Holiday Gift Guide
Christmas Gifts for The 8 Elements
If you’re making your list for the gift giving season, consider taking the personal element of your friends and family into consideration. Whether you’re planning to buy presents to put under the tree, spend money on an experience or subscription, create something handmade or provide an act of service, knowing your loved one’s personal element will help you give them a gift that will make them feel seen, known and well-loved. Even if gifts are not your or their primary love language, you’ll be able to select a thoughtful gift that can be be given with intention and received with appreciation.
Discover the personal elements of the special people in your life here.
Gift Wrapped Presents
Each of The 8 Elements have shapes and colors, materials and prints that are associated with their personal feng shui element. For example: When I purchased a shungite EMF protective stone for my Mother Earth daughter, I chose the cube instead of the pyramid. And when I had an orgonite made for my Soft Metal son, I requested a red sphere with silver metals.
Personal elements tend to be attracted to the shapes associated with their elements. A couple I knew, had a beautiful coffee table made from the trunk of a tree holding up an amoeba shaped glass tabletop. The husband was Soft Wood and the wife was Water.
The 8 Element Shapes:
Water: Asymmetrical, Amoeba, Freeform, Kidney, Wavy Lines
Mother Earth: Square, Horizontal Rectangle, Cube, Sphere, Straight Horizontal Lines
Hard Wood: Column, Vertical Rectangle, Straight Vertical Lines
Soft Wood: Column, Vertical Rectangle, Cone, Straight Vertical Lines
Hard Metal: Circle, Oval, Hexagon, Arch, Spirals, Curved & Scalloped Lines
Soft Metal: Circle, Oval, Arch, Spirals, Curved & Scalloped Lines
Mountain Earth: Square, Horizontal Rectangle, Octagon, Diagonal & Zig Zag Lines
Fire: Triangle, Pyramid, Arrow, Star, Eye, Heart, Angled Lines
Whether you’re selecting a cashmere sweater or silk robe, fuzzy socks or cozy blanket, this guide will help you find one in their personal element’s comfort and happy colors. The 8 Elements’ HAPPY colors are in bold type.
The 8 Element Colors
Water: Black, Dark Blue, Deep Purple, Iridescent
Mother Earth: Yellow, Brown (espresso to sand) Neutral, Nude, Blush, Terracotta & Pink
Hard Wood: Green (all shades) & Orange (coral, salmon, pink grapefruit)
Soft Wood: Dark Green (evergreen) & Lavender
Hard Metal: White, Gray, Metallics (gold, silver, platinum) & Rainbow Colors
Soft Metal: White, Gray, Metallics (gold, silver, copper) Red & Pastels
Mountain Earth: Yellow, Brown (espresso to sand), Neutral & Nude
Fire: Red Spectrum (red, orange, purple, fuchsia, pink, mauve, peach)
When selecting a gift, consider the element of the material. For example, if you were to give a jewelry box as a gift, select one that will resonate with their personal element - wood for Wood elements, leather or silk for Fire elements, porcelain for Earth elements, metal for Metal elements and a mother of pearl or mirrored box for Water elements.
The 8 Element Materials:
Water: transparent and reflective materials like glass, cut crystal, mirror, black lacquer, clear acrylic, sheer chiffon or iridescent like mother of pearl
Mother Earth: adobe, terracotta, brick, tile, ceramic, porcelain, pottery, earthenware, stoneware, Himalayan salt, gemstones, crystals, minerals
Hard Wood: wood, bark, leaves and textiles made from natural plant fibers like hemp, ramie, cotton and flax to make linen
Soft Wood: wood, bark, and textiles made from tree fibers like bamboo and the wood pulp of trees like eucalyptus, pine and beech to make the semi-synthetic viscose (rayon)
Hard Metal: gold, silver, bronze, iron, cast iron, steel
Soft Metal: gold, silver, copper
Mountain Earth: adobe, terracotta, brick, tile, ceramic, porcelain, pottery, earthenware, stoneware, Himalayan salt, gemstones, crystals, minerals
Fire: alpaca, cashmere, fur, leather, snakeskin, bones, feathers, silk, shearling fleece, lambskin, sheepskin and wool
Prints are another feature of a gift to take into consideration. For example, as a Water element, I would NEVER wear an animal print. A Fire element might love a scarf or pajama pants with a leopard or cheetah print.
The Five Element Prints:
Wood: floral and plant prints (flowers, leaves, vines, fruit, herbs), paisley, crazy quilt, vertical stripes
Fire: animal prints (cheetah, leopard, scales, snakeskin, tiger, zebra), animal shapes, eyes, flames, hearts, stars, pyramids, triangles and pointed arrows
Earth: geometric patterns, hieroglyphics, symbols, graphic (2 dimensional) art, logos, language (words, verbiage), argyle, checked, plaid, tartan, patchwork quilt, cubes and squares, spheres, human body shapes, zig zag lines and horizontal stripes
Metal: solids, polka dots, rainbow tie-dye, head silhouettes, constellations, clouds, rainbows, circles, ovals, arches, spirals, curved lines
Water: freeform designs, amoeba, bubbles, mirror images, raindrops, reflections, ripples, ombre, watercolor, wavy lines
Experiences
Some of the best gifts can’t be wrapped and placed under the tree. They’re experiences you have and memories you make with the people you love and who cherish you. So, whether you buy tickets to a concert or opera, ballet or ballgame, choose an experience they will look forward to and enjoy.
Establish some new holiday traditions like going to the local Christmas parade, craft fair, festival or market. Or, get tickets to a performance of your local ballet company’s production of The Nutcracker. Plan some winter outings and activities like a family ski trip or ice skating. Go see a movie on Christmas Day.
Find some festive fun to do that’s free. Make some peppermint hot chocolate and take a drive to see Christmas lights or go caroling through the neighborhood. Have a Christmas movie marathon in cozy pjs while decorating gingerbread houses. Or, spend the afternoon making holiday decorations, homemade ornaments or Christmas cookies.
Water: Concert Tickets, Lake or Beach Day Trip
Mother Earth: Weekend Getaway, Staycation
Hard Wood: Botanical Garden, Christmas Craft Fair, Farmers’ Market, Garden Show
Soft Wood: Arboretum or Forest Walk, Christmas Tree Shopping or Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Hard Metal: Christmas Market, Christmas Vacation
Soft Metal: Comedy Show, Theme Park Tickets, Art Gallery or Museum
Mountain Earth: Aerial Tram Ride, Day Spa
Fire: Tickets to a Play, Musical or Dinner Theater, Zoo or Wild Animal Park
Subscriptions
Annual subscriptions are the gifts that keep on giving. So, whether the people on your list like healthy meals or good books, fine wine or fair trade coffee, there are monthly subscriptions for almost every interest. My parents would gift me and my sister subscriptions to magazines we liked. And we would look forward to getting them in the mail box each month throughout the year.
See below for subscription ideas in the Holiday Gift Guide for The 8 Elements.
Homemade Gifts
There are numerous ideas for homemade gifts from original art to knitted scarves, Christmas cookies to holiday fudge. The following homemade gifts are all contained in a mason jar that you can add ingredients or items to and decorate with labels and some ribbon. Make sure to include instructions, if any.
Water: Winter Bath Salts
Mother Earth: Peppermint Brownie Mix
Hard Wood: Einkorn Sourdough Starter
Soft Wood: Vanilla (vanilla pods steeped in brandy, spiced rum or vodka)
Hard Metal: Christmas Simmer Pot (pine, rosemary, star anise, clove, cinnamon sticks, cranberries, orange peel)
Soft Metal: Seasoning Blends
Mountain Earth: Peppermint Sugar Hand Scrub
Fire: Beeswax Candle with cotton wick and scented with essential oils
Hostess Gifts
This time of year, friends and family, companies and colleagues might be hosting a holiday party. So, whether it’s a festive dinner or fun cookie exchange, it’s thoughtful to bring a gift for the host/hostess to show your appreciation for their hospitality. You can always ask what they’d like you to bring to the event. Or, if you know their personal element, bring them something for their home or for them to enjoy after the party is over and the house is put back in order.
Water: Wine or Sparking Juice, Glassware
Mother Earth: Marble Charcuterie Board, Bath Salts
Hard Wood: Potted Plant like a Christmas Amaryllis or cone-shaped Rosemary
Soft Wood: Holiday Floral Arrangement. Potted Mini Evergreen
Hard Metal: Metal Serving Bowl or Platter, Personalized Ornament
Soft Metal: Cookie Tin, Game
Mountain Earth: Side Dish or Dessert, Body Products
Fire: Red Poinsettia, Beeswax Taper Candles
Gift Certificates
Sometimes a gift certificate can be one of the best things you can give someone. This is especially true for people who tend to be more minimal or very particular when it comes to material gifts. A gift certificate for a massage or spa treatment might be something they would really enjoy but wouldn’t spend the money on for themselves.
All of my Inner Chi Mastery offerings and Feng Shui consultation and coaching services are available to be gifted. Visit my website to read about my offerings and service. Contact me to purchase gift certificates. I will send you an image you can text or email to your loved one on Christmas Day!
Holiday Gift Guide
The following lists recommend 10 gift ideas for each of The 8 Elements. Get inspired to make your gift giving thoughtful, meaningful and intentional this year. And have fun getting into the spirit of Christmas!
Advent calendars aren’t just for cheap milk chocolates anymore. There are advent calendars with flavored coffees and festive herbal teas, treats for dogs and cats, toys and legos for children, lip balms and bath bombs, skin care and makeup, whiskey and wine, jams and jellies. Or, you can buy a wooden advent calendar and put your own little wrapped gifts in the drawers. Or, just hide individually wrapped gifts in the Christmas tree for everyone to find and unwrap each day leading up to Christmas.
Have an avid reader or book lover in your life? Thrift or purchase 12 books on their TBR or in their favorite genres. Then, wrap each one and give them a book a day for the 12 Days of Christmas.
Classic, vintage Christmas is “in” this year. Toys from the last century might be a fun, novelty gift, especially if you’re looking for items that don’t require batteries or an Internet connection. Bring some old fashioned screen-free play time back to Christmas morning for the young and old alike!
Themed gift baskets are fun and easy to put together. Or, find gift sets already curated and boxed. Or, select a subscription box that will be delivered once a month.
Water
Advent Calendar: Mini Liquors, Wine or Whiskey
Vintage Toy: Sled, Ice Skates
Gift Set: Bath Salts and Bombs with a bathtub caddy tray
Jewelry: Pearl or Angel Aura Crystal, Earrings
Winter Clothing: Ear Muffs
Stocking Stuffer: LMNT electrolytes
Christmas Treat: Cranberry Bliss Bar
Digital: Audiobook or Album
Subscription: Audible or Spotify
Gift Certificate: Distance Reiki Healing Session
Mother Earth
Advent Calendar: Chocolate or National Geographic Gemstone
Vintage Toy: Baby Doll, Teddy Bear, Snow Globe
Gift Basket: Hot Cocoa Bar
Jewelry: Crystal, Rose Quartz, Heart Locket or Friendship Necklace
Winter Clothing: Plaid Flannel Pajama Set
Stocking Stuffer: Mini Candy Cane
Christmas Treat: Peppermint Snickerdoodles
Digital: Portable Phone Charger
Subscription: Meal Kit
Gift Certificate: Relationship Dynamics Coaching Session
Hard Wood
Advent Calendar: Festive Herbal Teas, Bonne Maman Mini Jams & Jellies
Vintage Toy: Nutcracker, Wooden Tinkertoy Construction Set
Gift Basket: Seasonal Fruit (pears, persimmons, pomegranates)
Jewelry: Jade, Necklace or Anklet
Winter Clothing: Warm Scarf, Socks or Slippers
Stocking Stuffer: Clementine
Christmas Treat: Gingerbread
Digital: Craftsy
Subscription: Book of the Month
Gift Certificate: Emotion Clearing Session
Soft Wood
Advent Calendar: L.L. Bean Woodland Advent Calendar, Skincare or Makeup
Vintage Toy: Toboggan, Wooden Rocking or Hobby Horse
Gift Set: Essential Oil Diffuser with a coniferous essential oil blend
Jewelry: Amethyst, Mala wooden beaded necklace
Winter Clothing: Warm Robe or Dressing Gown
Stocking Stuffer: Sheet Mask
Christmas Treat: Christmas Tree shaped mini cakes, cookies or candy
Digital: Kindle Unlimited
Subscription: Thrive Market
Gift Certificate: Personal Energy Coaching Session
Hard Metal
Advent Calendar: Gourmet Food
Vintage Toy: Train Set, Toy Soldier, Matchbox Car, Yo-Yo
Gift Set: A personalized pen and letter opener, key chain or luggage tags
Jewelry: Gold or Platinum, Watch, Broach or Tiara
Winter Clothing: Puffer Vest, Beanie
Stocking Stuffer: Metal Straw Set
Christmas Treat: Danish Kringle
Digital: Car Phone Holder
Subscription: Headspace meditation app
Gift Certificate: Business Name Numerology Guide or Feng Shui for Business
Soft Metal
Advent Calendar: Uncommon Goods 12 Days of Brainteasers
Vintage Toy: Metal Slinky or Spinning Top, Musical Jewelry Box
Gift Set: Hot Sauce
Jewelry: Gold or Silver, Watch, Broach or Necklace
Winter Clothing: Heated Vest
Stocking Stuffer: Chocolate Gold Coins
Christmas Treat: Cookie Tin
Digital: Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Subscription: Video Game
Gift Certificate: Inner Chi Mastery Monthly Membership
Mountain Earth
Advent Calendar: The Advent(ure) Challenge for Couples
Vintage Toy: Board Game, Hula Hoop
Gift Set: Body Scrubs & Body Butters
Jewelry: Citrine, Crystals, Diamonds, Ring or Bracelet
Winter Clothing: Hand Muffs, Gloves, Knitted Wrist Warmers or Arm Sleeves
Stocking Stuffer: Hand Cream
Christmas Treat: Flavored Popcorn
Digital: Rechargeable Hand Warmer
Subscription: Cleaning Service
Gift Certificate: AstroMap
Fire
Advent Calendar: Mini Candles or Perfumes
Vintage Toy: Kaleidoscope, View Master, Camera
Gift Basket: Coffee or Cocktail Mixers & Bitters
Jewelry: Red Gemstone, Feathers & Bone, Ocular Amulet, Heart and Wings
Winter Clothing: Cashmere Sweater, Leather Jacket
Stocking Stuffer: Electric Lighter
Christmas Treat: Panettone or Stollen
Digital: Photo Frame
Subscription: Streaming Service
Gift Certificate: SoulStory Session
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For personal energy or relationship dynamics coaching, contact me! Or, read about my coaching packages.If you’re ready to get professionally feng shui’d, read about Virtual Feng Shui Consultations.To read more about The 8 Elements, subscribe to the Feng Shui Yourself blog. Learn about my other Inner Chi Mastery offerings. Subscribe to Feng Shui Yourself on Substack.