When you think about the holiday season, what comes to mind?
Is it building snowmen with your kids in the front yard? Is it curling up by the fire with a hot mug of chocolate cocoa? Or is it waking up on Christmas morning (or whatever day you celebrate) to open gifts with your family or friends?
The humble act of gift giving is synonymous with the holiday season. But it is not always easy to buy a gift or gifts for everyone on your list. They could tell you what they want, but what’s the fun in that?
Do you have a health enthusiast on your holiday shopping list? Here are some great ideas to fulfill your health enthusiast’s holiday wish list.
In the Kitchen
I know people who go through multiple blenders before finally deciding to get a Vitamix Total Nutrition Center. This is the ultimate heavy-duty blender! It is perfect to make smoothies after a workout, make almond milk, or even pesto. It will cost you anywhere between $500-$1,000, but know that this will be the only blender your health enthusiast will ever need, and there’s a 15-year warranty on most products.
Other useful kitchen appliances for the health enthusiast’s holiday wish list could include a crockpot for slow cooking or a food processor for handy shopping. Also consider gifting mason jars, which are great for storing food creations, fermenting foods, and a lot more.
Exercise
Does your health enthusiast really enjoy yoga or talk about trying yoga? There are many types of yoga studios based on a health lover’s goals and desires, including traditional hatha yoga for the more mindful, and hot yoga for those who love to sweat. Yoga studios usually have introductory special prices for first-time students, which makes this the perfect gift for your health enthusiast’s wish list.
Three-month trial gym memberships are also a good way to help get people back into the gym. Eco-friendly and BPA-free water bottles are also a great companion during yoga or at the gym. Suggested brands include Klean Kanteen, Lifefactory, or Santevia.
Books
Has your health enthusiast tried every weight loss diet on the market with no results? Eliminating wheat from the diet may be the solution. Wheat Belly by William Davis, M.D., may be the perfect book for that person who loves to learn about health and wellness. The book claims to help you lose 20, 30, or 50 pounds in the first few months of eliminating wheat products from your diet. It’s a thought-provoking and compelling read that should definitely be on your health enthusiast’s holiday wish list.
Fats that Heal, Fats that Kill by Udo Erasmus is another great book for those who want to go about weight loss the right way. The author tells you which fats can help reverse conditions such as obesity, arthritis, skin conditions, certain types of mental illness, and other health issues.
For the Living Room
Himalayan salt lamps are perfect gifts for everyone, but will especially be appreciated by the health and wellness lover on your holiday wish list. A Himalyan salt lamp helps calm the air with its multi-colored salt crystals. It’s not just a pretty lamp. It also helps neutralize the “electro-smog” in the home’s air, which reduces irritants and allergens in your environment.
Just as long as the entire household can tolerate the scent, incense (also known as native smudge) is a great gift to help calm the environment, or to use for meditations. Incense comes in many scents and shapes (sticks, cones, or bundles) as well.
Holiday Healing
Are you wondering what would be a good gift for your friend with eczema? Manuka honey should definitely be included on their holiday wish list. This honey can be used topically for scrapes, cuts, skin infections, or burns, but you can also eat it as well. Consuming this honey helps with digestive health, immunity, skin ailments, and low energy—all symptoms that flare up around the holidays.
Another great option for your health enthusiast’s holiday wish list for natural healing is thieves oil blend. Named after thieves who used rosemary, cloves, and other aromatics for protection while robbing plague victims, thieves oil blend can help protect against airborne bacteria.
Whether it is with a kitchen gadget, a new book, or classes or memberships for an exercise routine, there are many options to support the health enthusiast on your holiday wish list.
Sources:
Wellness Mama, Katie, “Healthy Christmas Gift Ideas,” Wellness Mama web site; http://wellnessmama.com/12988/top-healthy-christmas-gift-ideas/.
“Thieves Oil Product Line,” Thieves web site; http://www.thieves-oil.com/.
“Vitamix Total Nutrition Centre,” Costco Wholesale; http://www.costco.ca/Vitamix-Total-Nutrition-Centre.product.100019807.html.
“4 reasons to eat Manuka honey,” Zest web site, Jan. 25, 2013; http://www.zest.co.uk/nutrition/4-reasons-to-eat-manuka-honey/5033.html.
Mercola, J., “Now You Can Take Advantage of Even More Glowing Benefits from Himalayan Salt,” Mercola.com web site; http://products.mercola.com/himalayan-salt/himalayan-salt-lamps.htm.
Niedringhaus, A., et al, “10 Cool Water Bottles,” RealSimple.com web site; http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/tools-products/reusable-water-bottles-00000000043283/index.html.