With the holidays just around the corner, Choosing Therapy is here to help you find gifts for the people you love in your life. Whether your loved one is experiencing stress or anxiety or you just want to show them you’re thinking of their mental health, there’s something for everyone on this list.
Free Gifts for Mental Health & Emotional Wellness
1. One Free Month of Online Support Groups
Circles offers support groups for those dealing with grief and loss, going through a separation or divorce, and for victims of narcissistic abuse. At no cost, you can give a one month subscription to a friend or family member (an $80 value). The support groups meet weekly by video and are lead by an expert facilitator. Between meetings, members of the group can connect with each other and offer/seek support through the Circles app. Gift One Month Free
Gifts for Anxiety
Suitable gifts for someone with anxiety include weighted blankets, essential oils, art supplies, and journals. All of these gifts have qualities that can help soothe anxious feelings.
2. Weighted Blankets
Weighted blankets are shown to reduce anxiety as the weight of the blanket applies pressure to the body as human contact would (like a hug or a cuddle), which can help one’s body relax. It has also improved sleep, by making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.” –Gabrielle Schreyer-Hoffman, PhD
“Weighted blankets offer the soothing comfort of feeling embraced. They are helpful for restless or anxious sleepers. Do some research on the weight, fabrics, and price before purchasing. This is the best gift I have given my teenage granddaughter! Two top websites for reviews are: CNN Underscore’s review of 11 most popular weighted blankets and Sleep Foundation. Org.” – Emma Jane Watson, M.Ed., MSW, LICSW
3. Essential Oils
“I love using essential oils to help my own feelings of anxiety and gives me the boost of confidence I need. Revive is a great brand that is affordable and high-grade. It’s important to make sure you understand the proper use of essential oils, but these starter kits are designed to help you introduce you or someone else!” – Lena Suarez-Angelino, LCSW
“Items infused with essential oils, especially lavender, are designed to aid in sleep and relaxation which reduces stress and anxiety. These items vary in price and can fit into most budgets. These include lavender essential oil, lavender pillow mist, or lavender body lotion.” – Kerry Heath, LPC-S, NCC, CEDS-S
4. Acts of Service
“Many who struggle with depression and anxiety may find seemingly simple tasks daunting. So offering to come clean, hire a cleaning service, deliver groceries, walk the dog, take the kids out for a movie and ice cream, take the friend out to the movies and get them ice cream, and so on are all very helpful gifts that go beyond the tangible.” – Alex Sullivan, LCSW
5. Art Supplies
“Artistic expression is a beautiful way for those of all ages to express feelings while reducing stress and anxiety. Craft stores are great places to purchase specific art supplies for friends and family. Gift cards are thoughtful gifts to encourage hobbies and talents in those we care about while allowing them to choose the specific tools they desire or need. You are able to spend an amount that is within your holiday spending budget as well.” – Kerry Heath, LPC-S, NCC, CEDS-S
“Creative activities like art (e.g., painting, drawing, sculpting) or coloring can be meditative and calming. They can help to calm the mind and body, and thereby reduce stress.” – Shirley Porter, RP, RSW, CCC
6. Journal
“Journaling can be an effective way to track and manage emotions such as anxiety. Gifting a nice journal (under $20) to a friend, colleague or family member is a thoughtful and inexpensive way to make a positive impact on someone.” – Kerry Heath, LPC-S, NCC, CEDS-S
“Gather a motivational guided journal such as The 5-Minute Gratitude Journal: Give Thanks, Practice Positivity, Find Joy or A Year of Zen: A 52-Week Guided Journal, a collection of fun pens, a mug that suits the personality of your recipient, a collection of tea bags, and a scented candle and lighter, and place everything in an attractive basket to serve as a convenient storage kit. Your loved one will be ready to own their new year.” –Tanya Peterson, NCC
7. Sensory Rings / Anxiety Rings
These excellent anxiety relievers have many names. I typically use the “spikey” ones that are rigid metal. They can be twisted, rolled between the fingers, or worn. They activate the nerve endings and pressure points in the fingers. Most of the time, kids and adults forget they are fidgeting with them and have them. They are small and discreet so that schools will not complain about them. However, the best part is you can buy a 10-pack of spiky rings on amazon (under $10). They do also sell nice/pretty-looking anxiety rings that spin. – Grichell Pelizzari, LMFT at Thriveworks
“Many people find themselves fidgeting with whatever they can find, but a specific fidget ring (about $10) can really help calm anxiety and other mental health challenges.” – Lily Thrope, LCSW, PLLC
Mental Health Books
Books are always a great gift! These books recommended by licensed mental health professionals are bound to help anyone in your life understand and tackle whatever mental health issues they may be dealing with. You can also check out our suggestions for books for depression, books for anxiety, books on mindfulness, and motivational books.
8. Mind Over Mind
“For those in your life who are dealing with relationship issues, depression or anxiety, and like workbooks, Mind Over Mind uses proven Cognitive Behavioral exercises to shift thoughts, feelings, and behaviors into a more helpful and positive direction.” – Shirley Porter, RP, RSW, CCC
9. How to Survive the Loss of a Love
“The book How to Survive the Loss of a Love (for grieving a death or breakup) is my favorite practical and easy to read book that has excellent information and strategies to help someone understand and cope with grief. It can be a source of hope and compassion.” – Shirley Porter, RP, RSW, CCC
10. Let Go Of Emotional Overeating and Love Your Food: A Five Point Plan for Success
“This book is an enjoyment-oriented guide to better health and fitness written by a Columbia University trained licensed psychotherapist who is also a former emotional overeater. Give the gift of healthy habits so pleasurable and practical they’ll last forever! The book has received excellent reviews from Publishers Weekly, BookList, and more.” – Arlene B. Englander, LCSW, MBA
11. Advocacy Books
“Give a book or item that addresses mental health and supports the work of advocates in the field; for example, Your Wound / My Garden by Alok Menon or Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Glover Tawaab.” – Jackie Tassiello MPS, ATR-BC, LCAT, ATCS, Co-founder of Soulutions Therapy
12. Wellness Books
“Books about wellness such as Pause, Breathe Smile: Awakening Mindfulness when Meditation Is Not Enough; Mindfulness for Beginners; and Mindful Eating on the Go: Practices for Eating with Awareness, Wherever You Are can inspire your loved one to live their best year yet in 2021 and beyond.“ – Tanya Peterson, NCC
Subscriptions
Subscription to a service is the gift that keeps on giving! Subscriptions to these mental health sites and apps will keep your loved one feeling mentally well for months after the holiday season has come to a close.
13. Online Support Groups – One Month Free
Circles offers support groups for those dealing with grief and loss, going through a separation or divorce, and for victims of narcissistic abuse. At no cost, you can give a one month subscription to a friend or family member (an $80 value). The support groups meet weekly by video and are lead by an expert facilitator. Between meetings, members of the group can connect with each other and offer/seek support through the Circles app. Gift One Month Free
14. Meditation & Mindfulness Subscription
“Meditation and mindfulness apps can make a good gift. The practice of meditation and mindfulness can help reduce anxiety, increase acceptance of one’s experience physically and emotionally as well as improve one’s physical, mental and emotional health.” –Gabrielle Schreyer-Hoffman, PhD
15. Mindful.org Subscription
“For less than $30, you can give an adult in your life a yearly subscription to the print magazine Mindful as well as full access to Mindful.org with its wealth of articles, meditations, and other resources for a mindful life. Mindful.org has a wealth of information for people of all ages and includes information about parenting and kids, too.” – Tanya Peterson, NCC
16. Subscription to Calm
“I always used the free version of Calm until I was granted a free year for being a healthcare provider. I will definitely be renewing my subscription for myself! Calm offers so much variety from guided meditation, stories, and music. Calm is a great way to show someone that you love that you are there to support them and work on ways to manage anxiety.” – Lena Suarez-Angelino, LCSW
17. Other Wellbeing App Subscriptions
“Apps such as Calm, Happify, Headspace, and Insight Timer provide access to seemingly endless libraries of meditations, courses, music, and more to provide inspiration for embracing the day and sleeping well during the night. These apps have tracks and programs for all ages, including kids. Subscription prices vary, and most offer options to pay monthly, often around $15 per month, or yearly, often around $100 per year paid upfront.” –Tanya Peterson, NCC
18. Subscription to an Online Fitness Program
“Encourage your loved one to move their body and get some endorphins with a subscription to a home fitness program. While some programs can be quite expensive, options like Beachbody, FitFusion, Yoga Download, Nike Training Club, and Crunch Live are all less than $150 for a year.” – Benjamin Troy, MD
19. Subscription for Music Lessons
“One of the best mental health gifts you can give is a package of music lessons. Giving yourself, your spouse, or your friend a gift of five or six music or voice lessons can allow them to have a positive experience and one that helps them feel confident about themselves while learning something new. Working with a music teacher can provide them a creative and expressive space to release negative moods and feel present. Music lessons might not be seen as a traditional mental health gift, but singing, playing piano, or playing cello all improve mental health and release serotonin in your brain almost immediately.
Music allows you to use a different part of your brain. Singing, for instance, immediately calms your vagus nerve, releases calming hormones into your bloodstream, and lowers anxiety. Giving six voice lessons can be a great way to help your friend or your partner improve their mental health by creating a new routine, having purpose in life, and having a responsibility so to speak to attend the lesson. They can build a positive relationship with her music teacher and have a positive role model to look up to.” – Katie Ziskind, LMFT, owner of Wisdom Within Counselling
20. Meal Box Subscriptions
“Gift subscription to meal delivery services such as HelloFresh, Blue Apron, etc. Often when struggling with mental health, appetite and taking care of self goes out the window.” – Laura Rippeon, LCSW
21. Subscription to Spotify, Apple Music, Etc.
“Music can boost your mood and reduce stress. Most audio streaming services also include podcasts, and there are many mental health podcasts that can be helpful for learning more or getting encouragement.” – Melissa Boudin, PsyD
Gift Cards
When you’re not sure what gift might be the perfect fit, gift cards are always a safe option. Personalizing the gift card to specifically help someone relax and relieve stress makes it even better.
22. Gift Card for a Massage
“The gift of massage and self-care is a great way to assist a loved one dealing with anxiety while giving them a start with some pampering at the holidays. Massage helps to alleviate muscle tension and aides in relaxation. Whether you combine a massage gift card with a self-care basket – including items like a scented eye mask (about $20) or heating pad (under $15) – or choose just one of these thoughtful gifts, they are sure to help relax your friend or family member.” –Kerry Heath, LPC-S, NCC, CEDS-S
23. Gift Card for a Sporting Goods Store
“Exercise is a great stress reliever and wonderful way to aid in sleep. A gift card to a sporting goods store is a thoughtful way to let the man or woman in your life pick out that new pair of hiking boots they’ve had their eyes on or pick up equipment for a new hobby they want to start in the new year. Gifts cards are a fabulous way to show someone you are thinking of them while fitting a gift into any budget.” – Kerry Heath, LPC-S, NCC, CEDS-S
Experiences
Maybe someone you love has expressed that they don’t want any material objects. They might feel overwhelmed or be feeling the need to declutter. In this case, experiences can be a great option.
24. A Mental-Health-Based Retreat
“There are many retreats that offer self-care services including yoga, mindfulness, healthy eating, massage, psychedelic assisted psychotherapy, and more. You can even find retreats near you on Airbnb.” – Avigail Lev, PsyD
25. Concert Tickets or Another Event That Interests Them
“Focusing on experiences versus trinkets is the way to go. Schedule a concert or a social event if you know that they’d love to get out more and if that helps them keep their spirits and mental health uplifted.” – Allison Chawla, Licensed Clinical Psychotherapist & certified life coach
Gifts for Stress
Things like self-massagers, candles, kinetic sand, and zen gardens are great gifts that will help someone combat their stress in a practical way.
26. Healing Stone Starter Set
“Stone sets like this one (about $30) can be a really helpful tool for managing stress and emotions. I like that they are colorful and tangible. There is a ton to learn about stone healing.” – Lily Thrope, LCSW, PLLC
27. Self-Massagers
“Self-massagers have come a long way in recent years and are the perfect gift idea to help friends and family de-stress. At a time where it may not be safe to go to the spa, bring the relaxation home. If your gift recipient is athletic, body knowledgeable and has some deep aches and pains to address, the high-end Hypervolt (under $200) is the way to go. This top of the line massage tool targets connective tissue through powerful vibration, reducing muscle stiffness and improving circulation.
A more affordable alternative is the Zyllion massager (under $100), which provides moderate kneading of the neck and upper back, where many of us carry our stress. With rolling massage nodes, built in heat and adjustable intensity, this basic massager is easy for any adult to operate and soothe sore muscles.
Non-mechanical massagers can even make great stocking stuffers for kids or adults, with an USAGA head scratcher/massager (under $10) or a Foot Massage Roller (about $20).” – Shirley Porter, RP, RSW, CCC
28. Stress Balls
Stress balls (under $15) make a great stocking stuffer or an inexpensive gift for a colleague, friend or family member. They are good for relieving stress and anxiety in an easy to use manner for people of all ages. They release muscle tension, distract from stressful or anxious thoughts, and enhance focus and concentration in some people.” –Kerry Heath, LPC-S, NCC, CEDS-S
29. Mindfulness Cards
“You could buy a deck of mindfulness cards like these (under $15), or make some yourself! Handcrafted decks can be especially meaningful due to the personal connection.” – Dr. Carla Marie Manly, Clinical Psychologist
30. Kinetic Sand & Sand Tray
“Playing with sand is a great mindfulness activity that engages the sense of touch and gives someone something to focus on other than stressful thoughts or situations—and it’s as great for adults as it is for kids. This Zen Box for Adults (under $30) is one of many great choices available for adults, and The One and Only! Kinetic Sand (under $20) is a fun option for kids.” – Tanya Peterson, NCC
31. Adult Coloring Book
“Coloring is a great way to release energy and help people calm down. Often in our chaotic, social media obsessed culture it’s hard to find times to just slow down and relax, but coloring can create that space. This mindfulness coloring book (about $10) would be a great option.” – Lily Thrope, LCSW, PLLC
32. Calm Strips
“Calm Strips (under $25) is a newer company that has been such a fun little addition to my therapy toolbox! I’ve given them to some of my clients that experience anxiety, as well as my own personal use! They come in all different patterns – so something great for everyone!” –Lena Suarez-Angelino, LCSW
33. Sound Machines
“Sound machines are a great gift for those who have disrupted sleep due to anxiety. They can calm and relax while assisting with sleep. There are many varieties on the market. HoMedicas white noise machine (under $20) is a good model at a reasonable price point.”-Kerry Heath, LPC-S, NCC, CEDS-S
34. Zen Garden
Using a zen garden (about $20) with people that have anxiety can be a great way to ease symptoms. I often feel that mindless manipulation of the sand can be very calming and allows you to focus on something other than your anxiety. – Lena Suarez-Angelino, LCSW
Self-Care Gifts
Let’s face it, it’s been a tough year. Treat your loved one to some goodies that will help them engage in some time to themselves to rest and recharge.
35. Self-Care Basket
“When it comes to reducing stress and anxiety, self-care is crucial. A thoughtfully designed self-care basket is sure to be appreciated by all on your holiday gift list. These can be given singularly or in conjunction with an appropriate gift card as well.” – Kerry Heath, LPC-S, NCC, CEDS-S
Include items like:
36. Stress-Relief Teas
“There is something so comforting about tea! You can cozy up with your favorite mug, a blanket and a good ‘ol cup of tea! Yogi stress-relieving teas (under $30) come in a variety of flavors, such as: Calming, Comforting Chamomile, Relaxed Mind, Kava Stress Relief, and Honey Lavender Stress Relief. This would be a great gift basket idea, with a combination of a mug and if you or your gift-receiver prefers loose teas, a tea infuser is a great add-on!” –Lena Suarez-Angelino, LCSW
37. Heating Pad
“Most people hold tension in their necks and shoulders, so a soothing heating pad can make a remarkable difference in how they feel overall. There are many choices that have moist or dry heat, and some that add massage. Sunbeam’s Heating Pad (about $50) is a good place to start.” – Emma Jane Watson, M.Ed., MSW, LICSW
For Further Reading
