Your Guide to Mindful Gift-Giving This Holiday Season

The holiday season is a time of joy, connection, and generosity. But let’s be real—it can also be a whirlwind of stress, excess, and overspending. Between the sales, shopping, and wrapping, we sometimes find ourselves giving (or receiving) items that feel impersonal, wasteful, or quickly forgotten.

Mindful gift-giving is about choosing or creating gifts that resonate with the recipient. A mindful gift sparks joy, nurtures connection, supports well-being, and aligns with your values. In a world overflowing with “stuff,” this approach feels more important than ever.
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Wanna make this holiday season more mindful, sustainable and fulfilling for everyone on your list? Here’s your guide to mindful gift-giving — complete with insights from two local business owners who embody the art of thoughtful gifting.

Sustainable Gifting: Insights from Garden City Essentials
For Jolene Antle, founder of Garden City Essentials, mindful gifting begins with sustainability. Her shop specializes in natural skincare, wellness products, and eco-friendly lifestyle items designed to tread lightly on the planet.

“Mindful gifts ideally have minimal ecological impact,” Jolene shares. “Local, handmade, sustainable, and consumable items make amazing mindful gifts that also support small businesses and local communities.”
Jolene’s journey into mindful living began as a personal experiment in creating cleaner, more effective personal care products for herself. What started as a kitchen experiment evolved into a thriving business that promotes a sustainable and holistic lifestyle.

"We’ve always tried to promote a more mindful approach to consumption by offering natural and sustainable lifestyle products that are gentle on the planet."

At Garden City Essentials, you’ll find beautiful low-waste options like handmade soaps, beeswax candles, plantable greeting cards, organic teas, and even refillable household products. Customers are encouraged to bring their own containers for bulk purchases, encouraging sustainable habits that extend beyond the holiday season.

The serene interior of Garden City Essentials in downtown St. Catharines, ON

Wellness as a Gift: Thoughts from Lost ’n Found Yoga and Pilates

For April Janzen, Creative Director of Lost ‘n Found Yoga and Pilates, mindful gifts are those that enrich lives without adding clutter.  She believes that practical or experiential gifts can have the most lasting impact:

“When I think of mindful gift-giving, I think of something that doesn’t collect dust or go out of style,” April explains. “Practical or experiential gifts often have the most lasting impact.”

April sees wellness-related gifts as particularly meaningful because they encourage recipients to prioritize their health—something many view as a luxury.

“Most people want to improve their health but feel that spending money on their mobility and strength is a luxury. Studio classes taught by professionals can make a real difference,” she says. “They offer the reward of seeing real change in your body and the accountability to keep going.”

Is someone on your shopping list yoga or Pilates curious? Consider gifting beginner-friendly options like an introductory class package. More seasoned practitioners might enjoy a membership or workshop as a way to deepen their practice.

Take A Mindful Approach to Shopping

April offers a simple but powerful tip to stay grounded during holiday shopping:

“Before making a purchase, stop and ask yourself, ‘Am I buying this just to hit a gift quota? Is this a filler gift?’ Checking in with yourself can bring awareness to whether you’re purchasing excessively.”
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Taking time to pause, breathe, and reflect can help you stay grounded in your intentions, ensuring that the gifts you choose feel meaningful and aligned

​9 More Mindful Gift Ideas to Inspire You

1. Share an Experience: Invite a loved one to join you for a cooking or art class.  Take them to a concert, museum or gallery. One of April’s most treasured gifts was an experience: tickets to see The Magician’s Nephew with her son while they were reading The Chronicles of Narnia series together. 

“It was such a meaningful gift because it created memories we’ll always cherish,” she says.
Whether it’s theatre tickets, a shared hike, or a homemade meal, experiences can create lasting connections that far outshine anything wrapped in paper.

2. Commit to a Wellness Journey Together: Start a new habit, like meditating or practicing yoga with a friend or family member. 

3. Upcycle: Repurpose or transform an item into something new and meaningful, like creating a homemade yoga bolster from old fabric.  When my friend’s dad passed away, her husband and I secretly took her dad’s Hawaiian shirt collection (Hawaiian shirts were his signature look).  We turned the shirts into a set of throw pillows.  This made a unique and meaningful gift.  She absolutely loved it.  

4. Re-gift: Pass along a book, a piece of jewelry or some artwork that you know someone else will love.  Maybe they express admiration for something of yours every time they see it.  Write a note about how it served you and why you think they’ll appreciate it. 

5. DIY: Create a custom playlist or ‘soundtrack’ for your relationship.  Make a photo album or scrapbook.  Write a heartfelt letter sharing what you love and appreciate about them.  Sew a yoga mat bag, meditation cushion or eye pillow.  Create a family recipe book.  Whip up a delicious batch of baked goods! 

6. Wellness Gifts:  Give a gift certificate for a massage, or give a high quality yoga mat, blocks, or a resistance band to encourage practicing self-care.  

7. Gift Cards:  Choose a store where they can buy something they will use and love – something that won’t end up collecting dust on a shelf or sitting in a landfill.  

8. Consumables: Refillable household products like soaps or lotions make great gifts.  So do coffees, teas, chocolates and homemade goodies.    

9. Give Back: Donate to a charity in someone’s name. The first year my partner and I were together we agreed that instead of giving each other gifts for Christmas we would donate to charity in one another’s names.  That started some wonderful conversations about the problems that occupy our minds and the causes that are important to our hearts.  It was an opportunity to connect on a deeper level and to give back to our communities.

Image: a re-creation of the pillow made out of Hawaiian shirts. 

This Holiday Season, Choose Mindful Gifts

This holiday season, let’s celebrate the spirit of giving with intention and heart. Let’s give in a way that contributes to others’ peace, health and happiness. Whether you’re shopping locally, supporting small businesses, or sharing experiences, your gifts can reflect gratitude, care, and connection for the recipient and the planet.  

A Gift of Wellness From Me to You

I’m gifting you free access to my Immune Booster Kit, an online program designed to strengthen your immunity and help you feel your best during this busy season.
This kit includes:

• Practices combining movement, breathwork, meditation, and self-massage.
• A BONUS respiratory recovery practice, perfect for anyone bouncing back from a seasonal bug.

🎄 Claim Your Free Gift Here

Wishing you a joyful and mindful holiday season!

 This past summer was difficult. As many of you know, my dad passed away in July. Just eight weeks later, my partner’s father also passed. It’s been an emotionally raw time, marked by the intensity of loss and the challenge of supporting ourselves and our families through our grieving processes.

I’m taking this week off for a much-needed pause. I’ll be retreating into nature for some hiking, reading, and resting;  allowing nature to work it quiet magic, providing space to heal and breathe deeply.

How Nature Nurtures
Nature has always been one of my greatest sources of comfort in difficult times. I have a dear friend that I meet with regularly for “forest therapy,” basically we go for a walk and talk through the woods. These walks have provided companionship and profound healing as we puzzle through some of our lives’ more difficult moments together.

There’s a reason many of us turn to nature when we feel stressed or anxious. Being outdoors is both restorative and transformative. Research backs up what we know intuitively: spending time in nature has real, measurable health benefits. It can lower anxiety, muscle tension, heart rate, and blood pressure. Trees even release phytoncides, essential oils shown to reduce stress and boost the immune system. Nature heals, and asks nothing in return.

Beyond the physical benefits, nature also heals us emotionally and mentally. It offers perspective. Walking in a forest or gazing up at an infinite sky reminds you of your place in the larger web of life. These moments of connection can help us feel grounded and peaceful. 

How Nature Grounds Us
Nature engages the senses, pulling us out of our heads and into the present moment. Mindfully tuning into your senses during a walk transforms it into an awe-filled experience. Try this the next time you’re in nature.  Identify:

• 5 things you can see: a bird, a tree, a leaf, a stone, a cloud
• 4 things you can hear: bird songs, buzzing insects, the crunch of footsteps, rustling leaves
• 3 things you can feel: the sun on your face, the breeze on your skin, the earth underfoot
• 2 things you can smell: pine needles, flowers, or nearby water
• 1 thing you can taste: water, trail mix

As Dr. Kelly McGonigal notes in her book The Joy of Movement, “Within the first 5 minutes of any physical activity in nature, people report major shifts in mood and outlook... both distanced from the problems of everyday life and more connected to life itself.”

How Nature Moves Us
Grief can feel like a heavy, stagnant weight. Movement helps to shift that weight, offering relief and mental clarity. Walking, biking and hiking can provide both stimulation and solace, shifting mental fog and offering clarity.

You don’t have to embark on a grand adventure to feel the benefits – but by all means, DO take a heart-thumping romp through the wild, if that’s what moves you!  Even a simple walk through a tree-lined neighborhood or a park can reconnect you with your body and clear your mind. And, let's face it, a stroll outdoors offers much better scenery than the treadmill.  If you want to connect with life, get outside.   

Exercising outdoors can:

• Expand your perception of time
• Give you perspective on life
• Help you feel more connected to the world around you
• Induce emotions like awe, wonder, and hope
• Calm your mind and reduce anxiety
• Regulate the sleep patterns that grief often disrupts.

The benefits of exercising outdoors come from moving through an environment that naturally calms the body and mind.  So, let nature help you move through stressful times.  

Finding Healing in Open Spaces
Exploring new landscapes or hiking unfamiliar trails is a reminder of life’s beauty, even amidst loss. Spending time outdoors feels like a way to honor my father’s memory. He loved nature, and knowing I’m carrying on something he cherished brings me comfort.

The simple act of being outside—breathing in fresh air, feeling the breeze—can be deeply healing. Nature offers us the space to process grief away from the constant demands of daily life.

Whenever I meet the ocean, feel the warmth of the sun, or walk beneath a canopy of trees, I’m reminded of my connection to the natural world. Nature nourishes and sustains us, providing endless opportunities to reflect on life’s beauty and our place in it. In those moments, I can’t help but feel gratitude for the gift of being alive to experience it all.
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So, I'm heading off to the woods to be nurtured by nature. 
 

I recently celebrated my 50th birthday, and I’ve been reflecting on my journey through aging. While I have some low-key worries — like wrinkles, aching joints and what retirement might look like - what stands out most is a sense of gratitude. I’m grateful for the growth and wisdom that have come with a little age and experience. I’m also grateful for my yoga practice, which has taught me to appreciate my body at every stage of life, to generally chill out, to let go of the past, and to approach each new chapter openly and curiously.

During my 20-year career as a yoga and movement teacher, I’ve been fortunate to witness countless examples of older adults thriving — moving joyfully, competently, and confidently well into their later years. Some even practicing headstands into their 90s! If thriving in the golden years is possible for them, it’s possible for me. And it’s possible for you, too. While stiffness, aches, and deteriorating health are realities, aging also has the potential to bring many positive changes that we can look forward to. 

Understanding Aging: A Reality Check
Contrary to what popular culture may tell you, aging is not a catastrophe.  It’s a natural process that involves physical, psychological, and social changes. Aging will affect each of us differently depending on a number of genetic, lifestyle, environmental, and social factors. 

Biologically, aging involves a slowdown of cellular regeneration. This change can manifest in various ways, from decreased muscle mass and bone density to the appearance of wrinkles and gray hair.

Psychologically, aging involves changes in cognitive abilities, memory, and emotional resilience. While some cognitive functions might decline, other aspects, such as wisdom and emotional intelligence, often improve.

Socially, aging can create major shifts in our roles and relationships—retirement, becoming a grandparent, or navigating new social circles. These changes challenge us to redefine our identities and our place in the world.

is an inevitable part of life, but how well you age can vary widely. Embracing the process with a positive mindset, staying active, and being adaptable and open to change can lead to an interesting and fulfilling later life.

Rolling With the Changes
Recently, I was out for dinner with a couple of long-time yoga teacher friends and a Facebook memory from 20 years ago popped up. Several photos of us participating in a local 108 Sun Salutations event. We laughed at how we might prefer to do 2 Sun Salutations followed by a lengthy savasana at this stage in life.
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At 50, my energy and stamina are different than they were at 30, and that’s to be expected. And honestly? I don’t mind. As we change physiologically, we need to let our approach to movement change with us. The Yoga Sutras, an ancient yogic text, says just one thing about posture practice: a yoga pose should be steady and comfortable. Period. This simple guideline can free us from feeling like our practice has to look a certain way. Your practice doesn’t need to look like it did 10, 20, or 30 years ago. You can do Sun Salutations or not. You can do a headstand or not.  Your entire practice can be done sitting in a chair or lying on the floor if that’s what feels steady and comfortable for you.  

5 Ways Mindfulness Helps You Age Better
Yoga and mindfulness are powerful tools for aging well. They offer more than just physical benefits; they provide a holistic approach to well-being that nurtures the body, mind, heart and relationships at every age and stage of life. 

1. Physical Health: Yoga helps maintain flexibility, strength, and balance—key components of healthy aging. As we age, our muscles and joints tend to become stiffer and less mobile. Regular yoga practice can help keep your body limber. Poses that focus on balance, like Tree, Half Moon or Warrior III, can help improve your balance and decrease the risk of falling, which is a definite concern as we grow older. Moreover, yoga can enhance respiratory function, boost circulation, and help you maintain an overall sense of vitality.
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2. Mental Sharpness: Mindfulness practices have been shown to improve cognitive function and protect against            age-related decline. Meditation and focused breathing enhance concentration, memory, and mental clarity.              Mindfulness practice can help keep you mentally sharp and focused. It also helps with stress management, which is detrimental to cognitive health.  Revisit my Yoga Brain blog for a refresher on how mindfulness changes your brain. 

3. Emotional Well-being: Aging often brings emotional challenges—coping with change, loss, and the uncertainty of the future. Yoga and mindfulness teach us to stay present, to embrace each moment without judgment, and to let go of what we can’t control. This acceptance fosters emotional resilience, helping us navigate the ups and downs of aging with greater ease. The meditative aspects of yoga encourage a deep connection with our inner resources of love and compassion, reducing feelings of anxiety and depression.   Try this short Metta Meditation. 

4. Social Connection: Yoga can also be a social activity, creating opportunities to be in connection with others. When you practice as part of a community, you have a sense of belonging and support. This social aspect is crucial as we age, as strong social connections have been linked to better health outcomes and a longer lifespan.

Mindful Aging
Aging mindfully is about thriving in all aspects of life—physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially. By making conscious choices — like staying active, eating well, maintaining social connections, and managing stress — we can enhance the quality of our later years. Yoga and mindfulness are powerful allies in this journey. 

Through yoga, I’ve come to appreciate the peace that comes with simply accepting life as it is, with all its inherent ups and downs.  I’m reminded that the aging process is part of life’s weird and wonderful journey; a gradual unfolding; a process of becoming; an opportunity to continue growing, learning, and evolving. I’m looking forward to life over 50 as an interesting new chapter filled with more opportunities for growth, reflection, and deeper connection with myself and others.  I hope you are too.