Holiday shopping can be stressful; there’s no doubt about it—especially if you don’t plan ahead. Our culture has put such pressure on us to buy and consume around the holiday season. Unnecessary stress can come from financial pressures and finding the perfect gifts, to fighting crowds and traffic.
But the holiday season does not have to put such a heavy strain on your wallet, your schedule, or your sanity. Consider these gift ideas this year — gifts that encourage mindfulness, promote relaxation and a present state of being, and will have a positive impact on the giftee’s life (even if just in some small way). Most of these recommended gifts range from $4 to $50 in price, so they won’t break your bank either.
Whether you’re shopping for your sister, brother, parents, boss, in-laws, neighbor, teacher, friend, coworker or hairdresser, you’ll be sure to crack a smile and heartfelt “thank you” when you gift something more meaningful this season. Check out these handpicked gifts that encourage mindfulness — from small stocking stuffers to larger presents — for your people this holiday season.
Mindful Minutes Gift Pick #1: A Deck of Affirmation Cards
Give someone the gift of positivity! There are so many beautiful decks to choose from on the market today, from affirmations and quotes to self-help and stress-less tips. Most of them are covered in beautiful colors and illustrations, with powerful words to help you find your inner strength. Here are a few of my favorite decks.
Mindful Minutes Gift Pick #2: Wood Pallet Wall Art
Inspirational phrases designed on a 21″x18″ piece of pinewood.
Mindful Minutes Gift Pick #3: The Five Minute Journal
Use the science of positive psychology to start your day—a powerful way to increase overall happiness levels in your life.
Mindful Minutes Gift Pick #4: A Singing Bowl
Enjoy the rich tones of a Tibetan singing bowl. The sounds and vibrations from singing bowls are known to promote relaxation and other powerful healing properties. This is certainly one of those gifts that encourage mindfulness!
Mindful Minutes Gift Pick #5: Zen Sand Garden
A mini version of the traditional Japanese meditative garden, one of the perfect gifts that encourage mindfulness for the office or home.
Mindful Minutes Gift Pick #6: A Tree of Life Journal
A journal covered with a tree of life, perfect for personal reflection, sketching, note-taking, and jotting down your favorite quotes and poems. Here are my favorites:
Mindful Minutes Gift Pick #7: Master Your Mind Meditation Course
An in-depth, 5-week meditation course perfect for the new meditator. Learn five techniques and get practical tools to design a daily practice.
Mindful Minutes Gift Pick #8: A Pack of Blank Notecards
It’s always great to have notecards on-hand for birthday, hellos, thank yous, and everyday messages.
Mindful Minutes Gift Pick #9: A Mindful Coloring Book
There are tons of adult coloring books on the market today that encourage mindfulness. Here are a few of my favorites:
Mindful Minutes Gift Pick #10: A Plant
Hit your local farmers market, flower shop, or nursery and pick up an indoor plant. Succulents, orchids, Philodendron, and English ivy are my favorites.
Mindful Minutes Gift Pick #11: Mala Beads
Mala beads make great gifts for the spiritually-minded giftee. Choose a stone, color and style that suits them best.
Mindful Minutes Gift Pick #12: A Scented Candle
Who doesn’t love a new fresh scented candle for the house? Here are a few scents that I find particularly calming: Mrs. Meyers Clean Day scented soy candle comes in a variety of fresh scents and burns for 25 hours.
Mindful Minutes Gift Pick #13: Tea Set
Numi tea is my favorite, they use the best flavors and ingredients, and their teas are chock full of health benefits. Their flowering gift set includes tea and a glass teapot.
Besides this, any tea set or collection would make a great gift, especially if you select flavors and spices that the giftee especially likes.
Mindful Minutes Gift Pick #14: Wind Chime
Simple wood chime with capiz shells, great for the garden.
Mindful Minutes Gift Pick #15: My Intent Jewelry
Create a bracelet or necklace with a meaningful word or phrase (an “intention”) for your giftee.
Mindful Minutes Gift Pick #16: Mindful Magazine Subscription
A one-year subscription of my favorite magazine.
Mindful Minutes Gift Pick #17: Inspirational Books
I always get excited when someone gifts me a new book. Here are 15 of my absolute favorites in the mindfulness realm.
This list wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t mention the book I wrote! A perfect gift idea for the busy person who wants to learn to meditate, The Type A’s Guide to Mindfulness: Meditation for Busy Minds and Busy People.
Mindful Minutes Gift Pick #18: Yoga Class Pack
If your giftee practices yoga, find out their favorite studio and gift them a class pack. This is the time of year many studios offer discounts and sales, so take advantage!
Mindful Minutes Gift Pick #19: Homemade Gift
Make someone a tray of cookies. Design a necklace. Write a poem or letter. Create a homemade tea with special ingredients they would especially like. Draw a picture. Put together photos to make a scrapbook or framed photo. Get creative and make something with thought and intention—who doesn’t love thoughtful, homemade gifts that encourage mindfulness and meaning?!
Mindful Minutes Gift Pick #20: Make a Donation
Find out if your giftee supports a particular non-profit and make a donation on their behalf. If they don’t have a particular non-profit they support, consider these ideas:
- COMPASSION IT: A non-profit focusing on inspiring compassionate actions and attitudes. Make a donation to support compassion education around the world. You can even join a friend to become a monthly Compassion It advocate and receive monthly lessons!
- Plant a Tree: The Nature Conservancy is focusing on restoring forests around the world. Support the environment by planting a tree on your giftee’s behalf.