Wellness - Mental and Physical

A universal gift for anyone trying to improve their wellbeing. This Sunrise Alarm Clock - Waking up to natural light is amazing for your body and wellbeing. Light levels throughout the day impact our mental health, hormones, and body functions. I’ll be asking for this alarm clock that uses lighting to mimic sunrise and sunset to help your body wake up and wind down naturally. An alarm clock like this also encourages us to keep our phones out of our rooms so that they aren’t the last thing we look at when we go to bed or the first thing we look at when we wake up.

A meditation app subscription for the new or experienced meditator - My personal favorite it, Insight Timer app ($60/year). This is my top pick because it is so versatile and has millions of different meditations, recorded libraries and live classes, even yoga classes, the paid subscription also provides access to courses led by world renowned spiritual teachers (very cool).

Meditation app for Gen-Z or your manifesting focused friend - Super Human app ($30/mo or $180/year). I think this app is great for beginners, those that lean more towards active, simple meditations (think cooking, walking, cleaning, journaling meditations) and affirmations. This app tends to serve a younger demographic, also geared more towards women.

A thoughtful journal is a great gift for many demographics. Choose one of these and pair it with cute pens (I like these and these) and you’ve got a super thoughtful and mindful gift set!

• The Five Minute Journal - $20 - This is a simple journal that encourages a daily gratitude practice. This journal provides prompts for morning and evening to practice gratitude, set intentions, and reflect on daily experiences.

• If you have a friend with a more established journaling practice and would prefer to leave out the prompts. This is my go-to journal ($10-12) that comes in so many colors and fits in my purse.

• If you’re looking for something that looks more upscale, try this, it’s also monogrammable for that personal touch ($24).

For your physical wellness friend (also considered putting this under the “beauty” gifts). There are so many benefits to dry brushing (this one from Ulta, this one on Amazon, both <$10) - improve skin texture, lymphatic drainage, increase circulation, and reduce the appearance of cellulite, just to name a few. Pairing a dry brush with a good body oil would be a great gift. Osea Malibu has this “glow-to exfoliating and hydrating body must haves” kit ($90) that includes high quality oil, body scrub, and a dry brush. Their dry brush sells separate for $28, the oil is $78, and body scrub $48, so the kit is a great deal in my opinion.

For anyone who needs to take a deeeeep breath. The vagus nerve is responsible for optimizing and maintaining our body’s stress response system. After the stress of the holiday’s this vagus nerve oil ($48) from Osea Malibu would be perfect for total relaxation. It is so calming, refreshing, and relaxing.

For the yogis or home exercisers - this is my favorite yoga mat. Once you invest in a good mat, you never go back.

For your reader friend, your niece, or co-worker self-development junkie. A book that is quite literally life changing, “101 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think” by Brianna Wiest.

For the Natural Beauties

Facial Reflexology Tool - $45- I think this would be such a cool gift for your wellness-minded beauty guru friend. In my opinion its more specialized one step up from the common gua sha tool. Check out the creator, Dana Omari, for use and tips.

I love the herbs and products from Anima Mundi (see rose powder below), this rose detox mask ($20) is so vibrant. All of their products are so thoughtful and beautifully made.

I had to purchase this hair oil ($7) after I saw so many good reviews. It feels luxurious and indulgent for a great price point. Pair it with a scalp massager ($7) to really make it self-care moment.

Herbalism

The Healing Garden by Juliet Blankespoor - $25 - This is perfect for your herbalist friend. It’s a beautiful book full of herbal remedies and gardening tips from a reputable herbalist. I keep mine out on my coffee table because it looks that good! I think this book would be so cute and thoughtfully paired with other tools every herbalist needs like these micro-tip pruning shears, a pestle and mortar, and re-sealable jars to keep their herbs fresh. Personally, I find my re-sealable jars from Goodwill, they are so cheap and its more sustainable, just give them good wash before you gift.

I love adding this heart opening rose powder into my coffee and teas. Herbs and supplements from Anima Mundi are very high quality.

Sustainability

Reusable coffee cup - this is a great sustaible and versatile gift. After all, doesn’t everyone end up with at least one holiday Starbucks gift card?

A hydrated family is a happy family. This water bottle comes in so many colors, sizes, and lid options. This would be great for your mom, dad, kids, friends; everyone should be drinking more water! Purchasing from their zoo collection includes a $5 donation to San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. Also, 25% off starting today - 12/3.

Stay tuned for my Thriftmas and DIY gift guide coming next week!

Children

For mindful kids - I’m obsessed with the products from Slumberkins. They use adorable books and stuffed animals to support emotional learning and wellbeing in kids. They also have classroom sets which would be perfect for your child’s teacher or your teacher friend! Options for ages 0-8 years.

This would be a great gift for the mindful parent or soon-to-be parents. This book was recommended by my meditation teacher, “Everyday Blessings, The Inner Work of Mindful Parenting.”

My hot take - philanthropic babies are in. Will a baby know you gave them a gift? No, but their parents do. I find that my new parent friends end up getting SO MUCH STUFF to only then find out their baby either grows out of it super-fast or they don’t really need as much as they originally thought. Something they always need, diapers. I think a thoughtful gift would be a diaper pack coupled with a donation to the National Diaper Bank Network in their baby’s name.

“Rise Up: Reach for Your Light” by my friend, Ginny Ellesworth. Any book teaching children to meditate, straight into the cart! Ideal for ages 5-10.

Home Wares

I love this shop for so many beautiful and unique home finds.

• I get SO MANY compliments on this tea set ($50). I’ve had at least 5 people ask for the link. It’s giving mother-in-law gift vibes.

• For a friend, co-worker, secret Santa, this tea cup ($20).

• Feng Shui friendly, lucky fish vase ($70). I think this would be perfect for your holiday party host, filled with flowers for an extra nice touch.

• They also sell fu dogs (feng shui protectors!) minis ($45), perfect for the office, or standard size ($75) for the front door.