Holiday Shopping the Feng Shui Way
Gift Giving with a Purpose
By Laura Carucci
The holiday season is once again upon us. Is it just me or did this year fly by at warp speed? The holidays bring with them a hustle and bustle that can include a great deal of emotions from fond, sweet memories of years gone by to stress over holiday travel, family visits and gift giving. My mission is to allay your fears with regard to the gift giving tradition.
Wouldn’t it be nice to give a gift with Feng Shui principles at play? Something that holds a special meaning for the recipient? Some folks immediately start to panic or glaze over at the idea of Feng Shui gift giving. Surely, Feng Shui principles are too intricate and confusing for a mere layperson to utilize successfully.
I’m here to let you in on a little secret: “Feng Shui is the practice of placing or arranging objects in your environment so that they are naturally supportive and pleasing to you… Feng Shui helps you create your own sacred space, a space that embraces you with comfort and harmony, improving the quality of your life by adjusting your living space to support your goals and aspirations”*. If this is true, and it is, then it will be easy for you to find the perfect Feng Shui inspired gift for your loved ones.
A Feng Shui gift should both delight and excite the senses, whether by sound, sight, taste, smell or touch. Each of these senses can heighten or deplete our energy levels, depending on our perception. A scent reminiscent of holiday seasons of yesteryear can bring a childlike grin to our faces and glee to our hearts, whereas the smell of weeks old garbage can create a starkly different expression and energy.
In the art of Feng Shui, a Bagua Map is placed on a space, whether it be an office, home or room. There are nine life areas represented in the Bagua Map. Each area has an element and colors associated with it. You can choose a gift specific to a life area or a gift that transcends all the life areas.
I have found there are three areas in a person’s environment that should be focused on initially. When these areas are addressed, other areas may come into balance and harmony without further adjustments. These three areas are the entrance to a home or office, the bedroom and the office work space. I should also point out that what is going on inside of us is always reflected outwardly in our space. So…
If your loved one seems to be missing out on opportunities in life (business and personal) you may want to purchase something to enhance the front entryway of their home or office. Adding colorful potted plants or statuaries to this area can increase the Chi life force energy entering the space, bringing with it opportunities of all kinds. Maybe there’s room for a nice eye catching seating area at the front entry. Anything done to enhance this area with beauty, inviting attention to it, would be of great benefit to the occupants.
The bedroom is one of the most important areas in the home because we spend a great deal of time in our bedroom sleeping or resting. The bedroom should be a nurturing, embracing, serene, tranquil, comforting space. It is our own private sanctuary and retreat from the world. It’s the place we go to rest, restore and rejuvenate our energy. As such, one great gift for the bedroom would be bedding that feels luxurious. Now, for one person this could mean silky, satiny sheets; to someone else it might mean a high count Egyptian cotton; maybe it’s a gaggle of soft pillows caressing their entire body or a ultra thick comforter. Whatever they find truly scrumptious and yummy is the perfect restorative gift.
The bedroom is also an area you can place the entire Bagua map over to enhance certain life areas. Is your loved one seeking a new, loving relationship? A set of candles would be a great gift for the relationship area, right back corner. The candles can be scented or colored. The color red would be a great option for relationships. Really, a set or pair of anything that represents love to this person would be a wonderful gift.
Maybe your loved one is seeking clarity in a certain area? A set of lamps for each side of the bed could be just the illumination needed.
Perhaps they are on a journey of self?discovery? A beautiful journal and pen would be a welcome addition to jot down those glimpses of genius that come to us late at night or first thing in the morning and seem to disappear as quickly as they arrive. A book of enlightenment in whatever genre they are passionate about would be a perfect choice.
Does your loved need to relax and unwind from the daily stresses of life? Soothing music for the bedroom or a electronic diffuser filled with Lavender Essential Oil would really help in this respect. Essential Oils are a great tool to raise Chi in ourselves and our space. There are so many pleasing scents that can bring a smile to our face or joy to our Soul.
Does your loved one have a desire to travel, but has been unable to do so? A framed photograph or artwork depicting their dream vacation spot would be a great gift to add to the front right area of the bedroom. Every time they enter the space they are reminded of the beauty of the landscape, the smell of the air, the warmth of the sun. It can bring feelings of serenity and fulfillment, whatever their desired location. And as the close their eyes each night that can be the last thing they see, and can bring their dreams to reality.
The office space is truly important for our energy and productivity. Any items to help our loved one get organized in this space are going to be of tremendous benefit. You can place the Bagua on the desk top itself to assist in abundance and productivity. The right top drawer is a great spot for a gift of a business card holder, keeping helpful people organized in their proper place, within easy reach. In the abundance area a dear friend likes to keep a bowl of chocolate coins wrapped in gold foil. What a perfect idea, gold foil and coins to represent abundance, chocolate for a taste of luxury.
Ideally you should be facing the greatest expanse of the room while sitting at your desk. Many times this is not the case, as you are facing a wall with your back to the room. This can be symbolic of turning your back on opportunities. It is also considered a weak position as you never know what/who will be entering the room behind you. If there are physical constraints that prevent the desk from being relocated, then consider buying a mirror or some type of reflective art that can be placed at eye level near your computer screen so you have full view of all opportunities and people entering the work space.
Now for a couple of ideas for the rest of a loved ones space. Music in any room will raise the energy level of the space and the individual within. An electronic diffuser included in any area of the home is an awesome choice. If someone suffers from the winter blues, the scent of oranges, vanilla, chocolate, island blends, et cetera, can lighten their mood. Scents of the holidays can also bring back precious memories and merriment. Scented candles for any room do the same, plus add a spark of fire to ignite prospects in the respective life area.
In the bathroom, help foster a pampered mood for your loved one with thick, soft towels, robe or slippers. Also scented soaps, salts and candles will achieve a heightened enjoyment of a relaxing soak in the tub.
As you can see, finding the perfect Feng Shui gift can be both economical and easy. No matter your budget, you can discover a present that will be truly uplifting and inspiring. And may I suggest you shop for that prefect Feng Shui gift for the most important person of all, you. Treat yourself. You deserve it. May you have a truly joyful and blessed holiday!
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Laura Carucci co?host of OmTimes Radio Now Age Zen Show and owner of Zenmetry, LLC. Laura is a certified Advanced Interior Alignment Practitioner, Reiki Master Teacher, Soul Coaching Oracle Card Reader and licensed Hypno?Counsellor. Laura’s AIA certification includes Instinctive Feng Shui, Medicine Wheel Feng Shui, Space Clearing, Blessing Ceremonies and Synchro?Alignment. Laura provides in?person and remote services as well as classes on Feng Shui and Reiki topics. For more info visit: Http://zenmetry.com/ http://harmonylifedesign.com/Laura/ and on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ZenmetryLLC
