Victoria Sardain | Wellness Consulting

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Christmas Gift Guide for the Conscious Consumer

Whether you’re looking for the perfect gift or looking for the perfect way to slip your wish list to someone - this is the place. Below I’ve listed my personal all-time favourite goodies from my all time favourite brands. Many of these are small, local brands, therefore on top of finding the perfect present, you’re also also making a local business owner smile as your order comes through. This Gifting Guide is separated into areas of shipping: Berlin, Switzerland, EU-wide & worldwide. Many of the brands listed below have been generous enough to give you all a discount code which you will be able to use for the month of December. Happy gifting!


SWITZERLAND

1. For the healthy snacker.

We all have that healthy foodie in our lives that’s always got a snack at close reach. Maybe that’s a friend or a colleague, maybe it’s you…regardless SIRADIS has 4 Christmas Baskets to fit all tastes and preferences. My personal choice would be the Vegan Snack Lover Gift Box which includes many of my favourites like the Eric’s Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups, the Rythme 108 Sweet’n’Salt Almond Bar and the Deliciously Ella Apple Nut Butter Balls. Use the code VICTORIAXMAS to get 15% off your purchase for December only!

2. For the PYT in your life.

For those of us that can never have too many cute accessories. Swiss Made With Love scrunchies, headbands and more, are all handmade by the lovely Manon in Switzerland. With different colours, textures and prints, you’re guaranteed to find a set which suits that special person you’re shopping for. To order, send a DM to Manon through @swiss_made_with_love and let her know you’d like to use Victoria’s Xmas Special offer to get 4 scrunchies for the price of 3 for December only!

3. For the extra geeky health freak.

So we all know that health freak who loves sneaking veggies into everything (guilty!), but what if taking care of our health were to extend beyond that? Check Your Health offers at-home health tests so that you can take a preventative approach to your health, and understand what’s really going on inside. Tests such as Food Sensitivity or Female Hormone Health are really popular options. After following the at-home testing process you get a full panel of results sent to your email. Use VICTORIA15 at check-out for 15% off all tests (December only) or email hello@checkyourhealth.ch if you’d like to offer a test as a gift. As an extra geeky health-freak myself I can tell you that I bought myself a test as a Christmas present last year and it was one of my favourite things under the tree.

4. For the home body

We all know that person who was thriving during lockdown. It’s the person who loves their home, taking care of it, making it beautiful and is always on the hunt for new ways to make it cuter and cozier. If you’re gift hunting for someone who matches that description, you’ll find your treasure at Soleo; bringing handcrafted Spanish ceramics to Switzerland. Each item is unique and “brings the Spanish sunshine to Switzerland”. And let’s be honest, we’re really in need of some of that Spanish sun… Use VICTORIA20 for 20% off.

5. For the coffee lover

For that person who won’t utter anything but a grunt until they’ve had their morning coffee. Do them (and yourself) a favour and gift them a coffee set that will set their senses alight. We all know that there’s coffee…and then there’s good coffee and they are worlds apart. Utopia Coffee is a local Swiss roaster which offers organic and ethically sources Specialty Coffee. Use VICTORIA10 to get 10% off their coffee bags on their e-shop during December.

6. For the conscious foodie

If it’s healthy, high quality, ethically sourced and waste-free; it’s the perfect gift for that conscious foodie. Amfora ticks all the boxes with their farmer-friendly products bringing the farm to your kitchen. Their Extra Virgin Olive Oils are second to none and their philosophy around revitalising small Mediterranean communities is based around making beautiful artisanal food profitable. Support the movement and gift one of their beautiful baskets full of Amfora goodies. Use VICTORIA10 at check-out to get 10% off their meal kits and e-shop until the 23rd of December.


Berlin

1. For the peanut to your butter.

You know what they say…if you’re gifting them peanut butter, it’s getting serious. Joking aside, I take my peanut butter very seriously and nothing says “I love you” quite like a 1kg tub of Twisted Nut peanut butter. If you live in Berlin and haven’t tried Twisted Nut yet, then you’re nuts and need to get on it immediately. If you want to go above and beyond, you can even get your loves one a peanut butter tub subscription. Use VICTORIA'S XMAS at checkout to get 10% off your order for December only!

2. For the gut-health nutter.

From nut health to gut health, this one is for those who know that a SCOBY isn’t a cartoon dog. With the holidays in full swing sometimes you just need a little bubbly to celebrate. But that gut-health nutter in your life knows full well that alcohol encourages the growth of bacteria (and not the good kind) so ‘booch bubbles is what they’re after, and ROY Kombucha makes the best ones in Berlin. Play it safe with a taster pack or pick a flavour for a 6 or 12-pack. My personal favourite is their Limited Edition Christmas flavour or raspberry. Use VICTORIAXMAS at check-out to get 10% off your order during December!

3. For the lover of low-maintenance

For those of us who absolutely love flowers but are also extremely talented at making them wilt in only a few hours... If you’re in Berlin you can order your beautiful dried flower creations to your house or straight to that special someone through Madame Fleurs. This young Berlin start-up ensures that everything from sourcing to assemblage (by hand) to delivery, is as sustainable as possible. Use VICTORIA15 to get 15% off your order in December!


Europe-wide

1. For the cooking queen/king.

The ultimate right hand to any cook in the kitchen; a good blender. Not just one that lets out a sad “wizzzz” and you end up having to mash the rest of your hummus with the back-end of a fork. I’m talking a real, good blender. My NOVIS ProBlender has completely transformed my cooking experience. It keeps icy smoothies cold and warms up veggie soup. It turns hazelnuts into butter and basil into pesto. It’s an investment, but if you’re in it for the long haul, it’ll be one of the best investments you’ll make for yourself or the most incredible gift you can give. Use VICTORIA2020 at check-out to get an extra free gift worth 99.-!

2. For the “new year, new me”

Who’s ready for some health-transformation New Year Resolutions? Although we can commit to change at any time of year, the significance of January 1st often gives extra meaning to goal setting. If you’re looking to support someone who wants to make real lifestyle changes in 2021, there’s no gift better than the 4-in-1 NOVIS VitaJuicer. The quality of juicer is incomparable to any of its kind making it smooth, easy and effortless to juice anything and it can be cleaned in minutes by hand or thrown in the dishwasher. Use VICTORIA2020 at check-out to get an extra free gift worth 99.-!

3. The sustainability geek

“No plastic bag, I have a bag thanks” , “No lid on my coffee to-go please” , “I’ll have a juice for-here, but no straw please”. We all have that person in our life. For that sustainability geek of yours, this is the present that says 1000 words. QWSTION in a Zurich-born brand which has devoted itself to answering one of the trickiest questions companies today are facing; how can we combine function and sustainability to develop the most aesthetics products possible with the lowest carbon footprint possible? Their backpacks say “trendy & sustainable” made of organic cotton or their signature BananaTex fabric (made of banana leaves). I personally have the DEAD Bag in Jet Black and my boyfriend has the BananaTex Rollback in Navy.

4. For the one who needs to a chill pill.

Okay maybe not an actual pill, but studies have shown that certain plants (known as adaptogens) actually support the body to be more relisant to stress. These herbal supplements find their roots in Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Similarly to how strength training makes your muscles stronger, adaptogens are said to “train your body” to handle stress better. You can find adaptogens as single ingredients or buy adaptogen blends which you can easily add into smoothies, porridge or turn into warming lattes. I personally use the blends from Nu Glow, a Berlin-based adaptogen superfood brand. Choose from their Beauty, Energy or Calming blends each their unique taste, composition and function.


Worldwide

1. For the messy one.

For that person who has “get more organized” on their resolutions list every year. Getting Things Done by David Allen has completely changed the way I view organisation, productivity and most importantly; stress. The principles in this book are ones I now live by and suggest to every single one of my clients. Order it online here.

2. For the one who needs a little nudge.

This book includes inspiring stories, with specific actionable steps, and follow-along exercises to really make you realise that you can overcome anything. If you know someone who’s been wanting to do something, build something, launch something or throw themselves into the unknown of any kind; this is the book for them. Getting them this book is more than a ribbon under the tree, this might be the exact push they need to finally take the leap. Order it online here.

3. For the sceptic.

For that person you know who always has some doomsday theory of the world coming to an end, complains of the mischievous younger generation or how it was so much better in the “good old days”. This book will put those “good old days” back in their place and fact-check all the rest with trustworthy stats and graphs. This book has been one of my favourite reads this year and I feel like I will be recommending it to everyone I know for the next little while… Order it online here.

4. For the minimalist.

What the hell do you get for the person who loves a minimalist, clutter-less space? The beautiful Scandi mindful stationary brand The Brown Paper Movement has beautiful minimalist-style yearly calendars made of recycled fibres from post-consumer waste. They’re the perfect addition to any minimalist home.

5. For the nutrition junkie.

This supplement pack will make any nutrition junkie squeal. Each having its own purpose; A for Antiox which will support cell protection, B for Balancing which brings the body back to alkalinity and C for Cleansing which is jam-packed with fibre for healthy digestion. This supplement set is no joke, combined these supplements can have a really significant effect on the body, on one’s health and energy levels. Order it only here.

6. For the holistic health fanatic.

One of the holistic health practices that has been getting a lot of traction lately is oil pulling. This Ayurvedic technique involves swishing oil around your mouth for anywhere from 5-15 minutes to draw out toxins in your mouth. Sounds great in practice, but from my experience, even with coconut oil it’s quite disgusting. Finding this minty tooth oil has turned oil pulling from a chore I more than often skip, to being something I actually look forward to. If you’re new to the concept, don’t worry; the holistic health fanatic in your life will know what it’s all about and will love you for this. Order it only here.

7. For the documentary dork.

I sympathise with the person who can’t tell you what the hell The Crown is about but is happy to discuss the newest sustainability documentary. Whether this is you or a friend of yours, the ultimate “experience” gift of the season is a membership for Gaia; the Netflix of Health & Wellness. It goes beyond just documentaries as well. This platform includes guided yoga classes, meditations and more. Click here to gift a subscription.

8. For the one who needs extra love.

2020 has been tough for all of us, but maybe you know someone who struggled even more so this year. For that person, the ultimate gift is a ticket to my 2021 Pave Your Path Program. This 4-week Group Coaching Program will support all participants to get back into the driver’s seat of their lives and give them the tools to decide how they want their year to look. Send me an email if you’d like to book a spot for a friend, or join yourself here.