HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
Zero-Waste Holidays:
Creative Card Recycling Ideas
Gift Wrapping 101:
Make Presents Pop with Style
QUARTERLY SUBSCRIPTION BOX Elevate your well-being with handpicked holistic treasures, right at your doorstep.
SUBSCRIBE TODAY
Experience the essence of each season with Therapeutic Thymes Magazine’s Quarterly Subscription Box. Four boxes filled with wellness surprises, and the 5th one is on us. Subscribe now!
717-419-8796
EDITOR | PUBLISHER | SPECIAL EVENTS Jeanne Ruczhak-Eckman EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Mary Soanes ADVERTISING MANAGER admanager@therapeuticthymes.com IT & LOGISTICS Glenn Eckman CREATIVE DIRECTOR Alex Lucas of Oh The Raven Studio | ohtheraven.com EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Article guidelines are available on our website therapeuticthymes.com/submissions ADVERTISING INFORMATION To request a media kit, please email info@therapeuticthymes.com or call 717-419-8796. WHOLESALES: Interested in carrying Therapeutic Thymes in your store on shop? Email info@therapeuticthymes.com or write us at the address below. OFFICE Therapeutic Thymes, LLC PO Box 4731 | Lancaster, PA 17604 Phone: 717-419-8796 | info@therapeuticthymes.com © 2023 by Therapeutic Thymes, LLC. | All rights reserved. | ISSN 2474-8315
SPECIAL EDITION | 2023 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
MISSION
Therapeutic Thymes is dedicated to promoting a more natural, therapeutic, and sustainable way of life. We serve as a resource to the mind, body, and spirit community through our print and digital publications and our hosted and sponsored events. SUBSCRIPTIONS
Subscribe today and save! Subscriptions are available by sending your check for $20 (for 4 issues) or you can pay online using a credit card. DIGITAL ISSUES:
Therapeutic Thymes is now available digitally thru Issuu. Check it out at: issuu.com/therapeuticthymes. DISCLAIMER
Therapeutic Thymes, LLC does not necessarily endorse the opinions and statements expressed in the articles and advertisements. We are also not responsible for any products or services advertised. If you have a condition requiring medical attention, you should see your primary physician. © 2023, Therapeutic Thymes, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
readers resources
CONNECTING OUR AND
RESOURCE DIRECTORY IS AVILABLE AT:
THERAPEUTICTHYMES.COM/RESOURCES-2
2 | Therapeutic Thymes Magazine
HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
CONTENTS How to Reuse Holiday Cards Holiday Gift Guide
Tips for Gift Wrapping How to Prolong the Life of Your Tree
10 Stocking Stuffer Ideas
DEPARTMENTS 04
Editor’s Note
COVER IMAGE
By vlada karpovich via Pexels
Holiday Gift Guide 2023 | 3
Handmade intention-based essential oil blends kissed softly by the full moon.
ORDER TODAY!
Wholesale and retail available! 717-419-8796
EDITOR'S NOTE
Welcome to our Holiday Gift Guide! As the holiday season approaches, we are thrilled to introduce our inaugural Holiday Gift Guide, a heartfelt and sustainable celebration of giving. Inside, you'll find a carefully curated selection of gifts, suitable for all ages, aimed at fostering wellness and self-care. In this special edition, we've not only gathered unique gift ideas but also delved into creative and holistic practices for making the holiday season more meaningful. Discover how to repurpose holiday cards, wrap your gifts with eco-friendly finesse, and find inspiration for stocking stuffers that spread joy. Plus, we share tips on making your holiday tree last, embracing the spirit of renewal in every corner of your home. We invite you to explore these pages, drawing inspiration from the tips, tricks, and heartfelt gifts within. As you embrace the holiday spirit, remember that it's not just about presents but the love, care, and thoughtfulness behind each one. Wishing you a season filled with joy, wellness, and the warmth of loved ones.
With gratitude and holiday blessings, ~ Jeanne Ruczhak-Eckman Editor / Publisher
6 | Therapeutic Thymes Magazine
How to Reuse Holiday Cards Holiday Gift Guide 2023 | 7
There is something about receiving a holiday card from a loved one. What do you do with all those cards though after the season? Here are some creative ways to put those cards to new use once this holiday season has come and gone.
Make your own gift tags.
Decorate your packages.
Card stock is the perfect medium to turn into gift tags for presents. Cut the cards into squares or rectangles to create whatever shape you desire. You can also cut around shapes. Then use a hole punch to create a space for ribbon or another tie. Use the tag to dress up gifts with something more unique than self-stick tags.
Instead of overspending on preprinted gift bags, make your own. Buy plain bags in a solid color and then embellish them with cutout patterns or pictures from holiday cards.
Make magnets. All it takes is scissors, some glue, and sheets of magnet for a decorative and fun craft project. Turn favorite holiday cards into mementos that can be saved year after year, which also will dress up refrigerators or other magnetic surfaces. This idea works well for photo greeting cards as well.
Frame favorite cards. Make greeting cards a permanent part of holiday decor by framing the most decorative ones you receive. Use these frames year after year and put them on display with other holiday decorations. This also works great for those photo cards!
Make confetti. Shred older cards for confetti. Fill gift boxes or bags with homemade confetti made from recycled cards. ❁
Originally published in our Winter 2016 Issue.
8 | Therapeutic Thymes Magazine
Holiday Gift Guide 2023 | 9
10 | Therapeutic Thymes Magazine
Holiday Gift Guide Welcome to Therapeutic Thymes Magazine's Inaugural Holiday Gift Guide, a curated selection of thoughtful gifts suitable for all ages. Explore our guide featuring items such as anxietyrelief books for children, enchanting woodland adventures, handcrafted bags, inspiring journals, wholesome natural teas, and a treasure trove of other remarkable finds.
Holiday Gift Guide 2023 | 11
HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
Vibrant Original Paintings by Camille Leon
Let artist Camille Leon's vivid and creative abstract artwork infuse joy and energy into your space. Borrowing from spiritual traditions and modern design, Camille's soulful canvases range in size from stocking stuffers with their own display stands to large triptychs. Pictured: Mustard Seed Miracles (top right), Modern Bright Flower series Custom requests are welcome! camilleleonstudio.com
12 Therapeutic Thymes Magazine
HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
Buddha's Bling Buddha's Bling offers handmande reiki infused jewelry and crystals. Each piece is hand-picked and ready to go with you on your Spiritual Journey. buddhasbling.com
My Herbal Apothecary Naturally supporting your health is the ultimate act of self-care. Check out our organic offerings to stock your medicine chest this holiday season. Use promo code THERAPEUTIC15 to receive 15% off your next order. myherbalapothecary.com
The Forest Story
from Locust Light Farm Embark on a magical forest adventure as you help gnomes and fairies keep the forest ecosystem running smoothly, making ample mischief along the way. A choose-your-own-path story delivered via email. locustlightfarm.com/the-forest-story
Holiday Gift Guide 2023 | 13
HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
13: The Herbalism + Plant Magic Mini Course Become a confident herbalist in 4 months without memorizing anything. 13 herbs. 5 tools. Water. Bite-sized lessons- delivered weekly to your inbox, designed to fit into your life. locustlightfarm.com/13-the-herbalism-plantmagic-mini-course
NFT USA Bag Discover the epitome of exclusivity! My handmade bags are true masterpieces, meticulously crafted to perfection. Each one is a unique work of art, never to be duplicated. Experience luxury like never before! facebook.com/NFT.USA.BAG.Official
Mystical Thymes Mystical Thymes is a collection of intention-based essential oil blends kissed softly by the full moon. Division of Therapeutic Thymes. facebook.com/mysticalthymes
14 Therapeutic Thymes Magazine
HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
William, The What-Wonder Series by Carol Wulff Join William, The What-If Wonder, on his adventures! On his first day of school, William battles nervous what-if thoughts. In "His Sleepover Worries," he faces new fears but seeks fun with friends. These rhyming tales, featuring charming illustrations, teach kids to conquer anxiety through cognitive re-framing. Accompanied by insights from psychologist Margaret R. Mauzé, PhD, ABPP, these books guide parents and caregivers in nurturing resilient problem-solvers. thewhatifwonder.com/books
Holiday Gift Guide 2023 | 15
HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
2024 Affirmation Journal by Sharon Salerno-Muzzio, The Wellness Woman 52 weeks of positive affirmations to work with daily. Looking deep into what blocks you in a very gradual gentle way to create a shift. altaviewwellness.com
16 Therapeutic Thymes Magazine
HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
Virgin Tiger Moth Downloadable Paper Entomology Kit Create as many striking Virgin Tiger Moths as your heart desires with this resuable kit! Aside from access to a printer, all you need to get started on getting into a new, cruelty-free form of vulture culture and specimen collection are a few basic art supplies and this downloadable kit. beastieandbone.com/shopall
Smooth Acres Finest Soaps All-Natural Soap made on the farm using the highest quality ingredients, including milk from our East Friesian dairy sheep, whom we milk. We also grow fresh herbs, fruits, and berries for use in some of our soaps. Sheep Milk soap is ultramoisturizing and a gentle yet effective cleaner. It has more than double the proteins, vitamins, and minerals than cow or goats milk, which benefits our skin. smoothacresfinest.com
Petals Tea Shop Petals Tea Shop is a small, family-owned business that takes our commitment to people and the planet seriously. You have our promise that each Petals product is made with love, positivity, and sustainable practices. We pride ourselves in pouring our hearts into every cup and using our resources to give back to our community. petalsteashop.com
Holiday Gift Guide 2023 | 17
18 | Therapeutic Thymes Magazine
10 STOCKING STUFFER IDEAS
Holiday Gift Guide 2023 | 19
Stockings were always one of my favorite traditions growing up. Lots of unique little things! Daddy would fill the toe of Mom’s with sponges, and she included a honey dipper one year. I used to add a lip balm or two in my girls’ stockings each year. My sister and I got a Disney toy one year and she guessed right away that we were going to Florida. I was wondering why she gave me such a toy! So, what are some great stocking stuffer ideas?
Check out these: Books
So many choices but try and make it personal. Look through our Book Thymes Section, in our past issues for ideas! issuu.com/therapeuticthymes
Candles
Ritual candles. Smell good candles. Plain candles. So many to choose from. Two favorites of ours are Enchanted Botanicals (enchantedbotanicals.com) and Cat’s Candles (catscandles.net). Deb Schaffer blends organic herbs and flowers with a dash of magic for wonderful intention-based and seasonal candles.
20 | Therapeutic Thymes Magazine
I especially love her Wild Roses candle - it reminds me of my maternal grandmother – and her Samhain Candle. Cat’s Candles offers a variety of scented candles in all sorts of designs. Both ladies provide online shipping as well as in person at various events.
Earrings
One of our readers suggested she would like earrings in her stocking. What a great idea! I recently bought myself a beautiful, handcrafted pair of green aventurine earrings from GS Designs. Reasonably priced. One of a kind piece. twistedandbent.com
Oh The Raven Studio & Shop graphic design + art direction
LETS CREATE SOMETHING MAGICAL!
ohtheraven.com
shop nerdy creativeness and designer creations at etsy . com / shop / ohtheraven use code ‘ thymes 25 off ’ for 25% off !
Holiday Gift Guide 2023 | 21
IMAGE ONE: MYSTICAL THYMES ESSENTIAL OILS; IMAGE TWO: DRAKES CREEL SOAP COMPANY
Essential Oil Blends
Blending essential oils can create beautiful aromas. Mystical Thymes has created an intention-based line of essential oils. Coming out, in time for the holidays, is the anticipated Deity Line. facebook.com/mysticalthymes
Gift Certificates
Gift certificates are great stocking stuffers; they slip right down in that little toe spot! They are also good for gifting services instead of a physical product. Check out the wellness centers near you loved one. Most provide gift certificates for reiki sessions, massage therapy, readings, and more. Great way to support small business too!
22 | Therapeutic Thymes Magazine
Journals
Journals are a great present for anyone looking to release, or learn, or simply keep track of things. Most metaphysical stores will carry journals, as well as the box stores. Keep your recipient in mind when selecting a journal. Think about the cover design. Would they prefer a hard cover or paperback? Lined or unlined? If that is too much, consider journaling tools. Try different colored pens and stickers.
Soap
Relax with Lavender or Lemongrass Scented Soap. Have a mechanic on your list? Try Mechanic’s Soap by Drakes Creek Soap Company. These soap bars are natural, and plant based. drakescreeksoapcompany.com
IMAGE ONE: FALL ISSUE OF THERAPEUTIC THYMES MAGAZINE; IMAGE TWO: TULSI FIELDS FARM TEA
Subscription to Therapeutic Thymes!
Have a reader on your list? Give a subscription to Therapeutic Thymes. We offer subscriptions to both the magazine and our seasonal box. therapeuticthymes.com/subscribe
Tarot Deck
Llewellyn (llewellyn.com) is probably the largest publisher of tarot decks. They are generally carried by most holistic shops. If your recipient is new to tarot, remember to get the accompanying book.
Tea Leaves
Tulsi Fields Farm offers a variety of herbal teas. Medicinal and yummy. He has included a one-ounce bag of Hyssop/Lemon Balm in our Winter Box. tulsifieldsfarm.square.site
LLEWELLYN BEE TAROT BY KRISTOFFER HUGHES
Holiday Gift Guide 2023 | 23
24 | Therapeutic Thymes Magazine
TIPS FOR
Gift Wrapping Shopping is by far the fun part of holiday gift giving. Wrapping those gifts on the other hand is not so exciting. Many malls permit non-profit groups to come in and wrap gifts, accepting donations for that service. That is certainly one solution. Below are some tips to make your gift wrapping less stressful.
Relearn the basics. Watch online tutorials prior to wrapping gifts so the lessons learned remain fresh in your mind. Learn how to wrap standard clothing gift boxes and recognize that such boxes can often be used to house oddly shaped items.
for the last minute and reduces the likelihood that curious kids or inquisitive spouses discover gifts before the big day. The downfall to this one is forgetting what you bought way back in the Spring and then finding out that you got two of the same item!
Wrap as you buy.
Work on a hard surface.
Instead of getting bogged down with wrapping all in one evening, wrap presents as you purchase them. This ensures that you don't leave everything
It may be tempting to lay everything out on your bed and wrap gifts while you're bingewatching your favorite show, but hard surfaces make the
Holiday Gift Guide 2023 | 25
person's gifts from another's. This can keep things more organized when sorting and visiting with friends and relatives later on.
Keep gift bags on hand best places to wrap gifts. This ensures there will not be any wrinkles in the paper and that you will not lose supplies in the bedspread.
Gift bags work in a pinch and make it easy to conceal gifts that are hard to wrap. Curious loved ones can easily peak inside gift bags, so be sure to wrap gifts in tissue paper before placing them in the bags.
Rely on double-sided tape.
Less is usually more
For that professional look, invest in some double-sized tape so you will not have any unsightly tape lines.
Keep all of your supplies together. Store wrapping paper, scissors, tags, tape, ribbons, and whatever else you may need to wrap gifts in one convenient location. This cuts down on time wasted hunting for supplies around the house.
Use decorated gift boxes.
Do not use too much paper when wrapping; otherwise, you will be left with bulky, sloppy folds. Before trimming the gift wrap from the roll, check that it overlaps the ends of the box by just a couple of inches. A sturdy paper will help you achieve crisper folds and prevent tears when wrapping.
The process of wrapping holiday gifts can go more smoothly when applying some timetested tips and tricks. ❁
If you find yourself short on time, the decorated gift boxes are great. Slap a bow on it and a gift label and you are done.
Identify recipients by gift wrap. Designate one gift wrap for each person on your shopping list. This way you can easily distinguish one
26 | Therapeutic Thymes Magazine
Originally published in our Winter 2016 Issue
Holiday Gift Guide 2023 | 27
HOW TO PROLONG THE LIFE OF YOUR TREE
Trees are symbols of the holiday season and the spirit of giving that the season champions. Choosing and decorating a tree is a tradition for many families, and depending on the trees they choose, families may have some work to do to keep their trees glowing all season long. Artificial trees require little, if any, maintenance. But live trees, which some people feel are more authentic and welcoming than their artificial counterparts, require daily maintenance. In addition to supplying the tree with water at least once per day, live tree owners can take these steps to prolong the life of their trees.
Holiday Gift Guide 2023 | 29
🌲 PROTECT THE TREE ON THE
WAY HOME. Your tree might be vulnerable to damage as you transport it from the farm to your living room. Unwrapped trees placed atop vehicles can be dried out by the wind. Prevent wind damage by wrapping the tree if you plan to place it atop your vehicle. If possible, lay the tree in the bed of a pickup truck and close the cover over the bed. If you do not have access to a pickup truck but can use a minivan or SUV to transport your tree, see if the tree fits inside your vehicle. If it does not, wrap it tightly in a blanket or another form of cover, making sure the cover will not blow off in the wind when you hit the open road. Many nurseries or tree lots will wrap your tree for you at no extra charge.
🌲 HAVE THE TREE CUT BEFORE
YOU TAKE IT OFF THE LOT. If you typically purchase your tree from a nursery or tree lot instead of a tree farm, then remember to ask the seller to recut the stem of the tree before you take it home. Tree farm trees are freshly cut, but trees sold away from the farm might have been chopped down weeks before they are ultimately sold. During the interval between being cut down and sold, trees' vascular systems can clog and prevent the tree from getting the water it needs to survive the season. A fresh cut of the stem unclogs the system and ensures the tree will be able to consume water.
🌲 AVOID PLACING THE TREE
NEAR HEATERS OR DRAFTY WINDOWS. Placing a live tree near a potentially hot heating vent poses a fire hazard It also can dry out the tree,
30 | Therapeutic Thymes Magazine
Holiday Gift Guide 2023 | 31
decreasing the chances it will make it through the season. Placing the tree near drafty windows also can dry out the tree, so try to find a spot in your home with a consistent temperature.
🌲 WATER THE TREE OFTEN.
TREES NEED LOTS OF WATER TO MAKE IT THROUGH THE SEASON. You may notice the water in the tree stand disappears quickly when you first bring the tree home. That is because freshly cut trees will consume more water than trees that were cut several weeks ago. As the season goes on and the tree's vascular system begins to clog, you might not need to water the tree as much as you did when you first brought it home. But check the tree's water stand twice per day
when you first bring it home, refilling the stand with water whenever necessary. A few tricks of the trade can help holiday celebrants maintain lush, awe-inspiring trees throughout the holiday season. ❁ Originally published in our Winter 2016 Issue
Are you interesting in learning more abour your family history? Need help connecting to your ancestors? Jeanne Ruczhak-Eckman can help you connect to your ancestors and walk your Ancestral Passage. Learn More at ancestralpassages.com @AncestralPass
@AncestralPassages
Contact Jeanne at jeanne.eckman@comcast.net or 717-419-8796 SCAN ME!
Holiday Gift Guide 2023 | 33
Enjoy the Benefits
of Holistic & Natural Health on Your Phone or Tablet! Our digital issues are now available on Issuu.com/therapeuticthymes
SCAN ME
36 | Therapeutic Thymes Magazine
