Do you have a member of your friend group (or family) who is at the forefront of the latest meditation trends?
You know the one. They never run out of self-help book recommendations, and is overall just the pinnacle of a self-improving, self-caring queen?
While this might make them an intimidating friend to shop for, we’ve rounded up some amazing gift ideas for the self-care guru in your life. And, hey, maybe you are the self-care expert. In which case, this guide is for you to take care of you—and maybe pick up a few items for your loved ones.
We've got serums. We've got gifts to boost their brain and broaden their mind. Most importantly, we created this list so that you can put your personal touch on the perfect gift for your favorite self-care giftee.
Before you dive in, check out all of our gift guides:
- The Ultimate Gift Guide to Shop Women-Owned Businesses
- The Ultimate Gift Guide for Your Mom, Mentor, or Role Model
- The Ultimate Gift Guide for Your Best Friend
- The Ultimate Gift Guide for Yourself
- The Ultimate Gift Guide for Your Eco-Conscious Friend
- The Ultimate Gift Guide for Your Favorite Coworkers
- The Ultimate Gift Guide to Shop Black Women-Owned Businesses
*If you buy something through our links, Career Contessa may earn an affiliate commission.
For the Beauty, Skincare, and Clean Queen in Your Life
This is your friend with a hundred lotions and potions that each do a different thing—and it shows. Their skin practically glows in the dark with dewy goodness.
For a Good Soak in the Tub
Do good for your body as well as the planet. Mater Soap is dedicated to offering products with 100% sustainable plant materials as well as elevating your daily rituals.
Gift your loved one their salt soak, for calming the mind and soothing the body—giving her the perfect excuse for a self-care day. Or, gift them the Mater Serum as a cover-all oil designed to give them the ultimate glow!
We also recommend these bathing treats:
- This all-natural coconut milk bath (Yum!)
- And this bath pillow (because every bath should have a pillow!)
- A bathtub tray caddy
For Thirsty Skin
A company born out of wanting to feel confident in your own skin is a company we can get behind. Hanahana Beauty is a skincare and wellness brand working to disrupt the beauty industry by providing natural products.
For the self-care enthusiast on-the-go, Hanahana has a shea balm that fits perfectly in their purse! Or, gift a full-body experience with this hyper hydrating Vanilla Lavender Shea Butter which is the closest thing to being anointed in oil that we can find.
For The "Cleanliness is Next to Godliness" Giftee
Having your home be a sanctuary can be a crucial piece of the self-care puzzle. That is why we love the idea of giving your cleaning products a glow-up. Saint Olio is focused on providing all-natural products that are not only great home cleansers but also great scents that will uplift your mood, calm your nerves, and overall, make your pad feel luxurious. We're eyeing these air + linen refreshers, because who doesn't want to feel like they're in a spa while in the comfort of your own home?
Gifts for Pure Indulgement
You know the kind of gifts we're talking about. It's the all-cozy-everything, sitting at home watching Netflix all day kind of self-care that we all need sometimes. The spas have been closed for most of 2020, but you can build your own relaxation routine from your home. Gift your self-care buddy the invitation to seriously indulge.
Here are the supplies that could help with a super-indulgent day.
- Tons of face masks
- A jade roller (Truth be told, we're not sure what they do, but we want one.)
- Mexican hot cocoa
- Seriously soft + cozy slippers
- A weighted blanket
- A really nice robe (like this fleece hooded robe)
- A humidifier that diffuses oil
- Bath bombs
- Meditation apps (try Calm or Headspace)
- Books on breathwork (We've heard really good things about The Way of The Iceman by Wim Hof
- A meditation pillow
- Self-love card deck
- Collagen powder (Collagen is apparently good for everything.)
- An at-home manicure kit
- Personalized skincare from Rory
- Cocokind Organic Facial Cleansing Oil
- A new yoga mat
Pro tip: Queue up that spa music to complete the experience.
A book List For the Self-care bookworm
So, yes, we’re telling you to gift a Google Doc.—but it can be so much more than that!
Put together a small document of self-help or self-care books that you think your friend will love. Then, buy her the first book on the list. Once she receives the book, share the google doc. with her so you can both add to this always-evolving, self-care, virtual book club. Here are some of our favorite self-care books.
For Laughs (because laughter is arguably the best self-care)
- Everything's Trash, But It's Okay by Phoebe Robinson
- Wow, No Thank You by Samantha Irby
- Shit, Actually: The Definitive, 100% Objective Guide to Modern Cinema by Lindy West (yes, the same Lindy West who wrote Shrill.)
- Save Yourself by Cameron Esposito
- Dear Girls by Ali Wong
- Calypso by David Sedaris
For Inspiration (so they can go out and kick 2021 in the booty)
- Untamed by Glennon Doyle
- Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur
- Power Moves by Lauren McGoodwin
Journals, Planners, and Self-Care Guides
- Becoming: A Guided Journal for Discovering Your Voice
- Self-Care Planner by Blessing Manifesting (If you feel like this is on every gift guide we made this year, it's because it is.)
Gifts to help heal Through Food + Drink
On the subject of gifting consumables, Wellflower is a company dedicated to easing period symptoms through nutrition. Created out of the founder’s own experiences with the shame and discomfort around her reproductive health, this company focuses on the connection food has with our hormones.
Not only is the story of this company great, but all of their products are 100% plant-based and fair trade. So get ready to gift their adaptogen blends, seed mixes, or (amazing-looking) coconut butter.
share Mood-Boosting Experience Gifts
This is not a coupon for a free backrub, but it can be!
Gifting your time and/or energy can be one of the most important gifts you can give.
When we get busy, it can be nearly impossible to set aside moments for quality time together. So use the holiday season to set up an immovable (more or less) calendar event. This can look like you “gifting” a dinner at home where you provide the wine and macaroni and cheese, coordinating a clothing swap, or buying a virtual exercise class that you two do together. Here are some ideas
- DIY Wine Tasting: Vinovore showcases the best women winemakers
- Learn a Game Together: We'd suggest chess (mostly because we just finished The Queen's Gambit)
- Spend an Afternoon Puzzling: Travel to Cinque Terre, Italy through 1000 pieces.
Happy gifting!
*We want to let you know that some of these links are affiliate links. That means when you purchase some of the items we listed, Career Contessa could earn a small commission at no cost to you. We only recommend items we know and love. Thank you for supporting the brands that help support Career Contessa.
