A Pagan Guide to Yule Gift-Giving: Thoughtful, Nature-Based Presents

At the Ravenwood, we're all about loving the planet and trying our best to remain sustainable. As important as the tradition of gift giving is at this time of year, it's an unavoidable fact that overconsumption is spiralling out of control, so, how do we give gifts, celebrate abundance, but not add to the mountains of landfill piling up on our beloved planet ? 

Here's some ideas from us that your friends and family will love, and our earth will too :) 

1 - Handmade Herbal Teas

Herbs have always been associated with healing and magic, making herbal teas a perfect sustainable Yule gift. You can create custom blends yourself using herbs like chamomile (for relaxation) or peppermint ( for clarity) or cinnamon ( for warmth and protection) Package them in eco friendly reusable mason jars or pouches with a handwritten note explaining the blend's properties. 

2 - Soy Wax Candles 

Soy wax candles, (like the ones found here) are the most eco - friendly candles for several reasons. 

1 - Soy wax is renewable, it is made from soybean which is a renewable agricultural resource. Soybeans are widely grown and their production can be sustained indefinitely, unlike paraffin wax which is derived from non - renewable petroleum or palm oils which contribute to deforestation and child labour exploitation. 

2 - It's biodegradable and non - toxic. It's much safer for humans to burn and kinder to the environment. 

3 - Longer burn time - the longer burn time on soy wax candles means that they need replacing less often which reduces the packaging and transport costs for new candles. This also means that you end up saving a lot of money! 

 

3 - Plantable Seed Paper 

Yule marks the return of light and the promise of new growth, making seeds or seedlings a meaningful gift. Plantable seed paper can be used for notes, or reminders, then planted once used and no longer needed. There's plenty of choices available for which plants you'd like to gift - but indoor herbs or early spring wildflowers would work best for a yule gift ! 

 

4 - Nature Based Ornaments 

Yule is celebrated with a decorated tree and a decorated altar - handmade ornaments from natural materials make lovely gifts. You can create ornaments using pinecones, dried citrus slices, cinnamon sticks, or even small wooden shapes. These ornaments can be enhanced with symbols of yule, such as suns, stars or runes to add a touch of seasonal magic :) 

 

5 - Yule Inspired Poetry or Story 

When you're giving a gift, it doesn't always have to be something physical (or it can be too, if you'd like to write it down!) but this is the sort of gift that will be remembered and cherished for many yules to come! Creating a piece of poetry or a story by yourself or with loved ones is a really beautiful gift that will be remembered. 

 

We hope these give you some great ideas for lovely gifts for your loved ones in the festive season ! 

Love, from The Ravenwood x