| Get Ready for Yule! Day 5: Day 5: Family and Friends from Patti Wigington Even though Yule is a time to celebrate the return of the sun, for many Pagan and Wiccan families, it's also a time of gift-giving. Let's look at some ideas for sharing the season with family and friends -- we'll talk about ten great gifts you can give your Pagan and Wiccan friends, ways to celebrate Yule with children, and books that any Pagan family will want to have on hand at the winter solstice. Ten Great Gifts for Pagans and Wiccans Got another Pagan or Wiccan on your shopping list, but not sure what to give them? Don't worry -- this list will help you get some ideas, and who knows... you might see something you want for yourself! Okay, so you have a friend or family member who is Pagan or Wiccan. You want to get them a special gift related to their spiritual path, but let's face it, sometimes it's hard to come up with something. Here's a list of gift ideas nearly any Pagan or Wiccan will appreciate: 1 Candles Wiccans love candles. Colored ones are best, because they can be used in spell work. Plain white ones are nice, too, because a white candle can be substituted for any other color in magical workings. Taper-style or votive candles are the most practical -- save the giant twelve-pound three-wick for another time. Be sure to select unscented candles, so your friend can anoint them with magical oils if needed.
2 Books You can never read too much. Books are always a great gift, and there are a few that are always timeless. Check for the newest releases about Wicca and Paganism, and these might be a good bet. Classics such as Drawing Down the Moon and The Spiral Dance are popular choices as well. If your friend is just beginning to study Wicca and Paganism, you can't go wrong with a title from the Beginner's Reading List.
3 Decorative Boxes Wiccans love pretty boxes. We use them to put our Tarot cards in, our herbs, gemstones, and other little trinkets. Chances are if you find one that's decorated, we'll appreciate it. Some are available with specifically Pagan designs, such as a pentacle, a goddess symbol, or Celtic knot work. An even better idea is to find a plain box, and decorate it yourself with beads, fabric, or other goodies.
4. Annual Almanacs 5. A Blank Journal Wiccans and Pagans write lots of things down, and it's not uncommon to see us scribbling away when something strikes our fancy. Many practicing Wiccans and Pagans keep a Book of Shadows, which is where we keep information on spellwork, rituals, our gods, and other important topics. Pick up a nice, blank journal. If your friend has a particular interest, try to find a related journal, whether it's Harry Potter or Hello Kitty.
6. Music Because a lot of Wiccans and Pagans practice meditation, it's great to have music to meditate by. There is an endless list of music available on CD for meditation, and a huge selection to choose from.
7 Stones and Crystals Many Pagans and Wiccans work with stones and crystals. A pretty chunk of quartz, a selection of gemstones, or even a rock tumbler make a great gift. Different stones have different associations, too -- someone who needs love in their life might benefit from a rose quartz, while a person that's been feeling down could use the pick-me-up found in amber. 8 Tarot Cards There are Tarot cards out there for just about every interest, and if you know your gift recipient has a certain hobby or passion, why not get them cards to symbolize that? Whether they're a fan of Tolkien's novels or Celtic artwork, there's a Tarot deck out there for everyone.
9 Fresh Herbs A lot of Wiccan and Pagan people are into herbs, and we like them even better when they're fresh. If you've got a garden, bring us a clipping of some of your most aromatic goodies -- in fact, if you've got too many of something, we'd be happy to take some seedlings off your hands to plant in our own yards! Many magical herbs are also culinary -- rosemary is a wonderful seasoning for food, and it's also known as an herb of protection.
10 Statuary Many Wiccans and Pagans keep statuary on their altar or in places of honor in their homes. If you know which pantheon they follow that makes it all the more easy -- someone who follows an Egyptian path might appreciate a statue of Isis while someone who practices a more eclectic tradition might like a figure of a lunar goddess. Celebrating Yule with Children What does the winter solstice season mean to you and your family? Are you trying to avoid the commercialism of the holidays and just focus on your family instead? Today we're going to look at some great ways you can keep the spirit of Yule alive with your kids, and help them learn your Pagan values while still having a fun holiday. Great Books to Read at Yule Looking for some reading material for those cold winter nights? Curl up in front of the fire with your family and one of these Yule-themed books. If you're looking for a list of books to give as gifts to the Pagan children in your life, check out the Pagan Kids Book List. Make Your Own Yule Greeting Cards It's hard to find Yule greeting cards commercially, and often when you do locate one you like, they can be expensive. Because there's not a huge market for Pagan or Wiccan greeting cards, sometimes it's just easier to make your own. With a little imagination -- and a couple of kids to help out if possible -- it's really easy to make stylish Yule cards that your friends will love. Get a jump on the holidays, and start working on your cards now!
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