This week’s episode is called Give Love This Year, gratitude and gifting, and I'm sending it out to you from my kitchen table, which is currently covered in wrapping paper, ribbon, my fabric stash, the good scissors, the silver pens, stickers, tape, stamps and ink. Let me get you a cuppa. We're going to be here for a while.

This episode is full of probing questions that will help you come up with unusual, thoughtful gifts for your loved ones, as well as ideas for wrapping mindfully.

It also includes:

- Some fascinating facts about the history of gift giving, including a brilliant idea for topsy turvy gift giving from Roman times

- An invitation to seek out winter sunshine and other gifts from nature

- Gorgeous recipes for Rachel de Thample’s Rise & Shine Tisane and Gemma Ogston’s immunity protection dressing

- A lovely craft project which can also help us deal with overwhelm

- Thoughts on dealing with loneliness

- Help with coming up with inspired gift ideas for your loved ones including some beautiful gifting ideas from listeners around the world (You can find my FREE Ultimate Gift Guide for Writers here and download my free printable planner to keep track of your gift lists here)

- Our usual get ahead dates and key dates for the week ahead

Tell me: What is the one thing you most want to experience for yourself this winter? What will you gift yourself this year?

Beth Xx

PS If you enjoyed this episode, please do tell your friends about it!

Lovely things for you

* Head to @bethkempton on Instagram for the chance to win The Soul of Gift Wrapping by Megumi Lorna Inouye and a personalised, signed copy of my book Calm Christmas along with a complementary place on my flagship course Do What You Love.

* Join the Winter Writing Sanctuary for free HERE. https://dowhatyouloveforlife.com/product/winter-writing-sanctuary-live-oct2026/

* Get my brand new Ultimate Gift Guide for Writers here (it’s free)

* Download a printable Calm Christmas Planner here (also free).

* Give someone (or yourself) the life-changing gift of a trajectory-shifting online course with up to 50% off all my courses (which can be given as gift vouchers!) at dowhatyouloveforlife.com

Ingredients for Rachel de Thample’s Rise & Shine Tisane

* Half a lemon

* Half a teaspoon of fennel seeds

* One or two bay leaves, fresh or dried

* 250 ml of freshly boiled water

Ingredients for Gemma Ogston‘s immunity-protection dressing

* 180 ml olive oil

* 120 ml apple cider vinegar

* 60 ml of water

* Three tablespoons of runny honey

* Three garlic cloves chopped

* 5cm fresh ginger, peeled and chopped

* Quarter of a teaspoon of ground turmeric

For the Snow Globe

* A clean jam jar

* Waterproof glue, like the glue in a hot glue gun

* Eco glitter

* A small figure

* Glycerine

* Some water

References + recommendations

* Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year by Beth Kempton

* The Soul of Gift Wrapping by Megumi Lorna Inouye

* Winter Wellness by Rachel de Thample

* The Yogic Kitchen by Jody Vassallo

* Japan The Vegetarian Cookbook by Nancy Singleton Hachisu

* The Healing Cookbook by Gemma Ogston

* Deliciously Ella Quick & Easy by Ella Mills

* Everyday Super Food by Jamie Oliver

* The Self-Care Year by Alison Davies (Quadrille)

Charities that can support you if you are feeling lonely

* Mind

* The Silver Line

* Samaritans

* Shout

Previous Calm Christmas episodes on gifting for even more ideas

* Season 1 Episode 6 Mindful Gifting

* Season 2 Episode 4 Love

* Season 3 Episode 3 We Three Kings

Other links:

* Give Love This Year by Fitz and the Tantrums

* Why do we give gifts at Christmas? Andrew Hann, English Heritage

* Mixbook (for printing photo books)

Photos: Holly Bobbins

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit calmchristmas.substack.com