Wellness Inspired Gift Guide 2020

I’m not sure where the time has gone, but the holiday season is officially among us! And, if you’re anything like me, the “what the heck should I get for my mom/dad/sister/husband” feelings are slowly creeping up.

While some of my loved ones are more difficult to shop for, I had a ton of fun buying fitness / wellness inspired gifts for people on my list (while sticking to my budget)!

Need some inspiration? Check out what made my list of favorites, across 4 categories, this holiday season.

1. Journaling Bible | 2. After the Rain | 3. Affirmation Cards | 4. Gratitude Journal | 5. Adult Coloring Book | 6. Foam Roller | 7. Sports Bra | 8. Running Sneakers | 9. Running Fanny Pack | 10. Resistance Bands | 11. Vegan Cookbook | 12. Collagen Powder | 13. Nut Milk Bag | 14. Gallon Water Bottle | 15. Hydration Supplement | 16. Sunlight Lamp | 17. Candle | 18. Herbal Tea | 19. Oil Diffuser | 20. Low Maintenance Plant

Quiet Time

1. Journaling Bible
   The perfect gift for someone looking to grow in their faith and in their knowledge of the scripture. This journaling Bible is designed to be written in, highlighted, and marked up–a great way to make the Living Word more accessible and approachable. 
   
   
2. After the Rain
   This year, so many people–myself included–have struggled to make room for self love and courage in the midst of loss, grief, anxiety. This newly released book is an incredible collection of pieces chronicling Alex Elle’s  journey from self-doubt to self-love. I gifted myself this book a few weeks ago and I love it!
   
   
3. Affirmation Cards
   These Christ-centered affirmation cards are the perfect companions for Bible study, prayer time, and general mid-day encouragement! I love these affirmations because they’re vibrant, accessible reminders of the greatness and richness of God. The printed versions of the cards can serve as great around-the-house reminders, while the digital versions can be a convenient resource on your phone.
   
   
4. Gratitude Journal
   This simple, straight to the point journal is an incredible tool for developing a daily habit of gratitude and thanksgiving. It features a simple “Today I’m grateful for…” prompt that allows for easy cataloging of all there is to be grateful for. This season, I’m grabbing my own copy as a companion to my written prayers. What’s best? It’s a perfect, “fits in my purse” size!
   
   
5. Adult Coloring Book
   This coloring book, titled “The Psalms in Color,” is a quiet time resource that brings God to the forefront of an otherwise mindless activity. Adult coloring books have sprung up on lists of mindful, anxiety reducing activities pretty often in recent years and this one is right up my ally. Grab a set of colored pencils and send this bad boy to a friend!

Fitness

6. Foam Roller
   Without a doubt, I have a love-hate relationship with my foam roller. Hate because I’m hardly ever motivated to massage already-sore muscles (tbh, it’s uncomfortable). But I love the tension relief and increased flexibility this roller gives my muscles. This tool is a great gift for anyone who’d appreciate an added degree of recovery for their workout regiment this season. 
   
   
7. Sports Bra
   The Girlfriend Collective has been one of my favorite sources of cute, ethically sourced activewear since they gave away free leggings back in 2016. And this bra, the Paloma, is one of my favorites! It offers high support and comes in a ton of beautiful colors, making it a great option for running, yoga, and cross-training.
   
   
8. Running Sneakers
   I’ve had an on-again, off-again running routine for years now. And at the start of year, I set a goal to run a half marathon. While it’s unlikely I’ll achieve that goal, investing in comfortable (and cute) running shoes has given me renewed energy and motivation toward my goal. I got this pair for myself at a local nike outlet and have loved wearing them!
   
   
9. Running Fanny Pack
   Since I purchased this fanny pack a few years ago, I’ve recommended it to at least a dozen people! This lightweight fanny can fit my phone, keys, ID, and chapstick, making it the perfect utility pack for all my activity (dog walking included). Also, while I’m now a member of #TeamAirPods, I really appreciate the headphone hole!
   
   
10. Resistance Bands
    I’ve been using resistance bands in my fitness regimens for a few years now and I am a huge fan! Bands are inexpensive and versatile tools that can make dozens of exercises and modifications accessible. And did I mention that they’re super affordable?! Resistance bands are a great, no-gym-no-prob option for anyone that works out at home.

Nutrition

11. Vegan Cookbook
    I’ve been following Jenne Claiborne on Instagram for years now, but I didn’t get my hands on her cookbook until I added it to our wedding registry. And y’all, it’s a must-read if you ask me! While I’m far from a “vegan,” my household is absolutely vegan friendly and these recipes do just the trick. The sweet potato hummus, for instance, is an absolute go to!
    
    
12. Collagen Powder
    If you’ve seen my Instagram stories over the years, you know I am a huge fan of Vital Protein’s collagen powder. In a pre-COVID world, when I travelled and frequently worked on the go, I always carried a few travel packs in my purse.
    
    
13. Nut Milk Bag
    Gift shopping for a dairy-free queen (or king) who cares about her carbon footprint? Frankly, these nut milk bags are a great addition to any kitchen, as they make so many on-the-shelf products accessible at home. If the obvious use wasn’t enough to get you, I’ve used nut bags to strain a ton of things, including: homemade flaxseed gel, simple syrup mixtures, and fruit / vegetable juices. 
    
    
14. Gallon Water Bottle
    This addition to the list is probably super obvious, but I’m including it anyway. In this season of working from home and mostly-stationary days, I’ve absolutely struggled to meet my water intake goals. And by 2pm each day, I have no idea how much water I’ve actually drank and where I am in relation to my goal. This bottle is a tool that helps me keep my eyes on the prize!
    
    
15. Hydration Supplement
    I haven’t been using this product for very long, but I’ve really enjoyed it so far! As I started increasing the frequency and intensity of my workouts, I’ve used Liquid IV as a post-workout boost. It’s taste isn’t overpowering (I have the passion fruit flavor) and it feels like a small, yet satisfying, “you did that” treat.
    
    

For the Home

16. Sunlight Lamp
    While I’ve never received a clinic diagnosis of depression / seasonal depression, I know I’m not alone when I say that the winter months bring on a noticeable mood change for me. I added this light therapy lamp to my cart to improve my mood and help with my post-daylight savings morning routine. It’s compact, affordable, and has great reviews!
    
    
17. Candle
    Without a doubt, we are a candle household–there is always one burning in our apartment. After an in depth internet search for a  black-owned candle company and a browse of Blk Sunflower’s website, I was excited to place an order for the Pillow Talk scent. Affordable, great reviews, and full of personality.
    
    
18. Herbal Tea
    I’m a big tea drinker and I’m a huge fan of this Harney & Son’s African Autumn blend. I love brewing a cup of this caffeine-free tea as an after dinner, digestion aiding treat. It’s also my choice companion for a lazy, book-in-hand day.
    
    
19. Oil Diffuser
    I bought this diffuser earlier in the year to finally see what the essential oil hype was about. And while I don’t use essential oils for any “medicinal” purposes, I’m a sucker for a subtle smell of lavender or frankincense in my home. Note: if you’re a cat lover, be cautious! Some essential oils can be poisonous for your feline friends.
    
    
20. Low Maintenance Plant
    This year, I’ve added a number of live plants to my home and, y’all, #plantmom life is worth all the hype! Indoor plants are known to improve your mood, decrease stress, purify the air, and make your home look really great! I’m balancing my love of plants and my busy schedule by stocking up on low maintenance, hard to kill plants like this Zeylanica. Note: another pet warning exists here. Some plants can be dangerous if ingested by your pet.

I hope you enjoyed this year’s holiday gift ideas! Bookmark this page to refer back to as you get your holiday shopping done this year.

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