christmas theme or just choose any books. Head to the op shop or library to get some books or use what you already have at home for a frugal option. You might also like to include a few new ones.

♥ Natural Leaf Advent Calendar 

If super simple and natural is your style, you can’t beat this sweet idea from Tricia at Little Eco Footprint. Just take down a leaf every day!

 

Ideas for things to put in the Advent Calendar

There are so many great ideas for things to put in advent calendars. It does not have to be cheap chocolate or expensive gifts. Here is some inspiration to get you started.

Schedule in the parties and events you have to attend and use them as a family activity for that day. Work in other activities around it. Don’t have too many activities or you may end up exhausted. Pace yourself! Simple is best and don’t forget, you can always shuffle things around if things don’t work out as planned.

Small Advent Gifts:

♥ Crystals

♥ Playdough

♥ Coins

♥ Small stationery items (hey, you were going to have buy back to school stuff anyway!)

♥ Dried fruit

♥ Worry dolls

♥ Pet rocks

♥ Christmas felt finger puppets

♥ Small educational toys

♥ Natural Gingerbread 

♥ Chocolate (the little healthier chocolate orangutans are super cute)

♥ Jigsaw (pop a piece a day in the calendar and complete the jigsaw over the 24 days)

♥ Packets of vegetable or flower seeds

♥ Items that make up a nativity scene or a Christmas centrepiece

♥ A bamboo toothbrush

♥ Christmas Eve’s surprise could be a treasure hunt with clues leading to a gift of new pyjamas and a Christmas movie to watch

 

Family Activities: 

♥ Decorate or make a natural Gingerbread House

♥ Decorate the Christmas tree

♥ Watch a Christmas movie

♥ Drive around and see the Christmas lights

♥ Go to the library and choose some Christmas books

♥ Snuggle up in bed and read a Christmas book

♥ Dance around the house to Christmas carols

♥ Go to a Christmas pageant, parade or party (schedule in the events on the appropriate days)

♥ Go Christmas shopping

♥ Get Santa photos taken

♥ Have a popcorn summer snow fight

♥ Go to the beach and make sand angels

♥ Make up some original Christmas stories, poems, plays or songs and share them in a home concert

 

Things to make and do:

♥ Make some Christmas decorations for the tree or to decorate your room

♥ Funny Christmas jokes (What do you get if you eat Christmas decorations? Tinselitis!) 😛

♥ Make some Reindeer Food (NNAM style)

♥ Do some nature Christmas crafts

♥ Make Christmas cards for family and friends

♥ Make wrapping paper and gift tags

♥ Write a letter to santa

♥ Do some Christmas baking

♥ Make some Christmas play dough – use natural food colourings

♥ Make some bonbons for the Christmas table

♥ Make some Christmas book marks

♥ Print off some Christmas colouring in pages and colour them in

 

Acts of Kindess:

♥ Clean out the toy box and choose some to donate to charity

♥ Pop on some Christmas outfits and clean up the litter on the beach (invite your friends!)

♥ Do some Christmas baking, wrap it up nicely and share with someone special

♥ Buy some pet food and take it to an animal shelter

♥ Go shopping for gifts for a Christmas appeal like The Smith Family Toy and Book Appeal

♥ Check out some more ideas from my very kind friend, Lorraine at Acts of Random Kleindschmidts

 

Something Different:

 

♥ A Reverse Advent Calendar

Get a box or basket and pop something in it every day for those in need.

 

♥ Gratitude Advent

Write down things you are grateful for every day and put them in a jar.

 

What do you do for advent calendars?? Leave us a comment with your ideas!

 

 

Filed In: FAMILY / Tagged: advent, advent activities, advent calendar, calendar, Christmas, eco Christmas, eco-friendly christmas

8 Eco-friendly Gift Wrap Ideas

December 5, 2016 · 18 Comments

8 Eco-friendly Gift Wrap Ideas

 

One thing that always manages to freak out my eco-sensibilities is gift wrapping. It’s really only used for such a short amount of time and then it’s in the bin!!

This is an area where we can all make a big impact and use some eco-friendly alternatives, especially at Christmas time when we are wrapping up lots of gifts.

Are you up for the challenge to reduce your paper waste??

First things first, hunt around the house to find stuff you already have that could be used. Save ribbons, twine, tags, cards, gift bags and paper throughout the year. Okay, I may be a bit lame but I actually have a dedicated box for all of these goodies I want to re-use!

Check out these eco-friendly gift wrapping ideas.

 

Santa Sacks

♥ Santa Sacks

A few years ago, I got my friend to make up some santa sacks for hubby and I. The kids already had one each they had been given when they were little. They are so funky and it has cut our paper wastage enormously! On Christmas morning, we take it in turns to each take one gift out of the sack at a time.

You can often find people selling santa sacks at the markets or check out Etsy. You can extend this idea to birthdays and make or buy a ‘birthday sack’ to use every year. We have a few cute fabric bags we keep for birthdays.

You will never have to wrap another gift again. Just take 3o seconds to put gifts in a bag. Done!

 

Tea Towel Wrapped Gift

♥ Fabric

Wrap gifts in something reusable and useful, like a scarf, tea towel or doilies. Kookery shows you how to do it step by step. If you want to go extra eco-hero, choose items from the op-shop.

If you want to get really fancy, check out how to do Furoshiki (the art of Japanese fabric wrapping) or just use a square of fabric or hessian for a really rustic look.

 

Upcycled Maps and Sheet Music

♥ Upcycled Paper

You can upcycle old maps, sewing patterns, newspaper, brown paper, sheet music, old calendars, magazines, comics or kids’ artwork. You could also cover a cardboard box with any of these and use every year as a personalised Christmas or birthday box! What about getting the kids to make their own?

Check out this gorgeous idea from Laura at Bugs and Fishes pictured above. Tres chic!

 

loqi-reusable-shopping-bag-hokusai-wave

♥ Reusable Shopping Bags

I buy these a lot for gift giving. It’s really double the love as the reusable shopping bags will (hopefully) be used again and again. I particularly like these Loki fold up bags (pictured) that come in a beautiful range of arty prints, but also check out the op shops and stores selling calico bags too.

4myearth-food-bag

♥ Reusables from 4 My Earth

The snack pockets, wraps and food bags from 4 My Earth also make an excellent eco-friendly gift wrap. They can then be used in lunch boxes, for food storage, as a toiletries bag and so many other things. We have so many of these and we love them!

 

♥ Jars, pots, tins and baskets

Really, anything you can think of can be used to hold gifts. Head to the op shop and see what you can find. Pretty them up with ribbon, paint, twine and a few embellishments. Pinterest has loads of ideas for you.

 

♥ Recycled Wrap

If you really love to use wrapping paper, choose one which is eco-friendly and recycled like the gorgeous ones at Earth Greetings.

 

crochet-christmas

♥ The Trimmings

There are so many eco-friendly things you can use to trim gifts. I always save gorgeous ribbon and twine for reuse. Head outdoors and find some leaves, lavender stems, feathers, gum nuts, twigs, flowers, herbs, pine cones or shells.

If you are crafty you could make some paper flowers or bows or upcycle Christmas ornaments.  I really love these crochet decorations on Etsy – divine! I have even seen cute things like pencils, vintage cutlery, bamboo cutlery, photos, brooches, earrings and clothes pegs used to trim gifts.

Gift tags can be as easy as upcycled cards from last year, cut down into shape or a piece of cardboard decorated with stamping or washi tape. I also adore these handmade clay tags from Brisbane artist Kylie Johnson.

 

Ended up with wrapping paper?

If you do end up with wrapping paper, recycle everything you can, keep it for next year or upcycle it into something new. Keep in mind that you can’t recycle plastic or foil wrapping paper so avoid that at all costs!

 

What other tips do you have? Share with us!

 

 

Filed In: HOME / Tagged: birthday, Christmas, eco friendly, gift, gift wrap, gifting, present, recycling, reusing, sustainable, upcycling, wrap

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