Last Minute Wellness Gifts

I do believe it’s crunch time! With Christmas less than a week away panic has set in and we could all probably use some more gift ideas. While some of you are getting to the bottom of your shopping lists, others of us (including me!) are just now starting to buy. I’m trying to stay calm, but it’s hard when you want to give thoughtful, and hopefully health and eco-conscious gifts and you’ve only got a few days to do it! Deep breaths. But seriously there are still some fantastic wellness gifts out there that will work for just about anyone on your list.

Here are my picks for awesome wellness gifts starting with the least expensive:

Meditation Music: Give the gift of relaxation! Whether the person meditates or not, a CD full of calming nature sounds and gongs is enough to help anyone fall asleep or just relax and calm the mind after a long day. Try anything from “Music For Deep Meditation.” This group has several highly rated albums on iTunes for $9.99. Download it, burn a copy and write a sweet message on the CD.

Fingerless Knit Gloves: A fun and fashionable accessory that will keep those hands nice and toasty. I bought two pair this year and will never buy a full-fingered glove again. I love em!Buy this colorful pair at Urban Outfitters for a sale price of $10 bucks.

Cooling Eye Mask: Any woman would adore an eye mask. This baby works wonders for all those puffy eye mornings, headaches and strained eyes. I purchased one about a month ago and it has become the best tool in my pursuit for relaxation. Perfect for those Zen moments of quieting the mind. Bucky makes this spa mask filled with flax and scented with lavender for $17.95.

Tea Set: There’s nothing like a warm cup of tea to get your morning going. If you’ve got a tea lover to buy for consider a cute Japanese inspired tea set with some organic fair-trade loose leaf tea. Beyond the high antioxidant content in tea, a steaming cup of certain types, like chamomile, will have you relaxed in no time. I love this mint green ceramic set from Wild Leaf Tea Company. Buy it on Amazon.com for $29.99.

Handheld Massager: Who doesn’t love massages? Instead of spending hundreds of dollars on a 1-hour massage from a luxury spa, give a quality handheld massager that will last for years. I like this Handheld Percussion Massager from Sharper Image because it has tons of settings, a heat option and adjustable knobs so you can target just the right spot. Any athlete on your list will thank you. Pick one up for $80.

Memory Foam Mattress Topper: Adding a foam topper to any mattress is an inexpensive way to create a supportive, and simply heavenly bed. Touted as the best way to finally get a restful night sleep, memory foam cushions the joints and contours just the way it’s advertised (I’ve never slept better!). A foam mattress is obviously fabulous and ideal, but comes with a hefty price. With a topper you’ll get the benefits of the foam support without forking over thousands of dollars. Overstock.com sells several brands and thicknesses. The thicker the better. Check out the Serta 4″ thick topper for $180, down from $550!

I hope these ideas have sparked your imagination and maybe some credit card swiping. There is no better feeling than knowing your gift will be well used and appreciated. Happy shopping and wish me luck!