Christmas 2006: What do Baby Boomer Women Want Under the Tree this Year? "Time out for Introspection" is Top of the List This Year

Midlife women, better know as Baby Boomers are not looking for baubles under the tree this year. As the most stressed out group of women in our history, they are looking for gifts that help them unwind, relax, and go perhaps a step further...to find some life meaning. Here are 5 top gift ideas as well as link to seven tips to avoid overwhelm this season , just for midlife women.

Christchurch, New Zealand (PRWEB) December 1, 2006 -- With Thanksgiving behind us, malls, shops, and glossy catalogs will hope to provide the right gift answer for Baby Boomer women - all 45.5 million strong.

"As the most stressed-out group of women in the history of our country, they are looking for more than baubles under the tree this year," says Jennifer Wright, MS, OTR, coach for midlife women and owner of Midlife Adventures. Wright bases her assumptions on eight years of research working with midlife women.

According to research conducted by Sue Shellenbarger for her 2004 book, The Breaking Point -How Female Midlife Crisis is Transforming, today's midlife women want to find meaning in life.

"One thing is certain," says Wright, "They don't want more things." After following their "fathers" into the workplace with the feminist movement, and conforming to a male work culture, women at midlife want to discover who they are under all the expectations and responsibilities they have taken on.

To assist in that process, here are some non-traditional gift ideas that will delight that special baby boomer woman on your list:
1.   Time away from it all. Based on your budget, this could be a weekend or full blown holiday. The key is to have opportunity for real relaxation.
2.   Vision quest opportunity designed with women over 40 in mind. It is paramount that you know your midlife woman well if you decide on this one. Most spiritual/religious organizations offer these, however it is important to know which one to choose.
3.   A gift of time. Once a week house-cleaning, or an offer to take over a task, like meal preparation for an elderly parent. This gives time back to your midlife woman.
4.   Spa treatment. In addition to searching for inner meaning, caring for one's body is a way to honor the self and allow for contemplation.
5.   A special journal for writing one's inner thoughts. Midlife reflection through writing is a 'yummy for the soul' activity for many women.

Wright, author of the soon to be released Getting Off Your Fast Moving Train: FindingYour Real Direction at Midlife says, "Boomer women, the now older super-women, are still making the bacon, frying it in the pan and serving it to their children, grandchildren and aging parents. Add holiday expections to any boomer woman's life, and you could have overwhelm."     She offers these tips www.midlifeheroine.com/AvoidingHolidayOverwhelm.html for reducing holiday overwhelm

Wright, whose own midlife crisis lead her to leave her home in Indiana, and move to New Zealand, has created a 6 day/5 night adventure exclusively for Baby Boomer women. Jenn and her adventures, www.midlifeadventure.com have featured in TIME Magazine and on 60 Minutes Australia, "Women really need to give themselves permission to STOP and take real time for themselves. We are fooling ourselves if we think we can find meaning in a "just add hot water and run" mentality." For Boomers who can't come to New Zealand, check out Jenn's 10 hour CD with downloadable workbook . http://www.midlifeheroine.com/HeroineCD.html

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Journalists, newsletter publishers, bloggers and others: You may reprint any/all of the gift ideas or tips for reducing holiday overwhelm as long as you include the source: www.midlifeadventure.com.

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