Between work events, family obligations, and last-minute shopping, it’s easy to feel totally unhinged as soon as the holidays hit. A packed schedule isn’t exactly the secret to slowing down and getting grounded—but if you’re looking for ways to stay mindful this season (um, please), your gift list is a simple place to start.
What if you committed to shopping with a little more intention this year? What if you made self care the goal for every little package you purchased? If that sounds great in theory, but you’re not sure how to make it a reality (wait, you mean ditching my classic last-minute gift-card move?)—try this.
Start by jotting down the names of people on your shopping list. Before you do anything else, take 30 seconds to practice gratitude for their presence in your life—that is the reason for the season, after all. Then, consider the things in their life that bring them the most joy, and where you think they could use a little boost. With your mindful approach activated (check), your creative juices might start flowing on gifts that feel custom-made for them.
And if you don’t feel suddenly inspired, don’t panic. There’s an intentional gift out there for everyone on your list, and we pulled together a collection of goodies that have self care written all over them. Bonus: They’re all made with soft and sustainable cotton—so you can go ahead and add that to the mindful tab.
Shop Sustainable Self-Care Gifts
Barefoot Dreams Malibu Collection Muslin Cotton Spa Robe — $128.00
This one’s for the homebody in your life, whose definition of self care is an extra-long shower, a multistep skin-care routine, takeout for dinner, and holiday candles burning. The uniform for an evening like that? An ultra-soft muslin cotton robe—pockets included.
Città Marlo Contrast Overnight Bag — $120.00
Self care looks like hunkering down for some—and for others, it’s exploring new places and being surrounded by people (extroverts, we see you). So for the person in your life who never seems to be home, make their comings and goings more seamless *and* sustainable with a cotton carry-all.
Lamali Medium Cotton Notebook — $32.00
For the budding artiste on your list, give the gift of creativity with a cotton-paged notebook. Whether they use it for journaling, drawing, or writing their to-do lists, you’ll spark creativity and encourage them to take five minutes to unplug and unwind.
Found My Animal The Henri Ombre Cotton Rope Dog Leash, Adjustable — $62.00
Walking is a simple self-care practice that helps you connect to your body, quiet your mind, and honor the planet. For dog lovers, adding in a four-legged friend is bonus material—and a colorful, durable cotton leash will help encourage that kind of mindful routine.
Sweet July Skin Terry Spa Headband — $22.00
For the amateur makeup artist in your life, who finds self care in winged eyeliner and a red lip, upgrade their routine with a spa headband. The adjustable velcro closure is designed to frame any face, and the soft terry is machine-washable (in case that eyeliner goes haywire).
Anthropologie Trudy Block Print Apron — $34.00
You probably have an aspiring chef on your list, whose definition of relaxation is chopping veggies or creaming butter and sugar. Whether you can relate to that or not, cooking requires major mindfulness, and a new apron is one way to celebrate it. Who knows? Maybe you’ll get tapped for holiday taste testing— absolutely a self-care practice in itself.
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