The holidays are here and this can be a very exciting time for many, and it can be very overwhelming at the same time! I don’t know about you but it feels like each year, gift-giving gets more and more excessive. Part of me feels like it’s just more love from more people and on the other hand, it can feel like it’s just buying to buy, with little intention. I have felt beyond overwhelmed over the past week with constant deals in my face. I mean, Black Friday now starts a week early and is extended until Monday. Small Business Saturday is hard to notice with the large corporate deals flying around, and then Cyber Monday tops it all off with even more BIGGER and BETTER deals. It’s exhausting. If you know me, you know I’m all about intention. I don’t care how much money you spend on me, I have so much love for those who just make me feel thought of. The first weekend of the holiday season is filled with expectations to buy, buy, buy. But, where is the thought and intention behind the purchase?

I’d love to challenge your gift-buying this year. Think of each person you’re shopping for and ask yourself “what will allow them to feel seen and loved?” This isn’t about a price tag or a name brand. It’s about giving from the heart. In today’s world, it’s so easy to catch a quick deal and send it to someone’s house without even seeing the gift. Push yourself to put your senses into the gifts you’re buying. Who is it serving? How is it helping them? Who are you buying from? What’s the meaning behind the gift?

I have created this mini wellness gift guide to help you shop for the woo-woo person in your life. Though this guide is wellness-oriented, there are items here that absolutely would be intentional for just about any individual. None of these items are sponsored however, I may get paid a small commission from some of the items listed below if purchasing through these links, none of which you are charged for. I’ll keep this short and sweet as I genuinely hate scrolling through hundreds of items in a gift guide. I made this list with the best intentions to help you shop for a loved one or give you some self-help ideas to manifest in your life. I tried organizing these into categories for ya though many of these could fall under multiple areas. So, let’s get started!

Experiences

I LOVE getting and giving experiences. This can come in many forms such as tickets to an escape room, an adventure park, or a date night. Experiences can really range in price and can be enjoyed with others, or by yourself! Some underrated wellness experiences that could be purchased as a thoughtful gift include:

• Massage
  A massage goes a long way for a lot of people. We live in a hustle society that doesn’t allow for much rest or decompression. Gifting a massage lets others know that you see how hard they work and how much they deserve to rest. There are many forms of massage including deep tissue, cupping, Swedish, etc. This is a great way to support local businesses by purchasing massage certificates from small businesses rather than corporate companies.
• Acupuncture and Chiropractic
  Acupuncture and chiropractic care are incredible gifts to give. Similar to massage therapy, acupuncture can be used to decompress and relax. Chiropractic care can really improve overall health through alignment in the body. Though acupuncture and chiropractic care can be used as treatment options for a lot of specific health issues, they can also be used to promote mental health, relaxation, and overall well-being.
• Health Spa Treatments
  I struggle with a lot of the wellness world because self-care is often characterized by manicures, facials, and pampering. Though this can be a form of self-care, it’s not wellness. So, recommending spa treatments is a hard thing to do. However, this is a great gift because it does allow someone to relax and enjoy a service that they otherwise might now. Spa treatments aren’t always accessible so can be a fun gift to receive. From IV therapy and vitamin shots to salt therapy and infrared sauna, there are so many experiences and services that will show you put thought into the needs of your loved ones while supporting small businesses.
• Amplify Ticket
  This is the perfect gift for the entrepreneur, female founder, or content creator in your life. Amplify is the live virtual weekend to help you thrive in your business and nourish your life and tickets are on sale now. This is an incredible gift that shows your support to the ambitious women in your life that want to learn and grow in business. You can get your ticket here!

Movement

We all know mindful movement is my jam! I love receiving gifts to aid my fitness and movement journey, but it hasn’t always been that way. I would have hated getting a fitness-related gift 10 years ago because I was so uncomfortable in my body. I would have assumed someone was implying I need to exercise more (that’s a me problem, not a them problem). But, it’s important to ensure that there is thought behind the fitness gift and that it’s something they would actually use and enjoy.

• Movement Passes
  This includes passes or class credits for a gym, yoga studio, cycle/pilates/barre studio, etc. Some people are really tied to their gym memberships so be mindful of where you are shopping as some people may not be willing or want to try out a new fitness space or movement studio. This is a thoughtful gift for someone that loves going to a specific place. Many studios have gift cards and credits available for purchase as a gift!
• Yoga Set
  All things yoga for your favorite yogi! From yoga blocks and mats to meditation bolsters and blankets, there are so many thoughtful gifts to get your yogi friends! I have compiled an Amazon List on my Storefront with a list of my favorite yoga items! Click here to view it!
• Exercise Equipment
  This can be hit or miss because people generally have preferred workout equipment and/or can be sensitive to receiving exercise equipment as a gift. I have created an Amazon List on my Storefront with a list of my exercise items that make working out from home accessible! Click here to view it!
• Barefoot Shoes
  I’m totally obsessed with barefoot shoes. Okay, let’s be honest, I’m obsessed with being barefoot. But, it’s necessary for a lot of situations so barefoot shoes are my go-to! They are not only more comfortable but they are WAY better for your body when moving and exercising. I have linked my favorites in the same list above but they deserved their own bullet point! Click here to view it!
• Online Memberships
  This goes along the lines of gym and studio passes but allows someone to stay home and move. From at-home yoga classes to group fitness classes that sync up to your bike, there are many options to give someone an online membership to move mindfully from the comfort of their own home!

Kitchen & Cooking

All the kitchen goods! There is nothing more fun than getting a new kitchen gadget, at least I think so! I’m totally on a kick of making my own cooking ingredients and staples. Eating preservative free is a great way to reduce inflammation in the body and though it’s not sustainable for all, there are many products that can make the process easier.

• Kitchen Supplies
  I’ve compiled a list of all of my favorite kitchen supplies for you but my top favorites are:
  – Kombucha Making Kit
  – Ninja Blender (hardcore smoothie maker over here!)
  – Sourdough Starter
  – Clear Organization Storage Container (the more visible it is, the more likely it is that I’ll consume it)
• Herb Garden
  I am ALL about growing my own herbs. It’s fresh and WAY less expensive than buying them every week! There are so many fun ways to gift an herb garden. You could gift seeds and soil, an AeroGarden, or a raised garden bed. There are many ways to gift a home garden! What a fun gift! Here’s a link to my fave home gardening products!

Self-Help

We love a supportive friend or family member! This Self-Help section could be merged with the Self-Care section below but I wanted to separate them to make the guide easier to follow. These options are wonderful to calm the mind and body while promoting personal growth.

• Therapy (In-Person and/or Online)
  No link here, just an idea for those who can’t afford therapy or the avid therapy goer that would appreciate a gift card or session credit. Therapy is expensive and insurance doesn’t usually cover much of it if any. Similar to the gym situation, if someone already goes to therapy, I wouldn’t suggest getting gift cards or credits anywhere other than their therapist’s office. This could be a complicated gift due to client privacy but if you know where they go/who they see, this would be an incredibly thoughtful and supportive gift. Be sure their insurance isn’t covering it to ensure that your gift doesn’t go to waste. Other options would be BetterHelp and Talkspace as online therapy options (not sponsored, I personally have never used these sites and have seen mixed reviews so do your research prior to purchasing).
• Meditation
  I don’t have any specific recommendation for this (though, something may be in the pipeline soon, hint hint), but a meditation membership/subscription is an incredible self-help gift for your mindful friends! Though I haven’t specifically tried the following sites, I have heard great reviews of them:
  – Calm
  – Headspace
  – Kaylala App (includes yoga & meditation)
• Books
  We love a good self-help book, right? There are soooo many but here’s a list of my favorites!
  – Atlas of the Heart, Brené Brown
  – Untamed, Glennon Doyle
  – Wolfpack, Abby Wambach
  – The Gifts of Imperfection, Brené Brown
  – Onward, Howard Schultz
  – In Defense of Food, Michael Pollan

Self-Care

Here are some self-care ideas for you to spoil and paper for girlfriends, wellness pals, and family members looking to improve their overall health and wellness!

• Coaching
  Of course, I can’t have a wellness guide that doesn’t include 1:1 coaching!! My coaching is groundbreaking and helps women live intuitively and confidently through health and wellness. I offer gift cards and full packages as gift options to show your greatest gal pal how much you care about them! Let’s go girls!
• General Wellness Products
  Okay, these could all have their own category but in the spirit of making this short and sweet (who am I kidding, this isn’t all that short), I compiled a list of my favorite basic wellness products all as one. My absolute favorites of them:
  – Massage Gun
  – Liquid IV (I know, added sugar but they work so well)
  – Blue Light Glasses
  – Coffee Enema (it gets its own list)
• Journal & Workbooks
  We love a good self-care journal! I have some listed in my Happy Reads list on my Amazon Storefront AND I have three of my very own personal workbooks that I’ve created! They can be purchased as a gift for anyone looking to up their personal growth!
  – The Way to Wellness Personal Workbook
  – Gratitude & Goal Setting Journal Worksheets
  – Guide to Intuitive Living
• Hygiene Products
  We love a good self-care routine! I spent YEARS figuring out a hygiene routine. I’m not a gal that loves makeup and skincare but I also know it’s important to take care of my body, including what I put on and around my body. I have found a love for Pacifica products for my skincare routine. This is always a fun gift to get as it improves your self-care while giving you a chance to pamper yourself! All of my favorite hygiene products are listed here!

Love, Light, & Good Energy

Gifts are fun to receive and give but it’s not accessible or sustainable for all. Never underestimate the power of a handwritten note and some good vibes. Gifts don’t need to hold monetary value. I 1000% believe we need to take away some of the pressure to do so much gift-giving each holiday season. It takes the joy out of the season. So, if you’re struggling to think of something that you can afford, maybe consider giving the gift of loving-kindness. You’ll be surprised how far it can go for someone.