Wondering about occasion and holiday gift ideas?

When it comes to bridal showers, baby showers, birthdays, house warmings, and especially seasonal get togethers like Christmas, I find myself sometimes at a loss as to what I could get someone without being ‘generic’, impractical, or forgettable.  If you are like me, you may want a quick cheat sheet guide that you can whip out to find memorable and useful presents that your special people will like.  Well, you are in luck, for here are some essential oil ideas that could turn the tide!

Based on experience, here are my recommendations for essential oil gifts that could go long ways in a number of situations:

• Bridal shower gift – Try out a combination of Eden’s Garden Aphrodisiac, Sensation, Rose, and Love for the bride. Use in a diffuser or as perfume on the neck and wrists.
• Bridal shower love potion gift – place 20 drops of Sandalwood, 4 drops of Cocoa, and 1 drop of Rose in a container to be used as a perfume.
• Cocoa Vanilla Bliss lotion – place 40 drops Cocoa and 10 drops Vanilla and mix 4oz of Sweet Almond for a sensational lotion.
• Baby shower gift – Scent plug-in or Diffuser with Lavender or French Lavender to bring calm to mother and baby. Great for the kid’s room.
• Expecting mom gift – Morning sickness can be aided with Sweet Orange, Lemon, Peppermint, or Ginger. Can be inhaled straight from the bottle or diluted with Hemp to be rubbed on tummy.
• Father’s Day gift – give him Eden’s Garden Stress Relief or Relaxation for the car with an electric car diffuser for a good mood encourager for work!
• Birthday kit – give a basic essential oil set and diffuser. Browse Eden’s Garden for their variety packs.
• Birthday bath salts – mix 1 cup of Epson salt and baking soda and then 20-30 drops of French Lavender or Ylang Ylang. Use ¼ cup per bath.  Store in a container or mason jar.
• House warming gifts – Make French Lavender sachets for wardrobe by sewing material in squares. Place 5-10 drops of oil on material or filler and store in a plastic bag overnight to infuse the aroma.
• Winter holiday gift – Give Spruce, Cinnamon, Clove, Pine, Fir Needle, or Vanilla with a diffuser or wall diffuser. These fill the home with the scents of comfort and love of the season.  You can even try placing a few drops of each in a simmering hot water pot on the stove to boil and fill the house with holiday cheer!

All of these are meant to be unique, special, and tasteful ideas.  Let me know what you think of them!

For a place to find quality oils, diffusers, accessories, check out Eupterra Foundation and Eupterra’s Store.

Meditative inhalation using aromas and perfumed oils symbolizing acts of spiritual significance can be found through the records and annals of history.  In Eastern religions, incense is frequently used to help one obtain a level state of mind, or in conjunction with an offering.  In the West, folk and institutional uses of essential oils were more directed toward purity and sanctifying a place.  In Africa and the Americas, perfumes and oils had a central role in rituals and celebrations.

Here are a few examples of ways you can use “historic” essential oils in your spiritual practices:

• Inhale 6-12 deep breaths of Frankincense before bed time and meditate on your day for a good night’s rest. Frankincense is said to create clarify of mind, calm the emotions, and enhance spiritual awareness.
• Use Myrrh, Frankincense, Myrtle, or Cypress to pray and anoint each other as seen in the Bible verse “call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.”
• King David in ancient Israel used Hyssop when he prayed the prayer of Psalm 51:10 “Create in me a clean heart oh God and renew a right spirit within me…” Apply Hyssop with Sweet Almond to temples and neck during your reflections and prayers.
• Cassia and Cinnamon are among the holy anointing oils described in scriptures Exodus 30:22-31. Try smelling them before going to a place of worship.
• Before doing yoga, inhale Jasmine or Sweet Marjoram for an enhanced experience.
• Queen Esther in Esther 2:12 was massaged with Myrrh for 6 months in preparation for her marriage. Massage on Myrrh with Rosehip or inhale.
• Spikenard was poured over Jesus of Nazareth’s feet days before he died. Inhale ancient and spiritual Spikenard before meditating on the sacrifice of the cross.

These are just some thoughts on how ancient essential oils were used in spiritual practices or significance of the day.  Perhaps they can be imparting to the modern practices used now by you?

Do you use oils or incense in your spiritual practices or beliefs?  If so, which ones are most preferred?  Feel free to share!

For resources on spiritual practices and their history, visit Eupterra’s Store.