10 Relaxing Self-Care Gifts to Treat Yourself This Holiday Season
The holiday season is one of joy and celebration, but it can also bring stress and exhaustion as we navigate busy schedules, to-do lists, and special occasions. Amid the chaos, it’s essential to carve out moments of self-care for your mental health and physical health. What better way to do this than by treating yourself—or a family member—to a few thoughtful, relaxing self-care presents?
As I’ve shared in previous posts, and my newsletter, I have had a history of overdoing it during the holiday season, leading to burnout and illness. This is NOT the way to spend our holidays! I have written a few blog posts sharing some of the things I modified in my life to make the holiday season magical without the burnout. One of the things I do during the season is to print out a paper calendar for November and December, so I can plan things out–erase and move things around, but must of all see the month before me. This way, I can plan down times right into my schedule. It might entail going to a salon and having a manicure, facial, or pedicure–or a message, or planning to do it at home–both of which are enjoyable. A coupon for an at-home day of pampering at home with a good book or a day at the spa makes a great gift during busy times when we need a little extra TLC. Taking time out for ones self is a relatively new phenomenon, but we still need to be reminded to take care of ourselves sometimes.
Here’s a curated list of the season’s best self-care gifts to inspire relaxation, rejuvenation, and a sense of calm during this bustling time of year. Whether you’re shopping for yourself or for someone else, these self-care gift ideas are the perfect addition to any gift list.
1. Essential Oils and Diffuser: A Breath of Fresh Air
- Why It’s Great: Essential oils, with their natural ingredients, are a great way to enhance your mental health and air quality. Citrus scents can energize, while lavender and chamomile promote a deep slumber.
- Perfect Self-Care Gift: Pair a sleek essential oil diffuser with a variety of oils in different colors and scents to suit every mood.
- Extra Touch: Look for small diffusers ideal for the living room or bedside table.
I like to use pine scents for the holidays, or tye a sprig of pine or eucalyptus around the shower head to create a wonderful natural scent when showering or bathing. Plus, don’t forget the car! Adding seasonal scents to the car is a great way to create a relaxing environment in the car–I used to joke that I turned my car into a rolling spa, with a lovely scent and some nice music.
2. A Luxurious Bath Kit for the Ultimate Relaxation
- Why It’s Great: Few things beat a warm bath after the end of a long day. A bath kit with bath bombs, Epsom salt, and a bubble bath is the ideal self-care gift to melt away stress and tension.
- Gift Ideas:
- Bath salts infused with essential oils for soothing body aches.
- Body oil with coconut oil or vitamin E for post-bath hydration.
- Pro Tip: Add fresh flowers or a deep sleep pillow spray for an extra indulgent bath time.
Making bath bombs is super easy and makes a great gift if you like a good DIY that is inexpensively decedent. I love making Luxurious Bath Kits for my friends and as hostess gifts. I will often purchase sample kits, take them apart, and make them into a more custom basket, with hand creams, bath salts, and sheet masks, along with some DIY’s for a sumptuous gift, or to use myself. I can’t say enough in favor of spa kits! Oh and don’t forget a soft and cozy bathrobe.
3. A Spa-Inspired Skincare Set
- Why It’s Great: Glowing skin is the ultimate pick-me-up. Skincare products like face masks, sheet masks, or hair masks make a thoughtful gift for someone who loves a little extra help.
- Best Products:
- Masks with hyaluronic acid for hydration and plumping.
- Lip balm infused with vitamin C for softer lips in the winter chill.
- Gua sha tools for improving blood circulation and reducing fine lines.
- Perfect for: A best friend or a family member who adores skincare.
My daughter and I used to have a “spa day” every Saturday where we would use sheet masks, give ourselves a mani/pedi, or apply a hair mask. It was a fun way to take care of skin and hair and spend some quality time together. while I love a good face mask together time is a great gift in itself! There is nothing like a spa or pamper day with a friend or loved one. (I need to put that on my list to do with Brooke when she comes home this season!)
4. A Guided Journal for Mental Wellness
- Why It’s Great: A guided journal is an easy way to reflect, practice gratitude, and ease stress. Writing down good things each day helps clear the mind and improve focus.
- Perfect Gift: Pair a beautifully designed journal with self-help books or self-care kits to encourage mindfulness.
Oh, how I love a good journal and a fountain pen! I start each day with meditation and journaling, and can’t imagine a day without it. Sometimes I go with guided meditations or journal prompts, while other days I just write what is on my heart. However one decides to do it, journaling or art journaling is good for the soul, and one’s mental health. I strongly recommend it!
5. Cozy Accessories for a Relaxing Night In
- Why It’s Great: The best part of self-care is sinking into comfort. Accessories like an eye mask, plush slippers, or a cozy throw make the perfect gift for someone who loves staying in.
- Gift Ideas:
- An eye mask with cooling gel for tired eyes.
- A throw blanket in a variety of colors to suit any decor.
- A stylish stainless steel water bottle to keep hydrated.
- Cozy loungewear
- Cozy bathrobe
- This is where texture and coziness play a huge role! Snuggle up with Barefoot Dreams, or a two-piece cashmere lounge set. My cousin is the queen of bathrobes and loves a good cozy robe on a cold winter night. I love seeing a basket full of cozy blankets beside the fireplace or to cozy up with while watching TV in the winter. Finding good ones is easy these days, and they make a wonderful gift.
6. Wellness Subscriptions and Gift Cards
- Why It’s Great: Subscriptions for yoga classes, wellness apps, or even spa treatments are the best gifts for someone looking to improve their physical health.
- Gift Ideas:
- A gift certificate to a local spa for a relaxing day out.
- A fitness app subscription to try out the latest fitness trends.
- A gift card for a wellness store to choose their own wellness products.
- As I shared above, there is something wonderful to be said for both at-home spa days and going to a spa. I do both and love each other for different reasons. An at-home spa day after a week of running errands is a wonderful reprieve. As a blogger who spends lots of time at home, getting out and going to a spa alone or with a friend is wonderful too. Be sure to think about the recipient of a spa or wellness subscription–during my pregnancy, I was gifted a massage but felt so self-conscious I didn’t end up using it. Mind you, I would appreciate such a gift now!
7. Thoughtful Books for a Quiet Escape
- Why It’s Great: Reading is a great way to relax and escape from the stress of day-to-day life.
- Perfect Gift: A new book paired with a favorite beverage like tea or hot cocoa creates a cozy reading experience.
- Best Books:
- Novels for entertainment.
- Self-help books for personal growth.
- Puzzle books like adult coloring books or jigsaw puzzles for mindful relaxation.
- I used to dream of a place I could go to just read a book without interruption for a few hours when my daughter was young. Maybe once a week would have been nice! Don’t underestimate the value of a gift like this, a gift of a few hours of uninterrupted time, a good book or sketch pad, and a delicious beverage. Outdoors in the summer, somewhere cozy in the winter.
As I stated above, even a blank book for writing or drawing and some colored pencils make a great gift for a thoughtful escape. Don’t forget–if you know of a good spot to go for a quiet escape that can be greatly appreciated as well. We have co-working spaces for rent here that are available by the hour, day or month. I would have love something like that when I was a new mom!
8. Air Purifiers for Better Living
- Why It’s Great: An air purifier is a thoughtful gift that improves air quality while creating a calming atmosphere.
- Gift Ideas:
- Compact purifiers are perfect for small spaces like the bedroom or office.
- Larger purifiers for the living room or shared spaces.
- A few years ago, Roger purchased air purifiers for our home. They help to keep the air quality nice and reduce my seasonal allergies especially during the spring when we can’t have the house open due to the pollen levels.
9. Tools for Fitness and Recovery
- Why It’s Great: For those focused on physical health, tools like dry brushing sets or foam rollers are fantastic for recovery and relaxation.
- Gift Ideas:
- A fitness tracker to monitor heart rate and activity.
- Recovery tools like massagers or yoga mats.
- Redlight masks
- Sauna mats
- For the past few years, I have been using red light therapy for skin care and overall health. I currently use a mask, a hair band and a device for my decollete, it takes about twenty minutes to do a red light treatment, and I can’t say enough about how much better my skin looks as well as how I feel. I have yet to try a sauna mat, though I love a good sauna. In the USA, saunas are a little bit harder to come by, so the mat seems like a great way to get the benefits if you don’t have the space in your home for a real one.
- We gave Roger an Apple watch last year, and he mentions frequently how much he likes it. He has an app to monitor sleep quality, food intake, fitness tracker, and heart rate. I know many already have Apple watches–he was a holdout–and he loves it now. We also have a variety of massagers to help with muscle recovery–they are not just for the young! Older people need these items too!
10. Thoughtful Little Extras
- Why It’s Great: Sometimes, the little things make the biggest impact. Add these to your self-care presents to make them truly special.
- Ideas:
- Citrus scents for a mood lift. Lavender for relaxation, Eucalyptus for health,
- A deep sleep pillow spray for restful nights.
- Self-care kits featuring travel-sized versions of the season’s best self-care gifts.
- An Adult coloring book
- A Jigsaw Puzzle
- These items are so very thoughtful and are very affordable. They make lovely stocking stuffers as well as basket fillers–part of a larger wellness gift–think curating a spa gift certificate, a sleep mask, and a scented candle, in a lovely basket or container. This type of curated gift is one of my favorite ways of putting together a thoughtful but not super expensive gift.
Final Thoughts
Self-care isn’t just a luxury; it’s an essential part of maintaining mental health and balance, especially during the holiday season. I can’t say this enough! Whether you are struggling with holiday overload and need a few things from this list for yourself, or you are looking for a friend or loved one, a gift centered on health and wellness is very thoughtful and doesn’t have to break the bank. Whether you go in for a home gym with all the trimmings or you set out a small basket in your bathroom with a few bath items, taking time out for yourself or encouraging someone else to take time out–think new moms, someone coming home from the hospital, or just someone who needs a little encouragement to take some quiet time, this type of gift is very special and a way to show the recipient (or yourself) that you care.
Whether you’re looking for the perfect self-care gift for a loved one or treating yourself, these self-care gift ideas are the best things to prioritize relaxation and wellness.
With these thoughtful and unique wellness gifts, you’ll bring a sense of calm and joy to the end of a long day—the ultimate gift-recipient experience. Here’s to a stress-free new year filled with self-care, love, and peace!
