Therapy-Based Gifts for the Holidays
Here is my third annual holiday gift idea list. The following are therapy-based ideas for sharing with loved ones during the holiday. I hope you are inspired.
Support Artisans in Need
Science continues to show that helping others in need has a reciprocal altruistic impact on us, reducing anxiety and alleviating depression. In short, when we help others, we help ourselves because we get a good feeling.
Earlier this year, I wrote about the devastation my family witnessed and experienced during Hurricane Helene that gutted Asheville, NC. This area is still under a water boil advisory, and while their community has banded together, they are exhausted. They deeply depend on the revenue from tourists that come during the fall for the spectacular colors of the Blue Ridge Mountain range. This year, there was an 80% decline in revenue derived from tourist visits due to the hurricane's destruction. This artistic and musical community continues to need your support, and what better way to do that than by buying holiday gifts from the local craftspeople.
https://always.exploreasheville.com/love-asheville — Click on their “Shop Now” button to see a variety of businesses that will ship products. Handwoven goods, hand-crafted leather products, beautiful pieces of art, and plenty of food supplies are some of the products you can choose from. I recommend the addictive Poppy Hand-Crafted Popcorn, all the fantastic spices at Spicewalla, and yummy chocolates from French Broad Chocolate.
https://playsinmud.com/ — If you want handmade pottery pieces, this is your link. Kelsey Schissel, who owns this studio, makes beautiful pieces of pottery art and has an unbelievably generous heart. She has opened her studio to the local Asheville potters impacted by the hurricane and has become a hub to support the rebuilding. Check out her site to learn more.
https://www.burnsvillecandleco.com/— The Burnsville Candle Company (BCC) is in the town of Burnsville, ravaged by the hurricane, where many businesses are entirely gone. Over 7,000 structures were impacted, and many roads were washed away. BCC still has beautiful supplies to sell. Kem Muller, the owner of this woman-owned shop, said, “In a time when, at least for those of us in Western North Carolina, things have gotten pretty dark, we all need a little love and light in our lives.”
These are a few links to help the people of Western North Carolina, but the need is great and ample. Thank you for considering to help a place that is a home away from home for me.
Books
There is always at least one book for me to recommend annually, and this one is genuinely significant.
How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen by David Brooks
David Brooks, an op-ed cultural and political writer for the New York Times, wrote this timely and insightful book about becoming a better listener and embracing personality traits that help one connect more with others. His humorous and personal tales draw you in, but you stay for the easy-to-grasp concepts he researched in conjunction with becoming more skilled at understanding ourselves and others. With his commitment to growth, observation, and curiosity, he has pinpointed how to have better conversations, ask better questions, and deepen connections. You will not be sorry you picked up this read!
May your holidays be filled with growth and exploration!