> Occasion

The commercialism of the holiday season–the need to buy something for everyone–can make shopping an overwhelming chore. Shopping for gifts is either a matter of inspiration–of finding that perfect fit between gift and recipient–or, in its absence, perspiration–the harried shopping trip to the mall, gridlocked with other shoppers searching desperately for last-minute panic purchases.

A couple of years ago, we decided to stop giving the kinds of gifts we didn’t want to receive; things that were bought out of desperation, things that added little to the lives of the recipients except the need to be dusted. Now, we often start our Christmas shopping with a trip to the dollar store for some pretty baskets or boxes or bags, which we then fill with healthy goodies we know our friends will enjoy.

If you’re a regular reader of alive magazine, you already know that the most precious gift is the gift of health. Here are some gift basket ideas that offer the potential to change the lives of the recipients by making them aware of alternative information and products for healing and healthy living. You should be able to find most of these twelve gifts of good health at your local health food store.

1. L’alimento č amore (Food is love, Italian style)

For foodies, put together a Mediterranean-treats basket combining organic tomato sauces and organic pastas with colourful jars of olives, capers, artichoke hearts, roasted bell peppers, tapenade and pesto sauces, extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and dried mushrooms. Add a block of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, the true Parmesan (keep refrigerated until gift-giving time, and let the recipient of the basket know to pop this part of the gift in the fridge). Voila!–a gourmet meal.

Alternately, make up a basket of Asian foods (organic tamari sauce, soba noodles, miso, gomashio [sesame salt], dried seaweed, dried shiitake mushrooms, mirin rice wine, and packed with chopsticks and beautiful Oriental bowls bought in Chinatown) or Indian food items (Thai peanut sauce, coconut milk, curry pastes and sauces, and a tiffin container). The food-lover’s basket combines any type or theme of healthy foods that you’d like to share with friends and family.

A new twist on an old favourite: A basket of anything-but-peanut nut butters (cashew, almond, sunflower, pumpkin seed) and jars of organically grown colourful jams and jellies (pear/ginger, blackberry, red currant, peach) will be welcomed by adults and children alike.

2. Serenity in a basket

Stress-relief massage kits are available ready-made or you can put together your own special blend of essential-oil scented massage lotions or oils (try eucalyptus, lavender, juniper, or rosemary to relieve muscle tension), loofahs, massage knobbles (those multipronged knobs for pressing gently into tight muscles to help them loosen and relax), a plush towel, and a lavender-filled pillow for deluxe treatment. Herbal tinctures such as valerian, lemon balm, skullcap, or passion flower, among others, aid in reducing stress and promoting tranquility from the inside out. If you add soy or beeswax candles to the basket and offer to dim the lights, this can be a decidedly romantic present.

Susan Safyan is an assistant editor at alive magazine.

Source: alive #266, December 2004