With all the extra treats, drinks and goodies of the holiday season, why not give a gift that can be enjoyed guilt free? Here are some suggestions for healthy gifts that you can feel good about giving, and your loved ones will feel good about receiving. Health conscious gifts convey your hopes of sharing many more holidays together, what better message could there be? Maybe you will start a new tradition in your family or at the office that will expand farther than you even imagined.
Personal Gifts for Family and Friends
- Personal skin care products that are made from organic, safe and chemical free ingredients.
- A massage or facial gift certificate is a soothing stress reliever
- Certificates for yoga studios, pilates classes, or personal training sessions will help New Year’s resolutions be accomplished rather than forgotten
- Cozy clothing made from 100% pesticide-free organic cotton
- A session or two with a health counselor
Gifts Appropriate for Business or Acquaintances
- Healthy nuts in their shell and a nut cracker. Nuts are full of vitamins, minerals and healthy unsaturated fats. Almonds, walnuts, pecans and pistachios are all great choices.
- A bottle of gourmet extra virgin olive oil would be appreciated by any cook or salad lover and provides much needed omega 3 fatty acids
- An organic fruit basket or organic fruit-of-the-month club
- Flowers are always sure to brighten someone’s day and lift their mood
Last-minute Gifts to Stock
- A box of good quality dark chocolate is a healthy treat. Dark chocolate (with at least 70% cocoa) has a lot of antioxidants and is good for the heart and for blood pressure
- Music has the power to change our mood, relive stress and energize. Consider a holiday cd, an iTunes gift card, the latest music from their favorite artist, or concert tickets
- A subscription to a health magazine will be supportive all year long
- An emergency flashlight that doesn’t require batteries is a practical gift that everyone would appreciate, especially the gadget lover
- Certificates to book stores, movie theatres, health food stores or a health conscious restaurant would be welcomed by anyone
For the Tree Huggers
- Buy renewable energy credits: Credits help offset the environmental costs of our energy needs by funding renewable energy sources, like wind and solar power, elsewhere on the grid.
- Take a friend off junk mail lists: Generate automatic forms with your recipient’s name and address atyour choice of various junk mail cancellation websitesto reduce unwanted mail by 50 percent. Present the forms in stamped, addressed envelopes ready to be signed and mailed.
- Assemble a green and evironmentally friendly basket of compact fluorescent light bulbs, forms for stopping junk mail, delicious and healthy recipes or a cookbook, and a note about how they can log onto www.turnthetide.org to see exactly how much of an impact they are having on the environment
While the holiday season is all about giving, take time to give back to yourself as well. Schedule some "you" time every week rather than running from party to party and never stopping to enjoy the joys of the season.
Consider what it is about the holidays that you enjoy most, and allow yourself to do what you want to do instead of what you have to. Also, choose three things that can be simplified over the holidays. Keeping your own stress levels in check can be the best gift you can give to yourself and your family.
- Allow help from others: Allowing everyone to bring a dish at family dinners gives everyone the chance to participate and share their special recipes and allows you more time and energy to enjoy the party and those you love.
- Let yourself off the hook: Don’t feel like you have to accept every holiday invitation, or buy a gift for everyone at the office. Schedule some down time on the weekends so you can take a yoga class or get a massage.
- Connect with others: Make a date to have lunch with a friend, or volunteer to help a charitable organization for a few hours. Laughing with a friend and helping those in need can offer some much needed perspective during the holiday season.
This holiday, consider buying gifts that support your loved ones health and wellness with gifts that make them healthier, while also feeling loved and appreciated. The love and appreciation they feel is sure to be reflected back to you. Allowing yourself to enjoy what is most meaningful to you this month will improve your own health and happiness as well.
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