Resilience Gift Guide 2024

The holiday season is upon us! It is a time of year to connect with the people you love, celebrate the year’s accomplishments, and maybe pick up a gift or two for the special people in your life.

If you are trying to figure out what to get that special someone, I’ve got your back. The perfect gift isn’t about price tags or flashy packaging; it’s about thoughtfulness.

And don’t forget to spread a little holiday cheer your way. Giving to yourself is a form of self-care. A new journal, a cozy blanket, or even just a day off can recharge your energy and refill your emotional tank. You cannot give what you do not have.

This season, let’s embrace giving and receiving as acts of connection, kindness, and care.

Here are a few ideas for gifts that keep on giving:

A Mindfulness Breathing Necklace: More than just jewelry, the mindfulness breathing necklace helps you slow down and focus on your breath. By gently exhaling through the pendant, you extend your breath and encourage relaxation, easing stress and promoting mindfulness anytime, anywhere. Whether you’re managing a hectic day or grounding yourself during meditation, this necklace combines function and fashion to keep you centered.

Body Restore Shower Steamers: These aromatherapy shower steamers create a spa-like experience that reduces stress and increases joy. Ideal for a calming reset after a long day, they transform a simple shower into a powerful tool for self-care and resilience.

Mindsight ‘Breathing Buddha’ Guided Visual Meditation Tool: The Breathing Buddha guides you through mindful breathing exercises, helping you reduce anxiety and build focus. This visual tool encourages a regular mindfulness practice, fostering resilience and mental clarity by grounding you in the present moment. There’s a pebble and a sloth option, but I think he’s adorable.

“Dig It” Succulent Trio:Caring for these low-maintenance plants can offer a peaceful daily ritual, fostering mindfulness and reducing stress. Bringing a touch of nature indoors, these succulents can serve as a gentle reminder to nurture yourself and your surroundings.

Theralite Aura Bright Light Therapy Lamp: This light therapy lamp combats seasonal affective disorder and boosts mood, helping you feel more energized and positive. Especially useful during the darker winter months, it promotes mental well-being by providing much-needed exposure to light.

Dammit Doll:The Dammit Doll is a humorous stress-relief tool designed to help you release tension in a healthy way. Providing a physical outlet for frustration encourages resilience and reminds you not to take life’s challenges too seriously. Love this little guy.

Not Sure Who Needs To Hear This, But… Book by We The Urban: This book offers daily affirmations and reminders for self-care, helping you stay grounded and inspired. It’s a thoughtful companion for moments when you need to refocus, refresh, and build resilience.

Sculpd Canvas Painting Kit: Art therapy has proven mental health benefits, and this kit allows you to channel creativity as a form of self-care. Engaging in painting encourages mindfulness, reduces stress, and fosters emotional resilience through creative expression.

Custom Personalized Photo Pet Face Socks: Any pet lover would love these fun, customized socks that let you walk around with your four-legged friend all day. They bring a light-hearted reminder to embrace small moments of happiness, boosting your resilience with humor and affection. I’m going to order a pair for each “pet” on the ranch!

If the Whole World Could Know You: I was given this book as a gift, and it has been on my table ever since. It’s a constant reminder that you are loved and appreciated. A great book of friendship, gratitude, and love for the people in your life that matter most.

Franklin Sports Polymer Pickleball Paddle and Ball Set: Physical activity is essential for physical and mental resilience, and pickleball offers an accessible and enjoyable way to stay active. This set is perfect for solo practice or social play, enhancing fitness, stress relief, and resilience.

KODAK Step Instant Smartphone Photo Printer: It’s time to capture and savor those delicious moments! This compact printer makes it easy to remember joyful moments. Print them and put them on your desk or a delicious moments gratitude board. A simple corkboard goes great with this.

A weighted blanket to soothe anxiety: Good sleep is the greatest gift of all. Weighted blankets help alleviate anxiety and improve sleep quality by providing gentle, calming pressure, which releases serotonin and melatonin. The Sleep Foundation found that weighted blankets are effective for people with anxiety and insomnia, providing a soothing sense of comfort.

A fitness tracker: A fitness tracker encourages physical activity by providing data on steps, sleep, heart rate, and overall fitness progress. It motivates you to stay active and prioritize your health. Research shows that regular physical activity enhances physical and mental well-being, and trackers help make these benefits measurable.

Puzzles with a sense of humor: These lighthearted puzzles provide a fun, relaxing way to exercise your brain while alleviating stress. Perfect for moments of downtime, they encourage problem-solving and laughter, which contribute to greater well-being.

A personalized ornament: Personalized ornaments capture cherished memories, offering a visual reminder of what matters most to you. Displaying these ornaments brings joy and nurtures gratitude, which are important for strengthening emotional resilience.

A helpful reminder bracelet: This bracelet is an everyday reminder of your inner strength and resilience. It’s a small but powerful gesture to remind yourself that you’ve got this and you are a beautiful badass.

Humorous adult coloring book: ​​Coloring has therapeutic benefits, and this humorous book adds a dose of laughter to the experience. It’s a fun way to de-stress, improve focus, and practice mindfulness.

Gratitude Jar: Filling a gratitude jar with daily notes helps you focus on the positive, training your brain to look for what’s right instead of wrong. Writing down a moment triggers happy hormones, and revisiting it later increases them even more. A great reminder of the good in your life, it’s a powerful tool in your resilience-building arsenal.

The Gift of Resilience: If you and your loved ones could use a boost of laughter and inspiration, I’d love to help. My books make great gifts (and a portion goes to NAMI), my newsletter is free, and check out our brand-new resilience-building tool kit, a comprehensive guide to help you navigate life’s challenges with confidence.

In the end, remember that the holidays are about more than just gifts – love, connection, and making memories can outlast any trend or gadget. That said, if a Dammit Doll or pet-face socks can sprinkle a little extra joy (or save a little sanity), I say go for it.  Just don’t forget to gift yourself some peace and gratitude along the way. Happy gifting!