Christmas is about a week away, and we’re busy doing “all the things” to get our house in order. And, of course, I’m still trying to figure out the perfect present for, well, let’s be honest, everyone. You’d think I’d be more on it by this point in my life, but no.
Try as I might, inspiration always seems to strike last minute.
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This year, we bought my daughter a herbal tea advent calendar on a whim and she LOVES it. She cannot wait to open each day, and since it came with two tea bags each day, her brother is even getting in on the action. They’re both literally bouncing with excitement in the kitchen each day as we open the little box and brew new teas.
We drink tea, of course, and harvest plenty from the garden and woods all year round, but there’s something about a special little box just for you that really builds enthusiasm.
Seeing her excitement, I started looking for other “special little boxes” to make the things we do (or hope to do) more exciting. Sometimes, gifting is all about taking something and packaging it in a special way to lift the spirit and turn an everyday ritual into something treasured.
A cookie becomes something special when packed in a pretty tin with a bow, or a simple jar of jam becomes a treasure with a piece of fabric cut to fit over the lid and tie with a ribbon. And, of course, handmade helps too, obviously.
With my little ones, anything that’s hands on, or kits that get them moving, doing and learning are a bonus too.
I talked a while back about how I see my job as a parent these days as “catching the spark” of excitement when I see something that excites my little one’s creative interests, and tending that spark is one of my biggest joys.
My little ones love crafts, and sometimes they just need an enabler (me, of course) to help that spark take light.
So, when I saw that the Herbal Academy brought back their ever popular Herbal Starter Kit, I knew it’d be perfect for catching that spark with my little ones.
Their kits are really great, lovely packaging and everything just right to make what could be random ziplock bags of herbs and supplies something truly special. Sometimes it is all in the presentation, and this one is presented beautifully.
It comes with a cardstock recipe card for each and every project one of the 24 different projects outlined in the kit, from salves to tinctures, teas and oxymels. It even has instructions for making Honey Electuaries, which is one of the few herbal preparations even I haven’t tried yet!
To the littles it’s a box of beautifully packaged fun, but for me, it’s easily 24 hours worth of quality time, connection and hands on time making and doing with my babies.
Even thinking about getting this for my little ones has given me a spark of excitement for my own herbal career. At this point, I’ve been studying herbal medicine for nearly 25 years, and I’ve taken just about every course that the herbal academy offers. All, but one.
The Advanced Herbalism Course that’s the capstone of all their other courses. I think I’m finally going to take the plunge and get my Advanced Herbalism Certificate this winter.
I absolutely love their courses, and honestly, I was holding off on this one simply so I’d have something to look forward to. But I think this year is the year…because who am I kidding, they’re always coming out with all manner of new mini courses, and there will always be herbal fun to look forward to!
So I know, I’m not new to herbalism, and honestly, neither are my little ones, but this herbal starter kit is still going to light a spark in all of us. Sometimes you need a little catalyst to get you going down the path you’ve wanted to walk all along, and having something at hand that reduces the friction of finding the right project or recipe can be just the thing.
I’m honestly hoping that some of you, my dear readers, will catch the spark as well and join us! They still have herbal starter kits available for purchase for another few days, and honestly, given the price of herbs these days, it’s kind of a steal.
Buying 24 different herbal remedies is expensive, and buying the herbs to make them is only a bit less. Not to mention having all the recipes and tools you need in the box too.
If you have been thinking about taking a Herbal Academy Course, they’re running a substantial sale right now on all courses with a bunch of free goodies thrown in. Or, if you simply want to follow along and craft from your herbal starter kits alongside my family this winter, I’d welcome the company.
Let me know if you’ll be joining me!
Until Next Time,
Ashley at Practical Self Reliance
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