The Ayurvedic Gift Guide: According To 'The Holiday'
Is there a better way to gift than by personal energy? The doshas simplify gift lists by focusing on leading energy constitutions. Are you a controlling Amanda, weeping Iris or trembling Jack? The Holiday 2006, one of the most popular holiday movies, stars archetypal dosha characters.
From silky skin saviors to soothing mood relievers and confidence boosters, situate Pitta, Kapha and Vata for a new season. These dosha-specific gifts paired with The Holiday are tailored for long wintery evenings.
Everyone on your list will be grateful for your thoughtfulness.
Amanda, Iris and Jack manifest their emotional states through lost love. Anger, grief and fear replace feelings of affection.
Amanda’s (Cameron Diaz) failed effort to cry is rooted in her parents’ disbandment of the “three musketeers”. Her anger is controlled like micromanagement of every aspect of her career and life. She paints a life of "happy red not a Scorsese red.” Typical Pitta.
Iris (Kate Winslet) shaped herself into the best friend instead of the leading lady by remaining in a “square peg-round hole” situation. Rumor around the office has it that she did the man’s laundry after he cheated. After working through the office Christmas party and witnessing his engagement, she goes home to unabashedly bawl her eyes out. Quintessential Kapha.
Miles’ (Jack Black) fear that ‘his Maggie’ will leave, leads him to ignore her overt noncommittal sentiment. Though his musical creativity helps Miles build a friendship with Iris, it does not prevent him from answering Maggie’s desperate call. The anxiety of letting it ring overrides a delightful sushi date. Classic Vata.
In the end, they find tears, gumption and courage. These Ayurvedic tidbits will transform movie magic into gifting reality.
Pitta
Relieve Pitta’s rigidity with the gift of cashmere and a week away. Workaholic Amanda cannot relax despite an idyllic country retreat because geography does not recompense emotional escape. Swaddle your favorite Pitta in cashmere and send them to Langham’s Chuan Spa in Pasadena for TCM spa treatments. Stuff their stocking with Umm’s Diya for a Pitta-soothing jasmine and neroli scent. The nourishment of their nature elements and time to reflect will help ease those heart palpitations.
Ralph Lauren Cashmere Throw $595
Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Socks $229
“TCM shares a degree of parallel with Ayurveda in determining and using personal energy to achieve a balanced body-mind. The close localization of particular acupuncture and marma points allow for individualized therapeutic options.”
Umm Diya $19
Kapha
Kapha’s feel frequently and deeply. Gift them the comfort of Umm’s Body Elixir. Gold and saffron luxuriously nourish dermal layers and senses during isolating winters. Iris personifies the emptiness of Kapha after giving more than she takes. This body oil allows guilt free overindulgence in lieu of a box of holiday chocolates. A touch of red with a small format red silk scarf emboldens these softies. Invite them to a warm location for a swim session to remedy their need for misplaced companionship.
Umm Body Elixir $125
Hermès Jungle Love Stamped Scarf 70 $375
“Saffron applied topically, taken orally or through aromatherapy can lower symptoms of depression.”
Vata
Vata gets colder than outdoor temperatures, jumpier than the guilty, and drier than Joshua Tree. Sanguine musical compositions cannot conceal Miles’ trepidation. Gifts of luxurious washable silk sleepwear reduce dry cleaning anxiety and promote restful sleep for this night-owl. Bestow the gift of beautiful skin with Umm’s Radiance Mask that hydrates and exfoliates with rose, gold, saffron and manjistha- all needed for the treatment of Vata-prone discoloration. Ranavat's jasmine-focused hair oil and mist in their stockings for cranial and sensory nourishment. Paired with taking new adventures, Vata doshas alleviate their deep fear of everything.
The Sleep Code Washable Silk Long PJ Set $298
Ranavat Jasmine Mist $45 - Fortifying Hair Serum $70
“The pure aroma of jasmine provides restful sleep to anxiety-prone minds. Tranquil nights allow the nervous system and dermal layers to regenerate.”
Umm Exfoliating Radiance Mask $90
Tri-Doshic Gifting
Finally every dosha needs to process, reflect and let go. Our EIC has been using Le Labo’s Santal 26 journals for over a decade. It retains the scent of tridoshic-friendly sandalwood and is the perfect tool for personal or gratitude journaling.
Le Labo Scented Journal Santal 26 $55
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE BKDWN MAGAZINE
