Mindfulness is the practice of living in the present moment. It’s about being fully aware of what’s going on around you and within you so you can respond to your experiences rather than react to them. The benefits of mindfulness are endless, and one of those benefits is how it influences your relationships with others. Mindful gifting means givers are intentional about their gifting, which results in deeper connections with those they love. If you’re looking for ways to give gifts with love and intention this holiday season and beyond, this blog post will give you some great ideas, tips and tricks!

Gift giving is a form of expression and communication. If you give someone a gift with love, you instantly deepen that connection. When you make an effort to put in some thought about the type of gift you are going to give, you create a deeper sense of meaning for the recipient. You also want to be mindful when choosing a gift that reflects your loved one's tastes and interests. This will help them feel as though they are appreciated and valued by you. 

**Things to Look Out For**

When deciding on gifts, there are two important things to keep in mind: what the recipient likes and what they need. Mindful gifting can also be interpreted in different ways depending on your relationship with the recipient. For example, if you know someone is struggling financially, it might be more thoughtful for them to receive cash as opposed to something tangible like clothes or books that may not provide much value or relief in their current situation. On the other hand, if someone close to you is going through a difficult time, it might be more thoughtful for them to receive something personal such as an item with sentimental value or photos from past experiences together.

It’s the season of giving, which means it’s time to deck the halls with boughs of holly … and presents! The best part about this time of year is that it’s a chance to show those you love how much you care. 

If you want to learn about mindful gifting with love and intention, try these tips: 

-Choose a gift that matches their personality. 

-Consider their hobbies or interests. 

-Give your loved one something they can use, rather than another shirt they don't need. 

-Think about what they might need in their daily life. 

-Prepare for the future by giving them something special, like a book or piece of jewelry to commemorate an event or occasion. 

-Put thought into your gift so your loved one knows you put thought into them.

The first step in mindful gifting is to decide what you want to give and why you want to give it. This will help you make the decision about where to buy the gift, who it should be for, and how much it should cost. For example, if you decide you want to purchase a scarf for your mother because she's always cold in winter, then that decision dictates where to buy the gift (online or local store), who it should be for (your mother) and how much it should cost (anywhere between $10-$20).

One way to do mindful gifting with love and intention is by giving unique, thoughtful gifts. You can give a gift that’s personalized for the receiver, such as a photo of the two of you or a gift card to their favorite restaurant. This can be an especially meaningful gesture when the receiver may not be aware of the specific event in which they receive it. You could also give a symbolic gift that reflects your relationship with that person while still being practical, like tickets to their favorite sports team or something they’ve mentioned wanting. For example, if you know your friend loves going to concerts and that she hasn't been able to attend any lately because she's been busy with work, consider getting her concert tickets as a gift this holiday season! Another way for mindful gifting is to give gifts by giving someone the opportunity to do something they enjoy with someone they love. For example, if you know your coworker loves cooking but doesn't get much time to cook at home, consider getting them tickets to go on a food tour with their significant other.

Mindful gifting thinks of ways that could help people grow outside of themselves. One of the best ways to show someone you care about them is by mindful gifting them a book that can change their life. If you have a friend who is looking for a new direction in life, give them one of these books to help guide them on their journey. 

One of the best ways for mindful gifting is to buy gifts that have a larger purpose. For example, instead of purchasing something for someone (or yourself) that has been mass-produced, look for products made by small business owners, women entrepreneurs, and minorities. Buying handmade or locally-made products not only supports small business owners but also reduces your carbon footprint as these items are typically less environmentally harmful than mass-produced goods. Plus, it’s an excellent way to support women entrepreneurs who are trying to overcome the historical biases against them in society. You can also choose mindful gifting that spreads joy and goodwill this holiday season, like donating food or giving money to organizations that provide warm clothes or other essentials during the winter. Another way for mindful gifting is by practicing mindfulness when you give a gift (easy to say but harder to do). It doesn’t have to be something big; it could be something as simple as talking about what’s going on in your day or expressing gratitude for the person you are gifting with your words. These simple actions will make a meaningful difference in your relationships with others this holiday season and actually create mindful gifting!

The bottom line is to be intentional and practice mindful gifting. Mindful gifting creates givers that give gifts slowly and enjoy the anticipation that leads up to their gifting. They think about who they're gifting and why they're gifting it, which helps them connect deeper with the people they love. 

A way to practice mindful gifting is to ask yourself these questions: 

- Is this gift something my loved one would enjoy? 

- Would this gift have a positive effect on the person who I'm giving it to? 

- Is this gift something I can afford? 

- How does this gift make me feel?

Merigold has some great offerings that are great options for mindful gifting.

For an upscale option, Merigold’s Holiday Gift Set is a great option for mindful gifting. This gift set comes with a handmade ceramic bowl made by a female artist which is a part of the ritual kit, and 3 individual face masks - to start. Then, your recipient will get two months of new facial masks delivered to their door. It's the perfect time to give a gift that doesn't end after the initial giving. 

Our Merigold masks are a great mindful gifting option that can be a more mid-range gift option at $28 (which includes three of our powdered organic face masks). Choose from our best-sellers Turmeric Calendula, Mushroom Madness, Blueberry Rose, and Cranberry Beetroot. 

Or try our new Lavender Oat Bath Soak! This is perfect to give the one you love a moment of pause with an aromatic and soothing soak. Each bag is between 4-5 soaks (depending on how much like to use), running at $18. They will feel pampered and relaxed.

All products are made in small batches in our solar-powered location in Denver, Colorado. Each mask box includes 3 individual masks with high-quality, organic clean ingredients, the perfect proportions to make a luxurious moment that leaves skin feeling soft, nourished, and moisturized. These are perfect for mindful gifting. They are a thoughtful way to surprise someone you love this season or any time of year!

Don't forget, mindful gifting means givers are intentional about their gifting, which can result in deeper connections with those you love. Taking the time to pause and chose mindful gifting is a practice that will benefit you as a giver and on a mindfulness level. Happy gifting!