20 Gorgeous Gifts for Mother’s Day

April 23, 2018 · 4 Comments

20 Gorgeous Gifts for Mother’s Day

I really didn’t think I could outdo last year’s Mother’s Day gift guide. It had so many beautiful gift ideas and you all loved it. But, I think this year I have just surpassed it. Just.

What’s so wonderful is that more people are finding the value in good quality, ethical, hand-made products instead of cheap stuff that ends up in landfill.

I also love supporting Aussie small businesses that are going against the grain and following their passion to create and provide us with unique and beautiful things.

I have been able to get some discount codes on a lot of these gifts for you and really appreciate working with these generous businesses to show you their wares.

I hope you enjoy it. Let me know what you think!

♥ Waterfall Bamboo Cardigan

This stylish light-weight cardigan is so versatile. You can wear it in all different ways and it’s perfect for breastfeeding and maternity wear too. The waterfall cut is flattering for all body shapes and ideal for a minimalist wardrobe. You can even wear it back to front!

The cardy is ethically made from bamboo with a tiny bit of spandex so it’s super soft and comfortable to wear. Available in Indigo, Taupe and Black here.

Want to win one for Mother’s Day? Corryn is giving away five cardigans! Enter here.

♥ EverEscents Organic Hair Care Pack

EverEscents have some beautiful Mother’s Day gift packs for your mum! Each one has an organic shampoo, conditioner and hair treatment in a cute gift box and there are seven different varieties to suit every hair type.

Julia and her team at EverEscents has been handcrafting premium organic hair products on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland for over ten years. They are made with the high quality ingredients including plant extracts and pure essential oils. All EverEscents products are vegan friendly, cruelty fee and carbon neutral.

Check them out online here.

♥ MG Naturals Green Beauty Kit

Kailah at MG Naturals makes safe, nourishing, all natural makeup and her Green Beauty Kit is perfect for a Mother’s Day gift. You get a foundation, mineral powder, kabuki brush, concealer and a lip glaze.

As well as being natural and toxin free, MG Naturals makeup is vegan, organic, cruelty free and titanium dioxide free. It’s designed to be soothing, hydrating and nourishing and help your skin instead of harming.

I love this makeup – it feels beautiful on and you forget you are wearing it and it’s very affordable too.

Kailah gives you free shipping when you spend over $95 and 10% off subscriber’s first orders. Check it out online here.

♥ Ecology Skincare Pamper Pack

Crystal from Ecology Skincare has some gorgeous pamper packs for Mother’s Day this year. Use this pack like a mini day-spa experience at home!

Start by removing makeup with the Microfibre Makeup Removal Cloth, relax in a hot bath with the Replenishing Mineral Bath Salts, gentle cleanse your face with the Facial Konjac Sponge and finish off by massaging the Replenishing Day and Night Cream all over your face and body. Heaven!

Everything is packaged in a beautiful gift box and at a discounted price. Get the pamper packs from Crystal here.

♥ Camel Wood Bagel Diffuser

Simmi The Aromatherapist is my go-to person for all things aromatherapy. She has decades of experience in the industry and a beautiful connection and deep understanding of oils. Her bagel diffusers are a gorgeous gift for mums that love their essential oils.

There are a few different styles to choose from – dark wood, black, white and my favourite – this light camel wood colour. They are super stylish and are a feature piece of decor in themselves. The diffuser uses ultrasonic waves to diffuse oils, not heat and it shuts off as soon as the water runs out, so it’s super safe. Make sure you also check out her beautifully blended pure essential oils too.

Simmi is kindly offering all of us a free sample of her Love blend of essential oils (a very exquisite experience with pure rose oil) with every bagel diffuser. Just use the code: FREELOVE here.

♥ UFO Drum

For a really unique gift for Mum, check out these UFO drums from music therapist, Allison Davies.

Not just for making beautiful music, the UFO drums also have therapeutic benefits of meditation, mindfulness, relaxation, self-expression and vibrational realignment. The UFO drum is a modern tonal tank steel drum from the same family of instruments as the Tibetan bowls and bells.

You can play it with your hands or mallets. Each petal of the drum is specially tuned so that it will always sound harmonious. So even non-musical people can play it without any learning or practice!!

They are travel-friendly and light weight and available in three different version, each tuned to different musical keys – Full Moon, Sunrise and Sunset. Each drum comes with a carry bag, mallets and a soft stand.

Alli is so kindly giving us all an exclusive 10% discount and FREE shipping in Australia. Use the code: NNAMUFO until the 13th of May here.

♥ A Once Courageous Heart

Kylie Johnson is a hugely popular Brisbane artist and poet. I have one of her poetry books and it’s just divine.

A Once Courageous Heart features poems which are both whimsical and profound in their exploration of love, loss and hope, and all that it is to be human.

The book features a beautiful fabric cover and is printed on 100% recyclable unbleached paper. Truly something for a mindful moment with a cup of tea.

Get 10% off until the 13th of May with the code: NNAM-MUM10 here.

Update: Currently out of stock at Biome Eco Stores, but you can purchase directly from Kylie here.

♥ Moisturising Body Bar from Lhami

I love these body bars from Natalie at Lhami for a gift that’s a bit different. It’s like bar of soap but it’s moisturiser! Cool, huh?

These lush body bars melt on contact with the skin and double as a massage bar and deodorant! Intensely nourishing, it has a base of shea butter, coconut butter and jojoba oil. There are two fragrances which feature 100% pure essential oils – Lime and Patchouli or May Chang. It also comes packaged without plastic in a reusable tin!

Get 10% off the body bars with the code: NNAM until the 13th of May here.

♥ Drop Scale

Technology that helps you cook! The new Drop Scale is taking Australia by storm. Connecting via bluetooth to your iPhone or iPad, this ingenious little scale makes cooking easier and fun.

Follow step by step instructions and weigh your ingredients as you go. It’s almost like having your mum on hand to help you cook because it will also give you suggestion for substitutions and scale the recipe according to how much of an ingredient you have.

There are hundreds of step-by-step easy, one-bowl recipes to access via the Drop Scale App (which is free!). You actually need to watch the video to really see how cool this scale is.

Mandy is kindly giving us all a massive 25% discount and free shipping until the 13th of May with the code: NNAM here.

♥ Urban Culinary Flowers Kit

How cool is this – a kit to make edible flowers! Of course you don’t have to eat them, you can just enjoy their beauty, but it’s so fun.

The kit comes with pots, labels, seed disks and an instruction and recipe booklet to grow cornflower, lavender, nasturtium, violas and dianthus.

Get it online here.

♥ SOLIDteknics Bigga Skillet

The amazing Aussie cookware that everyone is drooling over now has a 36cm bigga skillet. This deep pan is brilliant for things like curry, spaghetti, roasts, deep dish pizza, paella – the list goes on and you can even cook a cake in it!

These pans are designed to last for many generations, are made from seamless wrought iron and are non-toxic and non-stick.

Get 10% off the whole range until the 13th of May using the code: NNAM-MUM10 here.

♥ Bee House

If your mum is a nature lover, she is going to adore this hand-made bee house!

These bee houses are special in so many ways. They are hand-made in Brisbane using recycled pallets and weed bamboo by a local Men’s Shed.

The bee house helps native bees find a safe, secure place to hang out and raise their young. Hang it outside in a sheltered spot and wait for the bees to come.

Get a 10% discount until the 13th of May with the code: NNAM-MUM10 here.

♥ Her Gypsy Heart Perfume

Her Gypsy Heart roll-on organic perfume has a delicious floral scent with notes of rose, neroli and jasmine. It features pure essential oils and nourishing plant-based oils in a glass roller bottle. Heavenly!

Get it online here. For FREE shipping when you spend over $50, use the code: FREESHIP

♥ Jane’s Addiction Chocolates

You honestly didn’t think I wouldn’t have chocolates somewhere on this gift guide, did you? I am so excited about these gorgeous handmade chocolates from Jane’s Addiction. They are really something very special and exquisite.

Jane (a natural, new age mum from Perth) lovingly hand-makes organic, raw, vegan chocolate and infuses them with flower essences! Her special Nourish and Nurture gift box is for mums who are always giving to others and deserve some special love.

Each chocolate has a soft, raw caramel centre infused with essences of Goddess Grasstree, Leafless orchid and Pink Everlasting flower, all topped with edible 24k gold leaf. Divine!

Jane will post all over Australia with a cold pack so your choccies arrive in perfect condition. Check them out here and shoot Jane a Facebook message to order.

♥ Everlasting Lotus and Quartz Necklace

This gorgeous sterling silver lotus necklace has a clear quartz crystal and an extendable chain. Clear quartz is a powerful healing stone that protects against negativity, attunes to your higher self, and relieves pain.

Just one of the many beautiful and affordable pieces at Midsummer Star.

Use the code: TAKE10 for 10% off here and check out the sale category too.

♥ Macrame Mandala

I might have a slight obsession with mandalas and macrame so when I saw this I was instantly in love! It’s hand-made by Jessica at Wild Clove Co, an Aussie mum from Adelaide.

Jessica only uses 100% natural, unbleached organic cotton. This beautiful mandala wall hanging would look great in the bedroom, lounge or workspace. Get it online here.

♥ Recipes for Life’s Seasons Cook Book

I am a huge fan of the lovely Martyna Angell. Her recipes are delicious, healthy and wholesome. She has released a brand new cookbook – Recipe for Life’s Seasons just in time for Mother’s Day.

Martyna focuses on bio–individualism and all recipes emphasise seasonal whole foods with a focus on fresh fruit and vegetables. Get it here.

♥ Meditate Aromatherapy Candle

Fiona at Lemon Canary on the Gold Coast makes the most amazing aromatherapy candles. I love these one of a kind vintage jars she sources – imagine the history! Fiona has a whole range of candles and products with just 100% pure essential oils (I recommend those instead of the fragrance oils).

The Meditate blend is one of my favourites and has a luscious blend of cedarwood, lavender, lemon, frankincense & rosemary. Available in all different sizes and in other gorgeous blends as well. Also check out the gorgeous hampers.

There is FREE shipping in May with the code: LOVEYOUMUM here.

Under $13♥ Heart Tea Infuser

This gorgeous heart-shaped infuser from Mama Body Tea is great for mums who love their tea. I only ever use loose leaf tea now because so many tea bags contain plastic. It tastes better too!

Also check out the lush Mama Body Tea loose leaf blends. Get the infuser online here.

♥ Lil’ Bit Bee Flower Seed Bombs

Perfect for the nature lover, these seed bombs are balls of organic matter with flower seeds. Throw them anywhere you would like some colourful flowers to come up!

There are 6 seed bombs in a linen drawstring bag that will bloom into a stunning mix of organic annuals. They are designed to provide bees with a healthy habitat so they can collect pollen and nectar for the hive.

Get 10% off until the 13th of May with the code: NNAM-MUM10 here.

♥ Rustic Wooden Heart Frame

How gorgeous is this heart photo frame from Mes Homewares? It’s made of wood and cut rustically for a natural look.

Get it online here.

Want more?

Don’t give mum toxic perfumes that will harm her health! There are so many beautiful natural perfumes to choose from.

Check out some of my favourite books for Mum this Mothers’ Day.

See past year’s Mothers’ Day gift guides here.

Need some wrap?

Check out my eco-friendly gift wrap ideas.

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, vegan and cruelty-free

The Clean Collective for non-toxic products for the family, baby and pregnancy

Lemon Canary for beautiful gifts like candles, crystals, oils and perfumes

Etsy for all things handmade, unique and beautiful

Midsummer Star for boho style silver jewellery

Dymocks for books, books and more books

Mother’s Day deals:

Get 10% off storewide at Biome Eco Store with the code: NNAM-MUM10 here. Expires 13th May.

Get 10% off all the Mother’s Day gifts at Flora and Fauna, use the code: LOVEMUM here. Expires 12th May.

Get 20% off Vapor Beauty with the code: LOVEMUM20 here.

Get 30% off Dear Addison jewellery with the code: DEAR30 here.

Get 30% off Pastiche jewellery with the code: MUM30 here.

Get 30% off and FREE shipping for KitchenAid stand mixers here.

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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!

(this post contains some sponsored content and affiliate links)

10 must-have books for Christmas

November 30, 2017 · 4 Comments

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

(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

{this post contains some sponsored content and affiliate links}

How to choose safe, non-toxic toys for your kids

November 5, 2017 · 10 Comments

How to choose safe, non-toxic toys for your kids

Play is a fundamental childhood experience.

As well as being an important part of our children’s development, it’s also fun and many of us have fond memories of childhood toys.

Toys are something our kids will come into contact with nearly every day and they love exploring them with their mouths! So, it’s incredibly important to make sure toys you provide them with are safe and non-toxic.

“The World Health Organisation has emphasised that infants and young children are more vulnerable to gene-damaging chemicals than adults” Dr Peter Dingle

What to avoid when choosing toys

There can be many toxins in cheap toys including things like PVC, BPA, BPS, phalates, polyethylene terephthalate, fire retardants and heavy metals. They can be ingested, inhaled or transferred through the skin. These toxins are linked to a range of health problems, including cancer, endocrine disruption, developmental delays, and reproductive system damage. Scary stuff!

As well as being toxic, cheaper toys tend to be very poor quality and can break easily. Be wary of anything that has small pieces that can break off and become a choking hazard. Anything smaller than a ping pong ball can get trapped in airways.

Cheap toys are not designed for longevity. It’s a vicious cycle of consumerism where plastic toys are bought cheaply, broken and then discarded to landfill. Every bit of plastic ever made is still in existence.

There are also issue of fair-trade and ethical practices to consider. Denying a worker in a third world country a decent wage and safe working conditions so kids can have all the latest toys for Christmas is pretty messed up, no matter which way you look at it.

Wishbone 3 in 1 Bike

What to look for when choosing safe toys

♥ Choose a reputable store where you know the owners are eco-conscious and ethical.

♥ Choose natural and untreated materials such as wood, bamboo, metal and natural fibres like cotton, wool or felt. These materials are also an environmentally friendly option.

♥ Check that soft toys are not stuffed with toxic fillers. Natural fillers like bamboo or GMO free corn starch are preferable.

♥ Check that the paints, dyes and treatments used are natural and non-toxic.

♥ Check that wooden toys are not made from MDF or plywood or use toxic glues.

♥ Look beyond the labelling. Just because something says it’s non-toxic or wooden doesn’t mean it’s safe.

♥ When choosing plastic toys, look for recycled plastic that is food grade safe and free of toxins. Some good brands are Green Toys and Miniland for dolls.

♥ Personally, I also look at who makes the toys and where they are from. Is the company ethical and are they looking after their workers? It’s just good karma!

Some of my top picks:

♥ Hevea

Hevea make rubber toys that don’t contain holes so there is no chance of mould build up. The safe rubber ducky! See more here.

♥ EverEarth

EverEarth make beautiful wooden toys from sustainable wood and water based non-toxic paints. Find the whole range here.

♥ Maud n Lil

I am so in love with Maud n Lil soft toys. You will see them featured often on Natural New Age Mum. They are beautiful quality and certified organic with corn starch filling and no small buttons. Find them here.

What about family and friends?

I hear you. A new child in the family gets everyone excited and they want to buy all the baby things!

I find it’s best to nip this in the bud early and explain your stance on toxins, plastics and cheap toys. You might instigate a ‘books only please’ policy or something else that works for your family.

If you need some help navigating those conversations, have a read of my article, What to do when your family and friends don’t support your lifestyle choices.

Kinderboard

Good quality, eco-friendly toys should last a lifetime and may even become family heirlooms. You will be able to pass them on to siblings, other families or sell them when you are finished.

It’s also worth remembering that kids (and babies in particular) don’t need a lot of toys for stimulation – that’s what we are here for! There is something to be said for providing less to encourage more imaginative play. Simple toys without all the bells and whistles (or flashing lights and sounds!) are often best.

Choosing quality over quantity is a safe bet for your kids and the environment. Good quality, ethical toys do cost more than cheap plastic junk from the discount stores but I think our kids are worth it.

What do you think? Do you actively search for safe, non-toxic toys?

Further Reading and sources:

Slow Death by Rubber Duck

Healthy Home, Healthy Family

Is your home making you sick?

A natural, new age Christmas gift guide

November 24, 2016 · 8 Comments

A natural, new age Christmas gift guide

I think the older I get, the less tolerant I am of shopping centres!! Finding a park, the noise, the people… it all does my head in.

These days I much prefer to do online shopping from Aussie family businesses. I can relax in my pyjamas with a cup of tea, browse and buy with a few clicks and then get it all delivered to my door.

I have been steadily collecting gift ideas for a few months for you. I am very fussy about what makes it into my Christmas Gift Guides… they need to be affordable, healthy, organic, fair trade, non toxic, recycled or eco-friendly and pretty much just awesome.

Plus, I have also found some awesome deals – discount codes and free shipping so take advantage.

I hope you like the list! Let me know in the comments what you think.

♥ Crio Bru Taster Pack

Get eight taster packets of Crio Bru in a beautiful gift box! Crio Bru is one of my all time favourite healthy drinks. The ground cacao beans come in a variety of flavours for an awesome chocolatey hot or cold drink or for using in cooking. It’s the perfect substitute for coffee if you want to give up or cut back.

If you want to spend a little more, add in a Fressko Flask to brew the Crio in! This is the ideal gift for those hard to buy for people. I often have a few packs on hand for thank you gifts throughout the year and they are always well-received.

Exclusively for NNAM readers, you can use this code to get 10% off everything in store: CHRISTMAS10 until 15 December here.

♥ Hippy Go Lucky Christmas Pack

One of my favourite natural, vegan-friendly skincare brands, A Bit Hippy has this gorgeous gift pack out for Christmas. It’s called the Hippy Go Lucky Pack and you can try out a few things from their range for a very nice $36!
Included is the Rice and Fresh Face Wash, Soothing and Improving Moisturiser, Nothing to Smell Here Deodorant and Pineapple and Ginger Moisturising Lip Balm. I have tried all of these products and they are fabulous quality and work really well, without all the nasties of course!

Find it online here.

♥ Essential Oil Holder

Store and display your essential oils in this beautiful wooden stand. This gorgeous piece is hand made in WA from Curly Mallee wood and finished with natural wood oils. There are other display stands and holders to choose from or ask for a customised piece.

Find them here.

♥ Singing Bowl

This beautiful blue Tibetan singing bowl comes with a cushion and a carved wooden wand in a gift box and includes the story of the singing bowl. Perfect for meditation, music, relaxation, and personal well-being.

Find it here (free shipping when you spend over $80, use the code: X16W8O )

♥ The Art of Frugal Hedonism Book

Living frugally but hedonistically – saving money buy enjoying life! I can’t wait to read this book. Check it out here.

♥ Southern Cross Pottery Water Filter

Southern Cross make quality ceramic water filters that removes virtually all impurities including fluoride and lasts up to 12 months. Featuring a non-toxic ceramic finish with stainless steel tap, these water filters hold 12 litres and are hand-made in Australia to order in a colour you choose.

10% off at the moment and free shipping but hurry ends 30th November here.

♥ Turquoise Crystal Bracelet

Gorgeous healing crystals with charms from Five Star Hippie. There are heaps to choose from over at Emporio Organico here (get 10% off everything until the 30th of November).

♥ African Bolga Basket

Shop the farmers’ markets in style! This multi-coloured traditional bolga basket is hand-woven in Ghana and coloured naturally with vegetable dyes. Sturdy and durable with a leather handle, these baskets are well-known for their quality.

Get them online here (free shipping when you spend over $80, use the code: X16W8O)

♥ Leather Radiation Protection Phone Case and Wallet

Finally, the perfect gift for that hard to buy for male in your life! This stylish leather case has multiple features including radiation protection, a wallet with RFID blocking (prevents illegitimate scanning of your Pay Wave capable cards), a protective cover for your phone and a phone stand!

Get it online and check out the other radiation protection products here.

♥ Soda Stream

We decided to buy ourselves a Soda Stream for Christmas! It’s way more eco-friendly to make your own mineral water and reuse the glass bottles than buying from the supermarket. It’s also much cheaper and saves you lugging home all those bottles.

Get it here with 10% off until the 30th of November, using the code: WBM10

♥ Aroma Move Car Diffuser

Ditch the toxic car perfumes and use something more natural and delicious. I like the black one because it blends in with your car interior, but there are three colours to choose from. You can also use it around the house or take it on holidays.

Check them out online here.

♥ Mindful Mandala Mug

How cute are these gift boxed mandala mugs and plates? They come with non-toxic paints so you can colour them in yourself and then bake in the oven to set.

See the whole range here and get 35% off until the 30th of November or until stocks last!

♥ Handmade Beauty Book

In this book, you will learn how to make your own face and body scrubs, cleansers, toners, moisturisers, hand creams, lip balms, body butters, bath bombs, foot sprays, shampoos and hair treatments. Step-by-step illustrations and clear instructions throughout ensure that recipes are easy to follow. You could package it up with some of the basic ingredients and some jars in a cute basket!

Find it here.

♥ Amethyst Pendant

Karina from Karmic Star has a gorgeous range of hand crafted crystal jewellery. I love this amethyst sphere in hand woven, eco friendly recycled sterling silver.

Check out all Karina’s beautiful pieces here.

♥ Mandala Bamboo Chopping Board

Some zen in the kitchen! Laser engraved bamboo boards, hand made to order in Australia.

Check out the whole range here.

♥ Organic Cotton Bath Robe

A luxurious 100% Organic Aegean Cotton bathrobe in men and women’s various sizes.

30% off right now here (10% off everything in store as well until the 30th November use the code: WMB10).

♥ Oasis Food Thermos

Lunch with bling! I am loving this champagne coloured stainless steel food thermos. Perfect for taking leftovers to work for lunch. It’s very affordable and there are loads of other colours available too.

Find them here (10% off everything until the 30th November use the code: WMB10).

♥ Peony Dip Dish

This beautiful dip dish features five ceramic compartments in a rattan basket with lid. The hand painted blue peony design is hand painted using non toxic paint and glazes and made ethically in Vietnam.

See the whole Peony range here (free shipping when you spend over $80, use the code: X16W8O)

♥ Moon Diary.

Handwritten and illustrated by artist author Shekhinah Morgan, this 2017 diary is printed on recycled paper with vegetable inks. It contains information about lunar lore, myth, Moon phases and times as well as plenty of space to journal or plan your days. For the luna lovers!

Get it online here.

♥ Recycled Sari Flower Garland

This flower bunting/garland is made from recycled saris. You could use it for Christmas decorations on a tree or for decorating anywhere around the house. Super cute.

Find it here (free shipping when you spend over $80, use the code: X16W8O )

♥ Weleda Hand Cream Gift Box

Famous natural skincare brand, Weleda has this Hand Cream Duo Pack out for Christmas. It includes their Citrus and Sea Buckthorn Hand creams in a gift box.

♥ Glass Infuser Dispenser

How awesome is this! Perfect for a barbecue or just keep it in the fridge over summer to get the kids off the softdrink and onto the fruity water. This one is 8.5L and there is 35% off until the 30th of November.

Check it out here.

Thinking of buying perfume this year?

Choose a natural one to avoid nasty toxins. Check out my recommendations here.

Where to shop:

Biome Eco Stores for all things good for the planet

Emporio Organico for a huge range of eco and lux gifts

Oxfam Australia for fair-trade gifts, food, toys and clothes

Yardgames for outdoor and educational toys

Hello Charlie for all your eco baby and toddler toys and necessities

Etsy for all things handmade, unique and beautiful

Beautiful Gifts for Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is coming up and I have some of the hottest gifts around for natural new age mums! Whatever you do, I hope you have a magical day with your family and soak up the love.

♥ Love You Mum Gift Pack from Happy Skincare

Aaron and Phoebe have put together a limited edition pack for Mother’s Day! This is one of my all time favourite skincare ranges – 100% natural, vegan and not tested on animals. In fact, I got my mum a set for Christmas and she loves it!

If you get in early, you also get the pack in a gorgeous fair-trade organic cotton toiletries bag. Sales from this bag help support Freeset and their mission to help the women trapped in Kolkata’s sex trade.

Get it here. 10% off with the code: NNAM

♥ Insulated Food Jar

Now that the weather is warming up, get Mum a stainless steel food jar. They are just the ticket for taking hot soups, casseroles or curries to work or out and about. No microwaves required or buying lunch out and spending a fortune! Biome have a great range available but I have this Thermos one pictured and LOVE it. It’s wide enough to use with a spoon straight out of the jar and it keeps food hot for hours.

Browse here.♥ Lavanila Natural Perfume Gift Box

This cute gift pack has 5 mini roller ball perfumes. With a base of Madagascan vanilla, these perfumes are all natural and contain 100% pure essential oils and natural botanicals. There is a scent for every mood! They are great for popping in the handbag too.

Get it here.

♥ Happy Mama book

My gorgeous friend Amy Taylor-Kabbaz just released her new book, Happy Mama! This book is the collected wisdom from Amy’s makeover from strung-out parent to happy, self-loving mum. Including interviews with working mums, psychologists, counsellors and spiritual leaders, it is full of practical and empowering advice that will help you change the way you feel about motherhood so the whole family can flourish.

Get it here.

♥ Mandala Platter

I am seriously lusting after this gorgeous mandala style platter from Maxwell and Williams. It’s on sale at the moment too – 30% off! It comes gift boxed…. I hope the family is reading this!!

Get it here.

♥ Bahen & Co Chocolate

Sublime!! This hand-crafted chocolate from Margaret River in WA is stone ground in small batches using vintage machinery. Bahen and Co support farmers, fair trade and ensure there are no children working on the cacao farms. There are no weird ingredients, flavours or additives. Choose from plain chocolate, salted Australian almond or chilli salt!

Check them out here.

What are you getting your mum (or yourself) for Mother’s Day??

Natural New Age Mum’s Christmas Gift Guide

November 20, 2014 · 46 Comments

Natural New Age Mum’s Christmas Gift Guide

Christmas shopping can be emotional, expensive and exhausting.

Never fear! I am here with a round-up of the best natural and new age gifts for Christmas. Grab a cuppa or a wine, sit back on your couch, browse and shop. Too easy.

I am not going to go all gender stereotyping and say Gifts for Her and Gifts for Him, but I do have a section for the ‘ridiculously hard to buy for‘ people, because we all have at least one of those to buy for!

Actually this gift guide sort of accidentally, maybe on purpose turned into my Christmas wish list. My birthday is five days after Christmas so I have even more chances of getting lucky!

What is on your Christmas Wish List???

♥ Vintage Soy Candle Kit from Lhami. Make your own funky soy candles! The kit includes eco soy wax, wicks, pure vanilla oil, a digital thermometer, 2 antique glasses and instructions. There is enough wax to make about 10 individual candles in the antique port glass size. Or you can try china teacups, or another mould. Your local op shop is the place to go for inspiration!

What a great fun idea to get stuck into on the holidays!! I want one!! Get it online from Lhami.

♥ Kelapa Organics Skincare Gift Box. This beautiful Aussie certified organic skincare range is based on organic coconut oil. I have been trialling it and I love it – it smells heavenly and leaves my skin soft and feeling fresh. The packs make awesome gifts – they are beautifully presented in a gift box with an eco-friendly touch. What I am loving most is the price! They are very, very reasonable and they are good-sized products – so less packaging waste.

This pack is the Natural Beauty pack and contains your basic beauty routine -cleanser, exfoliator, moisturiser and night cream. Kelapa also do shampoo and conditioner, body wash and lotion, hand cream and moisturizer with sunscreen.

♥ Pong Radiation Protection Phone Covers. Yep, I really need to get these for everyone in my family. Simone at Nourishing Hub stocks the Pong covers for iPhones and Samsungs. These covers cut radiation by up to 91%, redirecting radiation away from your head and body. The cases can also improve reception and conserve battery life.

Find out how it works and more details here.

♥ Sacred Self Organic Perfumes. Handcrafted with three signature scents, Mind, Body and Spirit, these perfumes are based on essential oils and infused with flower and gem essences to really give you a holistic experience. Each one comes with it’s own ritual card with a daily affirmation to remind you of how special you are. Michelle McGrath from Sacred Self has crafted something really beautiful and unique with these perfumes. It goes without saying that they are free from nasty toxins and synthetic fragrances that can harm your health. Get them online here.

♥ Durand Kombucha Crock. All the cool kids are making kombucha! Kombucha is a fermented drink made with tea, sugar and scoby. It’s a cheap and effective way to get your daily probiotics and it’s fun to make. But you do need the right equipment or you could contaminate your batch. The Durand Kombucha crock has a plastic spigot and the pottery jar ensures your booch doesn’t get too much light, unlike glass jars. They are all handmade and hand decorated in Queensland and use non toxic glazes and no lead.

Get it online and delivered to your door – but give them a few weeks notice.

♥ Gratitude Journal and Diary. The daily practice of gratitude is one of the most powerful things you can do to change your life. This journal and diary is incredibly beautiful and makes your practice a special ritual. As well as a daily space to record your blessings, it also has a diary, moon orientation chart, inspirational quotes and an astrology guide. Gorgeous.

Get it online.

♥ Believe in People Mug. This range of inspirational mugs and crockery from artist, Rob Ryan is so lovely. I am really liking this one the most though – the colours and the little bird are super cute. They come beautifully gift boxed as well. Add in some homemade biccys and you have a really sweet and inexpensive gift. Get it online.

♥ Aromatherapy Diffuser. A diffuser is one of the best gifts I have ever been given. I have two now and I absolutely adore them. We use them to purify the air in our home, to create a lovely mood and they are also useful when anyone is sick. Depending on which oils you use, you can use them for all sorts of things. I use the Celebrate and Uplift blend from Twenty 8 when I need a bit of motivation to do housework and the Peace and Meditation blend at night time to get everyone chilled out. The diffuser is my preference over a candle burner because I don’t have to monitor the flame. Just set and forget. Aromatherapy has so many gorgeous health benefits. If you haven’t yet discovered this amazing modality, get into it! Get a diffuser and oils online from Twenty 8.

♥ Recycled Sari Handbag. This recycled sarislouch bag is handmade in Bangladesh for Oxfam. It has an internal zip and a pocket for mobile phones. I am in love with this bag!! Supporting this fair trade project helps women in Bangladesh earn an income. Get it online from Oxfam.

♥ Stainless Steel Popsicle Maker. I have wanted one of these for ages. Freezing food and drinks in plastic is something that worries me as BPA is not stable at extreme temperatures and can leach into your food. There is no need to worry with this iceblock maker which is made from stainless steel and has wooden sticks. The frame holds them steady in the freezer. Get it online (love the stainless ice cube trays too Santa!).

♥ Janella’s Super Natural Foods. This one is going to be popular under the tree this year! Naturopath, nutritionist, wellness coach, herbalist and environmentalist, and wholefood advocate, Janella Purcell has released her new cookbook, just in time for Christmas. 150 delicious recipes based on the food is medicine principle. Love it! Get it online .

♥ Kylie Kwong’s Lotus Tableware Set. Designed exclusively for Oxfam, Kylie has designed this beautiful ‘Lotus’ dinnerware and it has been hand crafted and hand painted by female artisans in Vietnam. You can get it as a whole set or just buy individual pieces (from just $3.95). I am so in love with the teapot! Get it online at the Oxfam Shop.

♥ Wu Tao Dance DVD. Wu Tao is a healing dance developed by Aussie mum, Michelle Locke. It’s fun, easy, effective and it can help with all sorts of health problems from stress and depression to diabetes and arthritis. I have the DVD and the books and can’t wait to get stuck in over the holidays and give it a go. Nourishment for the mind, body and spirit. Get it online, directly from Michelle. ♥ Bamboo Serving Bowls. I am sucker for a nice salad bowl and I love these from Casa Uno. Made from bamboo, they are eco-friendly as well as very chic. Get them online.

♥ Wellbeing Magazine Subscription. One of my favourite magazines – Wellbeing is the Natural New Age Mum bible! It has well-researched, intelligent and informative articles, recipes and all sorts of interesting things. I can get lost in a copy for weeks.

Even better value if you get a yearly subscription – you save nearly 30% off the cover price.

♥ Spiralizer. Another thing all the cool kids are doing – spiralizing their veges to make zoodles!! This is a fun way to get kids to eat veges and make a pasta substitute out of zucchini. Sarah from The Raw Food Store has tried lots of them and now she recommends the Gefu one for it’s staying power and ease of use. Get it online from Sarah here.

For Ridiculously Hard to Buy For People:

Yep, we all have one. I hope these ideas help. Think outside the box! ♥ Glasses Stand. A place to perch your glasses or sunnies and never lose them again! So cute! Handcarved from sheesham wood in India by Oxfam partner, Asha Handicrafts. These programs help struggling communities make a living in a fair and ethical way. Love it. Get the wooden spectacle stand from the Oxfam shop.

♥ Cheese Making Kit. These cool cheese making kits from Mad Millie have everything you need to start making your own cheese at home. You just add milk! Contains reusable equipment and quality ingredients – nothing artificial or nasty here. You can make up to 7 kgs of feta, halloumi, cream cheese, cottage cheese and quark. It’s pretty impressive turning up to a party with some fresh cheese on an antipasto platter and tell everyone you made it yourself!

Get it online. ♥ Goats, ducks, chickens, pigs, water and wells. Just some of the awesome charity gifts that Oxfam Unwrapped offer. We love buying these. Oxfam sends your recipient a cute card with what charity gift you have bought for them and details of how it helps someone in need. Gifts start at just $10. Check out the range online.

Where to shop:

These are some more great online stores to check out that have ec0-friendly, upcycled or natural gifts.

Biome Eco Stores for all things good for the planet

Shop Naturally for a huge range of all things natural and healthy

Yardgames for outdoor and educational toys

Hello Charlie for eco baby and toddler

The Raw Food Store for a range of eco-kids products, appliances and food

Oxfam Australia for fair-trade gifts, food and clothes

Okay that’s my round-up! I think I had better email my lovely family this link. So many amazing people making amazing natural products. What is on your wish list? I would love to know.

This post contains some sponsored content and some affiliate links.

10 Cool DIY Christmas Gifts

November 15, 2013 · 17 Comments

10 Cool DIY Christmas Gifts

DIY gifts are so special.

Sometimes taking time to create something beautiful with love is a much more appreciated gift. The imperfections are just part of the charm.

Last Christmas I put the challenge out to my family to hand make one gift for each another. At first they laughed at me, but they soon got into the spirit and had a ball creating something special. I wonder if they are up for the challenge this year?

Here are ten ideas to get you (and me) inspired!

♥ Honey Lip Balm

This is so easy to make – it just uses coconut oil, beeswax, honey and essential oils! You only need to find some cute containers. Get the tutorial at Hip Home.

♥ Jewellery Storage Board

Transform an old frame from the opshop into a funky piece of art work and storage in one! Find the tutorial at Mona Luna.

♥Succulent Mugs

Upcycle some old mugs into a gorgeous succulent pot plant holder. Using doilies and some decoupaging. Stunning! Find the details at The Happy Housie.

♥ Upcycled Snow Globes

You know how you have all those glass jars hanging around? Well, time to get them out and turn them into gifts or decorations. You don’t have to do Christmasy scenes, choose a toy or character your child loves instead. Head to the op shop to find some toys or nik naks. Find the tutorial at Martha Stewart .

♥ Inspirational Sign

I love all those motivational signs and posters, but some of them are incredibly expensive. Why not have a crack at making up one yourself? It’s pretty easy – just some recycled wood and a stencil (your local scrapbooking shop can help you out with this). Find the tutorial at Natalme.

♥ Quote Votives

Make your own cute tea light holders with quotes. It’s really pretty easy and you can personalize them to suit. Find the tutorial at Design Mom.

♥ Toy and Snack Strap

For kids on the move – their own strap to hold toys and a little jar of snacks. Really fun and original! Find the tutorial at Whip Stitch.

Want more DIY gifts? Go here. Want real food homemade gifts? Go here.

Do you do DIY gifts at your place?