During the holiday season, we reflect on blessings, faith, family, and the future.

The holidays are hectic, let alone what we have gone through in 2024. Presents, cards, decorating, cooking, cleaning, cookies, candy, just the list alone creates stress!

Feng Shui can be used to mitigate this stress. Feng Shui is meant to bring balance and harmony into your home and life.

Feng Shui is about utilizing the natural healing energy from the earth in your home.

How you manage your space has a major impact on your moods and relationships with others around you.

Here are a few tips to keep your home peaceful this holiday:

• Straighten up and clean your home before bringing out decorations and putting up a tree.
• Clean areas that guests will be in during get-togethers and parties.
• Set a welcoming tone at the front door! Sometimes called “the mouth of chi (energy) into your home”, it’s a great place to have a fresh wreath. If not fresh, make sure it is fluffed and inviting. If using bows from previous years, primp them so they look fresh and new. Make sure any lights are working and inviting.
• Have the entrance into your home clean and clutter-free.
• Use blue’s and whites or silver and gold to bring in calming energy.
• If you want to encourage connection and warmth, light a fire and/or use candles to bring in the fire element.
• Scatter a few fresh poinsettias around your home. If you have pets, keep in mind these are toxic for them. The same is true of any plant … are they pet friendly? Here’s a link showing pet-friendly choices.

The earth isn’t renewable, and future generations depend on us to take appropriate actions today.

Here are a few tips on how to be creative as well as earth-friendly:

• Instead of using wrapping paper for gifts, use reusable fabric bags.
• If you do use wrapping paper — save large, used pieces for another gift.
• Most of us save gift bags from gifts we’ve received. Repurpose them.
• For large gifts, use a tablecloth that will continue to function.
• Use the sports page of a newspaper for athletically-inclined gifts.
• Use newspaper comic sections for fun-loving people and children!
• Here are other ideas on eco-friendly and zero-waste wrapping options.
• I save holidays cards that we’ve received and cut or shape them for future gift tags.
• Give gifts that can save a life (emergency car kits, solar flashlights, solar chargers, salt blocks for animals).
• Check with your post office for letters to Santa…and help a family in need.
• A fantastic gift that keeps on giving is my personal strategy sessions. People find them insightful, helpful, and amazing.

Check out this article for more ideas on how to be earth-friendly during the holiday season.

I’ve started a Facebook group “The Time for Women is Now” and invite you to participate for free. This is an educational and discussion forum and each month we’ll feature a new topic. If you have a topic you’d like to suggest, please post to the group or email me at fengshui@intuitiveconcepts.com. Include in the subject line The Time for Women is Now. Look forward to exchanging thoughts with you!