Oops…Xmas is around the corner and you might be missing a few gifts….I like to say that what matters when it comes to presents is not how much we spend on an object, it’s not the brand we bought, it’s about love, time and energy!

A gift made by you has more value in my book that a gift card or a fancy purse or perfume.

If you don’t have time you can head up to vintage stores and buy a product that has been recycled, repurposed or simply cleaned up. You will help the planet with this choice and give a new life to an otherwise disposed of object.

On the picture that illustrates this blog you can see what I have prepared for Christmas: vintage books, candles, bath bombs on sticks, body scrub, home made wooden spoon and a serving platter.

If you don’t like vintage, then go for brands that produce long-lasting quality.

CLOTHES

I love Levi’s jeans because their products outlast all the cheap versions you can find on the market.

The planet is drowning in the 80 billion pieces of clothing made every single year so at least, If you buy something buy something durable.

Levi’s produces jeans without the use of water or harmful chemicals.

That’s also why I love this brand and no I am not sponsored by these guys though if they want to send me a free pair of jeans I won’t say no 🙂

You live in the USA?

Then give the gift of sharing! I am a huge fan and a very early user of Rent The Runway.

They used to only cater to red carpet needs but for the past 3 years they have been offering everyday clothes for a very affordable monthly subscription. I am super proud to say that the vast majority of what I wear hails from RTR! One single item will end up being worn by dozens of women, hereby reducing our overall clothing budget, the impact on the planet and opening up our choices to less conventional styles.

You can totally go for a bright pink with green polka dot jacket, wear it once and return it instead of buying it, wearing it 4 times and hiding it in your closet.

And I would love to give a shout out to Margot, the weaver. This young lady makes amazing scarves, all hand made. Beautifully done, using old weaving techniques that will soon be lost if we keep on buying Zara stuff!

HOUSE

You can make things. Yes. You and yourself. With your hands. Trust me on that!

Make a homemade sugar scrub, gift it in a nice jar with some ribbon and voilà ! You can make more beauty products using my dedicated eBook: “40 DIY Beauty Recipes“.

Create nice cooking jars with all the ingredients one needs for a full recipe: hot chocolate, breakfast, soups, etc…..The sky is the limit!

Make candles. It’s easy (though it can get messy hahaha). Repurpose old tea mugs found in a flea market for instance, or reuse all candle jars.

Don’t have time to make your own? Head to my friends online store Birth Stones Candles. These girls have created monster because I am addicted to their monthly different scents!

I Just called them and they gave me a cool 10% coupon code (BOOTCAMP) and if you order until Friday you can be delivered before Christmas.

Don’t want to offer something physical? Then go the spa and healthy living route and support local businesses: massages, facials, gym memberships, and even private coaching sessions with me or an online coaching membership on LeBootCamp.com !

And finally….your time and love can brighten someone’s day so remember to spend some time in a shelter or in a place where you can truly impact a human in need.

What are you plans for this Xmas?

Love & Namaste

Valérie Orsoni

Your Healthy Living and Weight Loss LeBootCamp Coach