How you can level up on your Christmas gift-giving to spread wellness, performance and sustainability
Throughout the years, my family and friends have regularly gifted me sweet treats for birthdays and Christmas. While I am grateful to be thought of, as my focus on my long-term healthspan, lifespan and quality of performance keeps increasing, I have found that I no longer get any joy from these gifts.
There are three reasons for this:
- Given my fatso (FTO) gene, I have a tendency to pig out on sweets rather than being able to enjoy just one at a time (I’m the person who will eat the whole chocolate box in one sitting).
- As I age, my genetic risk of developing type 2 diabetes becomes more significant. This increases my risk of dementia, cancer and cardiovascular disease significantly.
- Feeling steadily energised, strong and clear-headed has become my favourite feeling in the world and no amount of short-lived, Maltesers-induced endorphins can beat it.
My husband has paused the sweet and sugary gift giving and instead, we now share experiences together. For me, it is a journey of understanding what really matters to me. As I reach 50, the most important thing to me is living an unstoppable life with my husband and kids into my 90s.
If you, like me, are now focused on helping yourself and the significant people in your life live longer and live better, you may want to look through this list of 16 gifts to add to their wellness bucket.
16 wellness gifts that keep on giving this holiday season
Each year, approximately 1 in 10 Australians throw away their Christmas presents. This means that all these unwanted gifts end up in our landfill. That’s why I’ve compiled a list of presents that are good for you, good for them and good for the planet.
1. Retreat Yourself Box
Retreat Yourself offers a selection of self-care boxes that you can purchase once off or join a subscription to receive a box every 3 months. The best part – it isn’t just a box. It is an entire experience of things that your special someone can try, listen to, write about and meditate with.
2. New Gaia – Meditation Bundle (For Her)
If you have ever meditated before (I’m sure you all have), you understand just how important it is to feel comfortable and relaxed. This New Gaia – Meditation Bundle from Calm Buddhi is the perfect gift for someone who is ready to take their meditation experience to a new level.
3. Deep Sea Blue Meditation Bundle (For Him)
Similar to the above, the Deep Sea Blue Meditation Bundle seems better suited to the men in your life who could benefit from a relaxing place to meditate and unwind.
4. Headspace Subscription
I love this present idea. A Headspace Subscription is such a thoughtful gift on its own or it can be paired seamlessly with really, any other present. Through a subscription, users have access to guided meditations, exercises and music to help champion the mindfulness life.
5. Dream Eye Masks
Soft, silky and vegan. The Summer Salt Body Dream Eye Masks are a luxurious choice to give the gift of a restful night’s sleep. The best part? No silkworms were harmed in the making of the masks and yet, they feel just like real silk.
6. Wellness Hamper
A luxurious wellness hamper always ticks the boxes. However, these wellness hampers from Hampers With Bite go that extra mile and donate a meal to charity with every purchase. So far, they have donated to various charities including giving over 20,000 meals to underprivileged children in West Malaysia through a partnership with Dignity For Children.
7. DNA Discovery Program
While I’m affiliated with this one, I truly know this to be a fantastic gift to give as you are genuinely setting someone up for their best life. My DNA Discovery program takes the guesswork out of wellbeing and performance through invaluable information on one’s inner genetic makeup. This is a unique gift in a sense, that gives a personalised high-performance plan full of vitality, energy and success.
8. Restore Reading Light, Sound Machine & Sunrise Alarm Clock
This is not your usual alarm clock – a startled wake-up is a thing of the past. The Hatch, Restore Reading Light, Sound Machine & Sunrise Alarm Clock, has everything you need in one easy device. A gift that gives back daily through a refreshing wake-up as well as ensuring circadian rhythms are optimised.
9. Mini USB Humidifier
The SmartDevil Mini USB Humidifier is the perfect size so one can enjoy all its benefits wherever they go. With this humidifier, you can take it to the office, place it on your coffee table when unwinding or even on your bedside table to utilise its night light function.
10. Shiatsu Neck and Shoulder Massager
Having the option of a massage whenever the feeling strikes is a luxury and with this Shiatsu Neck and Shoulder Massager, it’s reality. The massager is easy to wear meaning that the lucky recipient can use it at their desk, while meditating and even cooking.
11. 1L Motivational Water Bottle
This Motivational Water Bottle is designed to keep you hydrated every day with easy to follow time markers. I know how hard it can be to remember to drink water! I love that the bottle is leak-proof, BPA free and wide enough so you can add ice or fruits.
12. Offset Carbon Emissions
Greenfleet is an organisation that plants native trees in order to help replenish Australian native forests. Through your donation, they can plant trees to help remove carbon from the atmosphere and create a habitat for endangered Australian wildlife. Greenfleet sums it up so perfectly – give a gift that will make a difference rather than another pair of socks that will most likely end up in landfill.
13. Copper Tongue Cleaner
A common practice in Ayurveda, cleaning your tongue daily is actually very important for your overall health. By cleaning your tongue, you are improving your sense of taste and removing odour-causing bacteria. I love this tongue cleaner from Sreejith Nair who is a local creator. The Abbotsford Convent in Melbourne supports so many local artists and community practitioners.
14. The Reconnected Retreat
A gift perfect for a special woman in your life. The impact that the retreat had this year was truly indescribable. This intimate event for women allows them the time, space and self-compassion to reconnect, recharge and regain their energy and vitality. The Reconnected Retreat will be running again on Sunday 26 March 2023. Early bird pricing is now available for a limited time.
15. Banksia Aroma Pods
Hand-made Banksia Aroma Pods showcase a beautiful and iconic Australian plant that will make you forget all about chemical fragrance sticks. While soaking up essential oils to keep the house smelling fresh for weeks, the pods are also hand-turned, chiselled and polished (with natural canola oil) by a family-owned business on the Gold Coast. A fantastic option this Christmas.
16. Urban Greens Mini Garden Sunflower Sprouts
Growing your own mini sprout garden is a fun and ethical gift idea. The Urban Greens Mini Garden Sunflower Sprouts is a sustainable gift that comes fully equipped with a windowsill box (including a bamboo lid and drip tray), sunflower seeds and organic soil. You can’t beat cooking using home-grown, fresh ingredients. The perfect present for the budding chef in your life.
When it comes to choosing gifts this year, maybe be mindful of not only what makes that person happy, but what your wish is for them.