JEWELLERY for SELF CONFIDENCE, belief and self-esteem

Confident lady with jewellery for self-confidence

Can wearing jewellery boost self-esteem and relieve anxiety, worry and stress?

Many people think so, yes, and in our SHOP you can find examples of Confidence Jewellery like Confidence Necklaces and Confidence Bracelets:

Confidence jewellery detail
Confidence jewellery gift card

How wearing jewellery can boost your confidence

Many items of jewellery are said to help reduce stress – think of worry beads as just one example; or the simple Rosary: Whether Catholic, Islamic, Buddhist, or Hindu, most are based on faith.

And this is the principal behind Confidence Jewellery . . imparting a belief that, with a little bit of faith, one’s wishes can come true – giving strength of purpose to everyday actions to achieve a goal.

Help someone combat adversity, hardship, misfortune and ill-health

The emphasis of our Jewellery for Confidence is to encourage positivity, optimism, achievement and success – but it can also be ideal to send as a gift to help friends and loved-ones combat any adversity, hardship, misfortune or ill-health in their lives.

Jewellery to give me confidence

The point about Confidence Jewellery is that its sole purpose it to boost self-esteem and give more confidence to the person wearing it . . a Confidence Bracelet for example, Confidence Earrings or Confidence Necklaces .

Of course there is a lot of jewellery based on faith, like the Christian Cross for example, or Angel charms, the Hamsa, the Caravaca Cross, and so on, but in our SHOP you will find Confidence Jewellery – mostly based on the Shell symbol: The shell has great significance in the Christian faith: The scallop shell in particular is the badge of Baptism, the symbol of The Way of St. James – and the shell’s close association with this Camino de Santiago has propelled it to be the symbol of pilgrimage too.

Confidence jewelry bracelet with shell
Confidence jewelery bracelet with Camino scallop shell

Give yourself confidence

A shell is also said to symbolise strength, commitment and determination along the journey of life; in this sense, it has special meaning to millions of people, and is commonly-used in jewellery to help individuals feel more secure and confident about themselves.

The sea shell in particular is known for its so-called protective qualities, stemming from its ability to provide a safe haven in the dangerous environment of the seas. It is this connection that also leads it to being a symbol of a strong will . . defiant and even stubborn – unmoved by the tides, the winds, and by the adverse currents of life.

Confidence and self-esteem jewellery

It is all these associations that has led the humble shell to be linked to the feeling of self-confidence, and this can be a great asset in the world in which we live, making people feel more happy about themselves, content about their resistance to stress, and their ability to overcome their worries. All this can improve someone’s performance, allowing them to be stronger against the adversities of life. Heightened self-confidence can also make people more adventurous – more willing to try out new things.

Much of our Jewellery for Confidence features the shell symbol

Confidence bracelets, necklaces and earrings with gemstones

In addition to the Shell as a symbol of self-belief and determination, some of our Jewellery for Confidence also features a gemstone – especially Aventurine, Citrine and Sodalite.

All these gems are known for their confidence-boosting properties – indeed, some say that gemstones like these can help people change the way they feel about themselves:

Sodalite is said enhance self-esteem and to be a calming gem for patience and endurance.

Citrine is known as the “Success Stone” – and is said to heighten confidence, creativity and stamina. It believed by some that Citrine helps to manifest goals, and attract abundance and prosperity.

Aventurine gemstone is said to help people cope with life’s stresses and strains: It is so well renowned for goal achievement, it is called The Gambler’s Stone. If a dream is worth pursuing, Aventurine is the stone to help.

Something to give me confidence

An elevated sense of confidence and self-worth comes from having a belief in yourself – and this self-belief and increased self-esteem can be enhanced by wearing Confidence Jewellery, being something to believe in . . and acting as a powerful aide memoir to one’s personal goals and wishes.

SEE Confidence Bracelets, Confidence Necklaces and Confidence Jewellery in general in our SHOP online.

INDALO for PROSPERITY, wealth, success and luck

Indalo prosperity bracelets

Friends, loved-ones, relatives in debt? Short of money? Struggling financially? We have gifts that could perhaps help people cope with financial difficulties

See our Shop for Indalo Próspero jewellery online

Indalo necklace jewellery for prosperity
Jewellery for prosperity and success

It is always difficult when financial problems arise but, with one of our Indalo Próspero good luck gifts, you are able to pass on your wishes of prosperity, wealth and success in a kindly fashion to someone who is a bit short of money and/or struggling financially.

Indalo as a symbol of financial prosperity

For many years, people in southern Spain have worn Indalo jewellery (or attached the Indalo Man symbol to their house) to help protect them from adversity – whether it be from actual physical harm caused by an accident, earthquake, flood, etc, or through illness, injury or bad health . . but also to protect them against financial hardship and other difficulties or business woes.

How can the Indalo offer protection against financial hardship?

Around the world, the Indalo figure has existed in rudimentary form for many years although nowadays, it is more commonly associated with southern Spain (and in particular in Almería, Andalucía). Here, it is a renowned lucky charm symbol said to offer protection, good fortune . . and prosperity. In these parts, the Indalo symbol is considered very lucky and there is a belief that an Indalo charm can lead to a rise in wealth and even income for the owner.

Indalo Man as a protection talisman symbol

Everything stems from the protective nature of the Indalo – established over many years: Around 4,000 years ago, Neolithic man decorated the walls of a cave in southern Spain with drawings of goats, deer and birds, as well as basic sketches of men/women in various poses, alongside other shapes. Some of of these ‘shapes’ were in the form of the Indalo (a man with arms outstretched holding a rainbow).

Subsequently, over the years, this symbol was daubed on the walls of many properties in the Levante region as some sort of lucky symbol and indeed, as time passed, it was thought to have been instrumental in protecting the local population from various misfortunes that befell other nearby areas – such as harm from the succeeding floods and earthquakes. When the local populace looked at how they had fared against their neighbours, it appeared as if they were somehow “protected” by this symbol from the cave (‘cueva’ in Spanish).

The “Cueva de los Letreros” is now a UNESCO World Heritage site and the Indalo has become famous throughout the province of Almería (and beyond) where to this day, it is strongly believed that this “Indalo Man” can offer protection and bring good fortune wherever it is situated. Travelling around, you will see it everywhere. It is an integral part of the way of life of this region of Spain: Even today, in the small village pueblos that lie hidden behind the giant sierras that roll down to the Mediterranean Sea, the Indalo is known for its good luck properties and as a symbol of prosperity and good fortune.

Our Indalo Prospero jewellery, representing wealth, abundance and success, is a reflection of this belief and is intended to encourage people who would like to increase their good fortune.

As a gift, a piece of Indalo Próspero jewellery makes a present with real meaning to those suffering financial hardship or when times are hard. Consequently, you are able to wish someone prosperity, wealth and success by sending them a good luck gift based on the Indalo Próspero talisman.

But why not just gift someone money?

Should you give money as a gift? Should you pay off a debt of someone dear – a close friend, relative or loved-one?

If someone is going through a hard time financially, there is nothing wrong with sending them money to ease the financial burden. But, if you’ve ever wondered what gift to give someone who is struggling financially, that is NOT pecuniary, the Indalo Próspero could be ideal: Representing the promise of wealth and abundance to many people (particularly in southern Spain), it could make an ideal gift to someone who is hard up and needs a break . . someone in debt who needs money to get them out of their current financial difficulties.

Indalo Próspero wealth and abundance necklace
Indalo wealth and abundance necklace

See our shop for INDALO JEWELLERY to buy online

20 best GIFTS for WELLNESS and to say GET WELL SOON

Wellness symbols are important

Welcome to feeling great again . . with wellness symbol gifts to help people to get well soon, or just to make someone feel better and more healthy

Wellness symbol gifts are popular at the moment because of the world health or medical care crisis. But what type of present makes the best wellness gift for wellbeing to make someone like me feel better, healthier and well – or as a gift to a friend to say Get Well Soon?

Help people Get Well Soon
Help people get well soon with a gift for wellness

SEE examples of Gifts to wish Good Health and Wellness in our SHOP

Here is a list of 20 of our best gifts for Wellness to say Get Well Soon and/or Be Healthy and Well:

  • 1) Leather bracelet for Wellness: A unique piece of jewellery said to offer protection and wellbeing: Wellness symbols are common in Get Well Soon gifts and this bracelet features the Indalo symbol of wellness and protection – one of the best gifts for wellness. It could be the perfect gift to wish someone protection and good health. Encourage friends and loved ones to be lucky and healthy by sending them this meaningful present: A constant reminder to live life to the full, but conscious of healthy living and wellness.
Indalo bracelets for wellness
Indalo bracelet
  • 2) Indalo Man necklace for wellness and luck: Another Indalo-based product: The Indalo has long been a symbol of protection from all things bad – including things that affect a person’s health and prosperity. So help friends and loved-ones have good luck and wellbeing with this magical lucky charm protection necklace.
Indalo Man for wellness and luck
Another Indalo-based wellness gift

But what are health and wellness symbols?

There are a number of wellness symbols from various cultures around the world. Some are rooted in history, others relate to culture, religion and beliefs.

The Christian faith is a good example of this with faith charms like the Latin Cross being relied on many people to help protect them from adversity (and bad health):

  • 3) Circle of light cross necklace to say Take Care: A gift for protection which would be an ideal gift to say Take Care and Be Safe because it is a symbol of faith. Indeed, the Christian cross faith charm is well-known as a wellness symbol, from a faith point of view. This one is encircled in sparkling crystals and so makes a lovely gift to pass on your sentiments of concern to your friends and loved-ones – especially those about to embark on something new, challenging or risky, or those who are suffering from sickness or ill health at the moment. With the presence of the Christian cross inside the circle, and the religious faith that it might represent, this faith charm can act as a reminder to be careful and to pass on your message to Take Care. So this necklace would make an ideal gift to make someone feel better and a wonderful gift for wellness to give to a friend / colleague / loved-one – especially one with Christian beliefs who is perhaps having to go into hospital for an operation, or just feeling a bit under the weather at the moment.
Cross necklace to say Take Care

What wellness symbol is the best?

We have looked all over the world for the best wellness symbol – and few come close to that of the Indalo figure. For example:

– The Lotus flower: In reality this is a symbol of enlightenment, of Buddhism, of reincarnation and re-birth.
– The Hamsa Hand of Fatima is definitely a symbol of protection although it tends to be centred around the beliefs of Middle East cultures.
– Yin-Yang: Rooted in Chinese philosophy, this tends to reflect balance in life overall.
– The Tree of Life shows that each of us is part of something bigger, and is a symbol of unity which concerns development, growth and connection rather than wellness.

When one considers all the above, it is plain to see why the Indalo is considered one of the best symbols of Wellness:

  • 4) Indalo Man necklace for health and wellbeing – steel: This would make a unique gift to inspire good fortune and wellness. The Indalo is known for its qualities of protection from all things that affect a person’s health and prosperity. So with this necklace, you can inspire your friends and family to be healthy and well. This is especially true in these difficult times with more people than normal ending up in hospital where patients are probably feeling a bit lonely. So with this gift you can ensure they know that you are there for them: It makes an ideal present to wish protection and wellbeing.
Indalo Man for health and wellbeing
  • 5) Wellness bracelet: A gift of jewellery to wish luck and good health, helping someone feel good (or better about themselves if they are feeling ill, sick or under the weather). It features the Indalo which is considered a special good luck charm to bring prosperity and good health so perhaps you can help your friends or loved-ones feel better and well by sending them this meaningful present – a gift for wellness. Do you know someone who needs to feel a bit more healthy at the moment? Show them you care with this vibrant leather bracelet . . it makes a thoughtful gift for someone with any form of sickness or illness.
Wellness bracelet ft Indalo

Gift to help someone feel good or better

  • 6) Health-shield necklace with shell: You could gift this Health-Shield necklace to inspire your friends and loved-ones to live more healthily each day: It makes a powerful gift of faith as a wellness symbol to say Stay Healthy and so it is an ideal way to wish someone good health and perhaps help them feel better about themselves.
Health shield gift

So what is a good wellness gift?

Once again, we return to the Indalo:

  • 7) Indalo stud earrings ~ silver with zirconita for wellness: These delightful little sterling-silver-and-zirconium stud earrings make an ideal gift for wellness: They feature the Indalo symbol of protection, good fortune and wellness – enabling you to pass on the spirit of luck and good health to the person you are trying to comfort.
Indalos earrings for wellness

Gifts to make someone feel better?

Encourage your friends and loved-ones to be confident, lucky and well.

Give them something which combines features of protection and good fortune:

  • 8)) Indalo earrings ~ a jewellery gift for luck, protection + health: This would be an ideal gift for someone travelling, starting something new, or facing a challenge (even retiring), to help make them feel more positive. With the accompanying information card (optionally available with all our gifts) it is an easy way to show someone that you really care about their wellbeing.
Indalo earrings for health and protection
  • 9) Cross necklace to say Take Care: This would make a lovely gift of faith for someone with Catholic / Christian beliefs . . sent with love, offering protection and wellbeing and making sure that someone knows you are there for them in their time of need or worry. The heart and cross combination makes it a truly meaningful way to pass on your sentiments of concern to your friends and loved-ones – especially those about to embark on something new or challenging, or to those who are possibly feeling a bit unwell at the moment. The combination of the heart with the Christian cross, and the religious faith that it represents, can act as a Get Well Soon present for someone who is not feeling great at the moment, or perhaps having to go to the Doctors – or Hospital for an operation.
Take Care with this Cross necklace

And something to make ME feel better . . personally?

  • 10) Angel wings + heart necklace for protection: A Guardian Angel is said to help watch over people, and give them a feeling of protection and wellness. So this could be perfect for someone with an illness and to help make people feel better. The caring Angel Wings signify protection and safekeeping: The tiny enclosed heart is an added bonus delineating love; and so this is also a great way to pass on your feelings of concern and well-being to a friend or loved-one.
Angel wings for protection

How can I feel better personally?

  • 11 Christian cross in circle necklace for care and guidance: For Christian believers, the cross is said to pass on confidence and wellness – offering both protection and wellbeing: And this one features a tiny cut-out heart in the circle for love. The combination of a heart with the Christian cross in this necklace, and the religious faith that it represents, means that it could be a source of comfort for someone who is unwell at the moment: The heart and cross combination also makes an ideal present too – a gift of faith to pass on your sentiments of concern to your friends and loved-ones – especially those who are feeling a bit grotty or unwell. It is the ideal gift of faith . . sent with love, offering protection and wellbeing, making sure that the recipient knows you are there for them and caring about them.
Christian cross in circle necklace for care and guidance

Gift to wish someone well

  • 12) Indalo wellness bracelet, leather: This bracelet is said to offer protection, wellness and good fortune – particularly for someone who is not feeling themselves at the moment, lacking in positiveness, or unwell. Do you know someone who needs to feel a bit more positive and healthy at the moment? Show them you care with this special leather bracelet.
Leather Indalo wellness bracelet
  • 13) Shamballa bracelet of Indian agate for wellness: In these strange times when we can’t even see our sick friends and family, a gift is a special way to show them that they are in your thoughts. And this meaningful present (being a combination of protection and wellness symbols) would be an ideal gift for wellness, implying tranquility, inner strength and protection: Shamballa is said to impart peace and calm when someone is facing new challenges, and maybe shield them from stress (and the illness this can cause).
Indalo and Shamballa for wellness
  • 14) Indalo Man earrings ~ gold-filled, dancing for health: Gift the spirit of good luck and wellness with these delightful gold-filled earrings which feature the Indalo – a symbol of protection and good fortune, and an ideal Get Well Soon present. People in hospital or even unwell at home can feel pretty lonely: These earrings would make a lovely gift to show them that they are not alone and that you are thinking about them – and that you care about their wellbeing, so they can feel as comfortable as possible during their recovery.
Indalo Man earrings for health protection

A Get Well Soon gift with meaning

  • 15) Lourdes water jewellery ~ shark’s tooth necklace: This necklace would make an ideal gift for hope and faith and a great gift for wellness. The small pendant contains water from Lourdes – said to heal the body and soul and help with people’s health and wellbeing. This could be perfect for someone who is feeling sick or under the weather at the moment . . or perhaps just a bit down after bad news from the doctor. Many believe that Lourdes water imparts a feeling of wholeness and calmness – especially in bad times of illness and despair. And with this necklace, you could help share this belief with the people you are close to, wishing them to overcome their medical problems and get well soon: A great gift to wish someone well.
Lourdes water necklace
  • 16) Lucky Jade necklace for wellness: This is a wellness gift with a difference, combining the protective wellness symbol of the Indalo with the supposed energy-giving qualities of Jade to make a lovely Get Well gift. Jade is well-known in the East as the gemstone of “eternity, longevity, and energy”. Jade is said to increase body strength and was worshiped in times gone by for its life-extending powers. This would make the perfect present to encourage health and good fortune: A gift for wellness; a gift of love; and a gift to say Get Well Soon.
Indalo with Jade for Wellness
  • 17) Indalo mojo ~ silver Indalo pendant, for protection + health: When you are unwell and/or recovering at home it can be stressful. So this charming pendant for luck and protection would make a welcome present to say I’m thinking of you and Take Care . . a unique gift to make someone feel better. It is the ideal present for any special event or occasion, or to show someone you are thinking about them and their wellness.
Indalo pendant for protection and health

Gifts of caring for people who are unwell, not themselves, tired, lethargic and lacking in energy at the moment

Carnelian jewellery set
  • 19) Sodalite bracelet with gold-filled Indalo for wellness: This unique item of jewelry is said to instil feelings of calm . . and good health. Do you know someone who could do with a more calm and tranquil approach to life’s current challenges, and some better health and good fortune? Give them your support with this beautiful Sodalite and Indalo bracelet and perhaps help them feel more happy and content.
Sodalite and Indalo for wellness
  • 20) Our final recommendation is one of common observation: Symbols of protection have been used to promise wellness and good health for centuries – from those of the Native Indian tribes of North America to the Ancient Greeks; from the Middle Eastern and Egyptian priests to the revered healers of Europe: And, over the years, many of these symbols have evolved into wellness symbols which are said to have powers to help heal sick people. But one mustn’t forget the so-called Placebo Effect which has a strong influence on wellness. However, isn’t the Placebo Effect just another manifestation of the principle of faith upon which these wellness symbols rely . . whatever religion or spiritual beliefs someone may have?

SEE examples of Gifts to wish Good Health and Wellness in our SHOP

STAY WELL GIFTS – KEEP HEALTHY, SAFE and KEEP the DREAM

Stay well keep healthy and safe

With the spread of Coronavirus, some people are cancelling journeys and others are looking for ways to pass on their best wishes to friends, relatives and work colleagues to say look after yourself, stay healthy and safe, and keep the dream alive

As a good luck gift shop, we have decided to highlight some of the  gifts  that we have in our online shop to support this idea. We are aware that this could be labelled as jumping on the bandwagon, but the reality is that we already have a lot of saddened and downhearted customers – those who had planned and prepared, for example, to walk Spain’s famous Camino de Santiago, and who are now confined at home instead. A simple little gift to people like this who are suffering disappointment cannot be a bad thing – and in fact, we would encourage it as a means of offering support . . which is, after all, what the Indalo Camino Good Luck Gift shop is all about.

Stay healthy wishes

“Stay healthy and safe” seems to be the massage of the moment with Coronavirus spreading worldwide, and people are understandably concerned about the welfare of their friends and loved-ones.

However, the approach of how to deal with this virus varies around the globe. Spain, for example has adopted the “Italian” approach – lock everyone up until it has “gone away”. In the USA, there is a rapidly developing situation: At the current time, the policy seems to be one of “checks and balances”.

But in the United Kingdom, things are, at the moment, a bit different: The UK wants the population to acquire “herd immunity”. Robert Peston, working for ITV writes: Herd immunity is what happens to a group of people or animals when they develop sufficient antibodies to be resistant to a disease. The strategy of the British government is to allow the virus to pass through the entire population so that we acquire this herd immunity, but at a much delayed speed so that those who suffer the most acute symptoms are able to receive the medical support they need. In this way, the health service is not overwhelmed by the number of cases it has to treat at any one time.

This seems like sound advice (based on scientific principles). As the World Health Organisation has conceded, there is no way now of preventing the virus sweeping across the globe. Mr Peston says that the kind of coercive measures employed by China in Wuhan and Hubei have simply locked the virus behind closed doors. As soon as the constraints on freedom of movement, etc, are lifted, the virus will return again.

School closures? Take care

School closures and the banning of mass events like football matches are not particularly recommended. It is argued that children themselves are the least at risk from the virus and, by closing schools they may become a channel of infection to older carers such as Grandparents. The UK government adds that this policy would massively deplete the manpower of hospitals and care homes, because vast numbers of medical staff would be forced to stay at home to look after their children.

Although the policy of keeping schools open has been labelled as “risky” by some experts, Professor Ian Donald, University of Liverpool, says UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s plan for the outbreak is based on the idea that low-risk people are actually meant to catch the virus. When enough people have this immunity it eventually limits the spread of the virus as it has fewer places to go. The population overall is then safe because it has an inherent immunity to it. He is quoted as saying: “The UK starting assumption is that a high number of the population will inevitably get infected whatever is done – up to 80%. As you can’t stop it, it is best to manage it.” Writing in the Daily Record, Tim McNulty reports that the aim of the UK is to have as many lower risk people infected as possible. Immune people cannot infect others; the more there are, then the lower the risk of infection. That’s herd immunity.

The Italian strategy is to stop as much infection as possible – or all infection. This is appealing, but then what? The restrictions are not sustainable. So they will need to be relaxed at some time. But that will lead to re-emergence of infections and climbing rates again. This is not a sustainable model and takes much longer to achieve an immune population.

Take care of yourself

At present, National Health Service England simply advises people to stay at home for seven days if they have Coronavirus symptoms such as a high temperature and/or a new, continuous cough. They also say: Do not go to a GP (Doctors’) surgery, pharmacy or hospital. (You do not need to contact the health advice line 111 to tell them you’re staying at home). They say, testing for coronavirus is not needed if you’re staying at home.

 

The NHS also advises:
– Wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
– Always wash your hands when you get home or into work
– Use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
– Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
– Put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards
– Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell
– Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean

Wishing you well

So, if you feel inclined to send a little gift of condolences or well wishing, and to say keep safe, stay healthy – and keep the dream alive , please take a look at our  Store .

Happy wishes – keeping the dream alive

In particular, we have Christian gifts of faith – many based on the Way of St James / Camino de Santiago to help  Keep the Dream Alive .

We are shipping solely from the UK now and all Royal Mail services are functioning normally. You can see more information about our Store’s  Shipping Polices  here. Thanks for your support in these difficult times.

 

Happy NEW YEAR GIFTS to wish LUCK HEALTH and HAPPINESS

New Years eve gift

Going to a New Years Eve party? Friend making a New Year’s resolution? Someone starting a new adventure (a new business perhaps, or a New Beginning)? We have some of the best New Year gift ideas . . especially lucky charms and jewellery to wish luck and success in the coming year

See our shop for  GIFTS for LUCK in NEW YEAR, NEW JOB, NEW START  . .

New Year is a great time to give gifts of goodwill, warm wishes and well meaning to friends for the future. After the hubbub of Christmas with its family brouhaha and relationship complexities, New Years is about looking forward with hope and good intent. Some people, after 12 months of difficulties and disappointments are hoping for better fortunes in the coming year: Even for someone who has had a spectacularly good year, things can always get better! and this is the time of year to pass on your New Year wishes and help make good New Year resolutions come true, and wish them good luck for any New Beginnings.

New Beginnings or a New Start at New Year

New Year is a time for new beginnings and many people welcome the chance to start afresh and leave the past in the past: The New Start or New Beginning could be a new job, a new relationship, a new house / home or a first day in a new environment. Wishing someone luck with New Year lucky charm jewellery, for example, makes the best New Year’s gift. Youngsters or children could be going back to college or University to sit their final exams and need a little boost to their confidence.

SEE some  LUCKY JEWELLERY for a NEW JOB or NEW START  in our online shop

New Year gift ideas?!

But, as so excellently portrayed in the DailyMeal website, New Year is not only a time for new beginnings, but also a time for old traditions to encourage good fortune in the year to come: For example, at New Year in Estonia, some people leave part of their meal unfinished for the spirits of their ancestors who are said to visit the house on New Years Eve.

New year celebrations 2020
Happy New Year!

On New Year’s Eve in Brazil, many people dress in white (said to keep away evil spirits) and jump over seven waves on the Copacabana beach, offering flowers and a wish to the goddess Lemanja while making seven wishes for the coming year. In the Netherlands, eating doughnut-like pastries that are filled with apples and currants is said to be lucky on New Years Day. In Sweden they serve rice pudding with an almond hidden inside and whoever finds the almond is said to receive good fortune throughout the coming year . . a bit like the Mexican “Rosca de Reyes” which is baked with a coin or charm inside (often depicting baby Jesus) for good luck. The Danes and the Germans eat fish (especially herring) on New Year’s Eve because their folklore says that it will ensure good luck. In Denmark, they also throw dishes on friends’ doorsteps which is said to show how much they value them as friends! And the Germans, like the Austrians, eat marzipan pigs for good fortune on New Year’s Eve.

Of course the English and Scottish have great traditions too: In 13th Century England, handsels were given as good luck charms when someone started a new job or at a new time in their life . . and particularly at New Year. It was recognised that this new start in someone’s life often needed some special help – and a good luck gift for a new job was thought ideal. The Scots in particular take part in “first footing” on New Year’s Day, bringing gifts of shortbread and whisky to a neighbour’s house.

SEE some  HOUSE and OFFICE GIFTS for a NEW JOB or NEW START  in our online shop

New Year’s Day marks the Festival of Saint Basil in Greece, where children leave their shoes out to be filled with gifts. St. Basil’s bread is baked with small trinkets inside, bringing luck to those who find them. Also as a symbol of birth and regrowth in the New Year, an onion can be hung on the front door of one’s home – alongside the Christmas pomegranate.

Good New Year resolutions?!

Italians hang mistletoe over the front door to bring good luck . . and eat lentils for prosperity. Women in Mexico wear red underwear if they wish to marry in the New Year, and pink is worn by pregnant women to bring luck to the baby. Those hoping to travel, carry an empty suitcase around the block! Many people in Spain and Latin countries eat 12 grapes as a bell is rung 12 times at midnight. Each grape represents a month of the year. By eating them at midnight each participant hopes to have happiness and luck for the next 12 months. And in Russia, people write a wish on paper, burn it, and then add the ashes to a glass of Champagne, and drink it immediately before midnight.

In many of these countries, there is a strong Catholic tradition or belief and holiday celebrations go on until Epiphany on January 6, and the whole fortnight from Christmas is dedicated to making wishes, giving blessings and engaging in soothsaying about luck and prosperity in the New Year. The symbols of Spain’s Camino de Santiago (the 1,000-year-old pilgrimage to the shrine of St. James in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela – also known as the Way of St. James), also make great New Year gifts (for example, to wish good luck on a new adventure):

Camino bracelet for joy on the journey
Click for Camino de Santiago jewellery

It is worth pointing out however, that not all New Year celebrations take place on 1st January. The Jewish New Year is called Rosh Hashanah and it takes place in early Autumn. People eat apples and honey for a lucky year to come. The Chinese New Year is in February because they follow the lunar calendar . . but they still indulge themselves with lucky foods: Noodles, symbolising a long life, and dumplings which resemble gold nuggets.

The best New Year gift ideas?

Butterflies or rather, butterfly symbols (like the ever-popular tattoo, for example) are often used by people embarking on a change . . such as the new life that the New Year can symbolically bring. People are also asked to accept changes in their life . . just like the butterfly when it transforms itself from a little caterpillar. Butterflies can be symbolic of faith too, allowing the wind to carry us (and them) forward to our new goals and dreams. *  BUTTERFLY CHARM JEWELLERY  makes a great New Year gift for a friend’s new start in life . . their new beginning with new resolutions. This can be particularly true with teenagers moving into adulthood . . a symbol of letting go of old cycles and of finding a true inner self – expanding awareness, spreading one’s wings and moving forward to find their own place in life. Butterfly charm jewellery therefore makes the perfect gift for a friend’s new start in life . . their new beginning.

Another symbol of ‘reincarnation’ especially poignant at New Year, is the  TAU  Cross (also available in our shop with Jet / Azabache inlays): This can be gifted as a means of encouraging friends to have patience and acceptance, as they await their new start, their new beginning . . encouraging them to accept the things of the past – but also encouraging them to move on to a new life – to start a new adventure: A nice option for a New Years gift.

And then there is the  ANCHOR  symbol . . particularly for those who are having difficulties in life, the anchor can imply a self promise: To take stock, settle down and plan for a stable future – a symbol of hope with a fresh start. For those who are about to embark on something new and challenging, they can move forward to a new place in their life, make a new start, a new beginning – planting new roots and finding a better life – coupled with the hope for new stability and security . . with the confidence, self-assuredness, and trust in their ability to survive and succeed.

And of course, the ubiquitous lucky  HORSESHOE  is always a good bet. Or perhaps we should just do as the Danes do . . and break a few plates on our neighbour’s doorstep!

See some  ACCESSORIES to WISH LUCK in a NEW JOB or a NEW START . . or for a New Year  in our shop online

Make a resolution to send a happy New Year lucky charm gift for health and happiness this year: New business? New adventure? Get-well gift? Send warm wishes to someone for good luck in their new challenge, new start or new beginning.