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It’s time to gear up for the holidays and before you plunk down lots of $$$ you might want to check this awesome guide to gift giving with maximum good juju!

The best gifts are meaningful and invested with their own story.  Some of the coolest gifts I’ve ever received: a gift certificate to lend money at Kiva, handmade cards and art, green beauty products and yes, crystals!  All such good energy, all feel so good, you know?!

Today I am so psyched to share Carol Olmstead’s feng shui gift giving Do & Don’t list!  Its an excellent way to plan unforgettable holiday gifts for your friends and family…! 

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Feng Shui Holiday Gift Do’s and Don’ts by Carol M. Olmstead

Like it or not, the holiday gift shopping season started early this year, with many stores displaying their Christmas decorations the day after Halloween. You may not feel ready to jump head first into holiday shopping (I certainly don’t), but if you mix a little Feng Shui planning into your gift list at least you can reduce some of the stress. Whenever you’re ready to venture into the crowded stores or to start your cybershopping for those perfect Hanukkah and Christmas gifts, be careful what you choose because your gifts may have hidden meaning in Feng Shui terms. Here are my top five Feng Shui holiday gift giving “do’s and don’ts,” plus some ways to turn around any negative Feng Shui meaning in gifts you receive.

(I love this wallet enough that I’d happily acceot it empty as a gift!)

Feng Shui Gift Giving Dos and Don’ts #1: Avoid giving an empty wallet, purse, tote, or briefcase because it represents the lack of prosperity. Instead, do give any of these filled with cash to send the message that your gift will always be overflowing with wealth for the recipient. I especially like the idea of giving a new red wallet with a $50 bill – or the largest bill you can afford – tucked inside.

Feng Shui Gift Giving Dos and Don’ts #2: Avoid giving knives or sharp objects because these represent cutting a relationship. Instead, do give a gift card and a picture of the object. If you receive a sharp object as a gift, hand over a coin to the giver to symbolize that you bought the object, and restore the bond between you.

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Feng Shui Gift Giving Dos and Don’ts #3: Avoid giving cactus, spiky plants, and roses with the thorns still on the stems because they symbolize piercing a relationship. Instead, do give a living plant, especially one with rounded leaves in a red pot to symbolize prosperity. If you receive roses be sure to remove the thorns to symbolize a smooth romance or relationship.

Feng Shui Gift Giving Dos and Don’ts #4: Avoid giving bonsai trees or other miniature plants because they symbolize stunted growth in the bagua area where you locate them. If you receive one and feel you have to keep it, display it surrounded by other plants that have colorful, sweet-smelling flowers. A better gift choice to attract positive chi to a home is a wind chime to hang by the front door.

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Feng Shui Gift Giving Dos and Don’ts #5: Avoid giving gifts that show time, like clocks and watches, because they symbolize stealing time and a limited life span. Here is another chance to give a gift card and a photo so the recipient can pick out his or her own watch. A better alternative is to give precious stones to help attract health and longevity, especially turquoise for healing or amber to protect health.

The Feng Shui of Regifting. I am often asked how Feng Shui principles view re-gifting. Re-gifting is definitely Feng Shui-friendly because it removes things you don’t want from your home and sends them to a place where they are welcome. Just be sure to avoid re-gifting if you have negative feelings about the gift or its original giver, since you might be passing along your negative thoughts to the next recipient.

Brilliant Carol! I love your work!  xoxo Dana