Fortunately, there is an equally helpful fictitious sage known as the Holiday Gift Guru to help us rediscover the joy of giving using some traditional common sense. According to Dr. Gail Saltz, professor of psychiatry, the first thing you should do is lower your expectations to what’s reasonable. “Try to stop over-scheduling, overeating, overspending, and generally over doing it. You’ll end up enjoying the season more and complaining less,” she says.

Put on some classic Christmas songs and light up your favorite holiday scented candles to create a warm, inviting atmosphere at home.

Put on some classic Christmas songs and light up your favorite holiday scented candles to create a warm, inviting atmosphere at home. It’s a great way to enhance your mood while decorating, addressing Christmas cards, wrapping presents, baking cookies, and sitting around the fire. Research has shown that smells have a direct impact on our emotions. According to Terry Molnar, executive director of the Sense of Smell Institute, “For many people, having the right scent completes their picture of the perfect Christmas.”

Favorites include classic Holiday scents from Yankee Candle including Christmas Cookie, Mistletoe, Home for the Holidays, and Balsam & Cedar. Also enjoyable are the aptly named Most Wonderful Cinnamon, Pine, and Cookie candle scents from www.illuminations.com.

So, what about gifts? Well, like Toucan Sam from the old Fruit Loops commercials, the Holiday Gift Guru suggests that you “follow your nose…it always knows.” That’s right, the perfect gift idea is right under your nose, literally. That wonderful holiday candle you’re enjoying? Pick up a few more while you’re shopping as luxuriously scented candles are one of the most appropriate gift ideas.

If you like candles think how many people just like you would enjoy them, as well. Bob Nelson, president of the National Candle Association, says “Scented candles always are highly appreciated gifts for a wide variety of occasions, especially the holidays. Relative to flowers, chocolates, and candy, candles offer such great value since they last for a long time…and almost everyone will enjoy them.”

“There’s a strong link between fragrance and memory,” explains Rick Ruffolo, senior vice president of brand, marketing and innovation at Yankee Candle. “Many of us have fond childhood Christmas memories tied to scents like fresh pine, baking cookies, and warm cinnamon. That’s why it’s easy to share the festive Christmas spirit of those memories by giving a scented candle.”

Finally, one last bit of scents-ible shopping advice from the Holiday Gift Guru. Grab some hot cocoa, your favorite fuzzy slippers, and head for your computer. Online shopping is easy, and it saves gas (not to mention wear and tear on your nerves). Browse, shop and even ship right to the recipient at www.yankeecandle.com and www.illuminations.com.

So there you have it … simply scent-sational ideas from the Holiday Gift Guru to help you re-discover the joy of giving this holiday season!!

Courtesy of ARAcontent