These Are the Best Gifts for True Self-Care

Please, no more fuzzy socks.

This holiday season, give the gift of relaxation, but do not just pick up some lotion for someone and call it a day. Not to be ungrateful, but is there anything more boring than receiving another gift basket with a lotion and a loofah in it? There really isn’t. There are better ways to give relaxing, self-care-focused gifts that are actually useful and cool. Please consider the following. 

The best gifts for skincare

In the parlance of social media, “self care” and “skincare” are nearly the same thing a lot of the time. The good news is there are all kinds of little tools and doodads that can be used for skincare and these make superb gifts.

• Depuffing gifts are nice stocking stuffers and they’re not very pricey. Try these globes that you freeze and rub on your face ($9.99) or a gua sha tool ($5.56), both of which are very popular on social media. 

• The NuFace MINI+ ($187.50) remains a covetable, popular present. It uses microcurrents to smooth and lift the skin, plus it's fun and high-tech. 

• Getting someone actual chemical skincare products is difficult, since you might imply you see some kind of flaw in their face they should fix. Avoid this drama with a variety pack of sheet masks, like the Sephora Collection Holy Sheet Mask set ($50). 

• Sheet masks are simple to use, but you know what’s simpler? Under-eye patches. Get 30 pairs for $18 at Ulta. Everyone loves these and it’s a slam-dunk gift.

• A facial ice pack ($10.99) is a cool gift just because it’s unique and reusable. Use it cold for depuffing or warm for relaxation and headache relief. 

The best gifts for relaxing

When it’s time to relax, you need no less than four products to make it perfect. These are just the rules. We live in a very materialistic society and unwinding from the capitalist grind often paradoxically requires… stuff. 

• Shower steamers are cool because they serve no purpose other than to relax you. They’re like bath bombs, but they release smells in the shower. It’s pretty straightforward and they make a nice stocking stuffer. You can get seven for $9.99 at Target. 

• Getting a random candle from that gimmicky aisle at the checkout of TJMaxx only shows you put no thought into your gift. But a trendy candle? That’s different. Homesick candles ($28.50 and up) are big, as are birthdate candles ($49.99) and the ever-popular Maison Margiela Replica candles. Win the holidays outright with a Diptyque candle ($42 or $74, depending on size). 

• Everyone loves the Comfy ($44.98), a truly gigantic oversized sweatshirt made of blanket material that is ideal for shuffling around the house in a relaxed daze.

• One tried-and-true option here is a massage gun, but you should go big or go home: Homedics has a heated one available for $53.99.