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Whether you're shopping for a fitness enthusiast or a holistic health connoisseur, our editors' favorite picks have you covered for the holiday season.
Dec. 4, 2024 /CNET/
Best self care gifts
Suri Sustainable Electric Toothbrush
If your wellness aficionado loves to keep their teeth and the planet clean, the Suri electric toothbrush will make a great stocking stuffer. This toothbrush comes with a recyclable, plant-based head that is waterproof and easy to clean. The toothbrush boasts an almost five-star average rating from over 9,000 people who have enjoyed adding this toothbrush to their self-care routines. It comes in five different colors -- the winter fern is my favorite.
Lush Galactic Soap
There's nothing that says luxury like a fancy soap to add to your evening shower. Honestly, you can't go wrong with any soap from Lush, but there's something about the Galactic that makes it... out of this world. The vibrant colors and the incredible silky feeling it leaves on your skin are truly unmatched. All of Lush's products are made with natural ingredients and are cruelty free.
Guru Nanda 7-Step Oral Care Kit
When I tell you that the Guru Nanda water flosser has changed the game for me, believe it. I wasn't always consistent with flossing until I got this water flosser and other oral care essentials from Guru Nanda. Now I have a full oral care routine in the morning and evening. I think this bundle is a great kit to gift as it comes with all of the must-haves to transform your pearly whites -- water flosser, whitening oil pulling, toothbrush, tongue scraper, dental floss, mouth wash and whitening strips. Guru Nanda combines the best of eastern and western health philosophies and uses ethically sourced ingredients.
Canopy Filtered Shower Head Bundle
This shower head filter is easy to install and helps filter out heavy metals, chlorine, calcium carbonate, iron, mercury and other contaminants that can be found in hard tap water to promote healthier skin and hair. The filter is even tested to NSF-177 standards. This bundle includes the shower head, a replacement filter, diffuser, three canopy signature aromas and everything you need to install it like a wrench and plumber's tape. Whoever receives this gift will literally glow after their shower.
Mediheal Madecassoside Blemish Pad
These are the best toner pads to add to any skin care regimen. I used to skip the toner, but not since adding the blemish pad to my night routine (although, these can be used in the morning too). I find that when my skin is breaking out, these pads do a great job at soothing irritated skin and diminishing blemishes. These pads are also made of vegan fibers.
Every Man Jack Body Gift Set
Don't know what to give the adventurous man in your life? Every Man Jack makes the perfect gift for the one who is always on the go but values clean ingredients. The Every Man Jack body gift set comes with a body wash, deodorant, 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner and a face wash. All of the products are made in the USA, B-Corp certified and don't contain any harsh chemicals.
Barriere Daily Defense Vitamin Patches
Consider taking vitamins orally a thing of the past as Barriere offers a better and fun way to get your daily vitamin intake. These patches are stickers you put on for a few hours and the vitamins go directly into your bloodstream for increased absorption. I personally find it hard to swallow large tablets and pills, so these patches have become my go to, especially when traveling since they take up minimal space. The stickers come in fun designs that your friends will want to show off.
Dermaesthetics Advanced Collagen Formula
Dermaesthetics has quickly become one of my favorite Korean skin care brands. I use this cream at night after I apply all of my serums and I find it great at locking in moisture, especially during the colder months. This moisturizer contains soluble collagen, which is essential for maintaining healthy elasticity and firmness on your skin. It's designed to target uneven skin texture and anti-aging concerns.
The Now Body Gua Sha
A gua sha is a self-care tool used in traditional Chinese medicine. The gua sha from The Now features a sleek design to aid in lymphatic drainage, inflammation and circulation enhancement. I love to use it after my night shower with the hemp body oil (you can use it with your favorite massage oil) for a little TLC before going to bed.
Bearaby Heated Bottle Snuggler
You can't be there to hug your loved ones every second of the day, but this heated bottle may be the next best thing. This is a gently weighted bottle that can be heated or cooled and you can snuggle with it. You can use the Snuggler as a hot water bag for pain relief or for sore muscles. I also use it to relax before going to bed.
Clearlight Red Light Therapy Personal Tower
I've been using the Clearlight red light therapy personal tower almost daily for a year and can attest to the skin benefits I've experienced. My skin is the clearest and brightest it's been in years. Besides the skin benefits, red light therapy may also aid with muscle recovery, inflammation and cell regeneration. The small tower is compact, which makes it easy to store. The personal tower is meant to be used while sitting, making it convenient to use while working, reading or relaxing.
Best sleep gifts for people who love to get their ZZZs
Hatch Restore 2
If there's one thing your sleep-loving friend or family member needs to add to their night routine, it's this sunrise alarm clock. Since using this clock, I have broken up with my phone's alarm clock. Nothing beats waking up to light that mimics the sun paired with soothing sounds. Not only does this optimize your wake up routine, but I use it at night to wind down, too. I can customize how and when I want to start to wind down (you can customize the color hues, the sounds, the time and days of the week) and the same for when I wake up in the morning. If you sign up for the membership, the app has an extensive library of sounds to wake up to, white noise to drift off to sleep and even meditations. You can access some sounds and light for free without a membership.
Purple Harmony Pillow
This is the gift the sleep lover in your life didn't know they needed. A quality pillow can be a game changer for achieving optimal sleep. This pillow is suitable for side, back and stomach sleepers. It has a unique springy feel thanks to the proprietary GelFlex. The inside is comprised of Talalay latex and the outside (below the pillow cover) is made of honeycomb GelFlex. I haven't enjoyed a pillow as much as I love my Purple Harmony.
Manta Cool Sleep Mask
Your loved ones deserve to fall asleep to the cooling sensation of the Manta cool sleep mask. This is one of the few masks I've tested that actually stays on all night. The design is also great since it has adjustable cups that go over your eyes and don't apply pressure to them. They are also super comfy for side sleepers (if you're a side sleeper and have used eye masks before, you know how they bunch up, exposing you to light or are uncomfortable on the side of your head). Besides blocking light, the cups are filled with cooling beads that you can put in the freezer and use before bed for extra cooling. Trust me, whoever receives this mask will be eternally grateful.
Slip Silk Pillowcase
There's nothing like resting your head on a silky, smooth pillow at the end of a long day. The Slip silk pillowcase is made of 100% Mulberry silk and has a zipper to ensure it stays on your pillow. I personally love a silk pillowcase because I'm a side sleeper and notice that I wake up with fewer sleep lines on my face when I use one. It also helps create less friction with your hair, so it helps promote growth and less breakage.
Sleep Number Create Your Perfect Comforter
Our sleep team is a huge fan of the Sleep Number Create Your Perfect Comforter. It's an innovative solution for couples who struggle with different warmth preferences. You can customize each side of the comforter to keep both partners happy during the night.
Loop Dream Earplugs
If you're looking for a gift for that one friend who lives in a busy city and their sleep has taken a hit because of it, look no further than the Dream earplugs by Loop. I live in New York City and the sirens, honking and city noises often make it difficult to stay asleep. The Dream earplugs are the perfect earplugs for sleeping as they do a pretty good job at blocking noise and are also really comfortable. As a side sleeper, I often found earplugs to be uncomfortable after a few hours of applying the pressure and weight of my head on the earplug, but Loop has done a great job with the design of these. They come in three colors, so you're sure to find a pair that your friend will love.
Sleepme Chilipad Bed Cooling System
If your loved one is a hot sleeper and frequently wakes up with night sweats, the Chilipad bed cooling system by Sleepme will make the perfect upgrade to their bed set-up. It's essentially a mattress topper connected to a water system that actively cools you during the night for optimal sleep. You can download the app to set up your night routine (the time you want it to start) and it'll automatically start every night. In the morning it will warm up to trigger your body's natural wake response.
Moonbrew Magnesium Hot Cocoa
Nothing says cozy bed time more than a magnesium infused hot cocoa. Moonbrew's nighttime hot cocoa blend with magnesium is the perfect bedtime drink to help you snooze. The best thing about it is that it's melatonin free, so you won't experience that hangover feel or grogginess the next morning. Some of the ingredients you can find in this blend are magnesium, L-theanine, reishi, chamomile and zinc -- the perfect sleep concoction. A single pack comes with enough servings for 30 days.
Best sleep gifts for people who love to get their ZZZs
Caraway Wooden Utensil Set
This utensil set makes the perfect gift for that health conscious friend that is worried about microplastics making their way into the kitchen. The Caraway wooden utensil set is made of FSC-Certified Birch Wood, a beautiful bamboo-colored wood that will elevate any kitchen. The set includes a spoon, server, scraper, spatula and tongs that are crafted from responsibly grown wood and free of toxic materials and BPAs, making it not only good for your food, but good for the environment.
Rebalance Dream Sleep Supplement
I love when supplements make it easy for me to ingest them since I find swallowing pills so hard. These lozenges are meant to be sucked like your favorite mint (they have a minty flavor) and are designed to help you balance your hormones and cortisol levels. I also like that they are free of melatonin, which can make you feel groggy the next day. These supplements are vegan and also soy, dairy, sugar and gluten free. They also contain no fillers, additives, dyes or preservatives, making it really allergy friendly and a perfect stocking stuffer for that friend that struggles to get a good night's sleep.
MegaFood Superfood Mushroom Stress Relief
This one is for that loved one that needs a little help chilling out. There's no way to sugar coat it, this year has been pretty stressful and we all could use a little TLC. MegaFood offers a great supplement that helps the body adapt to everyday stressors. Some of the key ingredients I like in this supplement are the reishi mushroom and ashwagandha; both have been linked to lower stress levels. I like that this supplement is no frills and a budget-friendly option. While I particularly like the stress relief system, the brand also offers vitamins for energy, immunity, digestion, healthy aging and more.
LTH Rewind Collagen Elixir
If there is such a thing as the fountain of youth, this collagen elixir from LTH is probably it. The berry-sorbet flavored shot contains ingredients that target the health of your skin, hair, bones and joints. Whether you’re aiming to improve skin complexion or just feel good, this unique blend of bioactive collagen peptides, hyaluronic acid, lutein and zeaxanthin and antioxidants can help revitalize and restore your skin's health and elasticity.
Nutribullet SmartSense Blender
If your friends or family members are anything like me, they enjoy making nutritious food at home. A quality blender can make all the difference in food preparation. I consider my blender one of the best additions to my kitchen. When I say I use it for everything, I mean it. The Nutribullet SmartSense blender is one of a kind. This blender has 1400 Watts of power and five variable speed settings – the widest range of any Nutribullet. It also features a smart auto cycle, which senses the ingredients inside the pitcher and automatically adjusts speed and time. I've really never enjoyed using a blender so much.
Lemme Grow Hair Growth and Anti Shedding Vitamins
We all know that one person who has been trying to grow out their hair for the longest time. I saw a lot of hair loss earlier this year due to stress and was excited to get my hands on the new Lemme Grow to see if it would help. I've only been using it for a week, so I cannot attest to its long-term benefits just yet. I will say that the consumer study results after 12 weeks of use looks pretty promising -- the brand claims 90% of consumers saw less shedding and 97% said their hair was thicker, shinier and longer.
Trace Ionic Magnesium
As I've already stated, I love when I can take supplements that I don't have to swallow. That's what makes Trace so unique, it's in liquid form so you can take sublingually or add it to water. Its liquid form can also help your body better absorb it. Magnesium can help promote better sleep and relaxation and improve energy and athletic performance.
DoTerra DigestZen Oil
Do you have a loved one or friend who is always having tummy issues? I've got the perfect solution for them. I recently got this essential oil blend that helps me a lot with bloating. It's packaged in a small, convenient roll-on bottle, that's perfect for travel or to keep in a purse. Just apply it with a carrier to your stomach and gently massage. (We do not recommend ingesting essential oils.)
Best fitness gifts for people who like to work out
Oura Ring Gen 4
The Oura Ring is a favorite among the wellness team here at CNET. Time and time again it makes it as our top sleep and fitness tracker. We love the sleek design and how it doesn't even feel like you're wearing a tracker. Besides going well with any outfit, the Oura Ring also gives you in-depth insight into your fitness and vitals. You can track your workouts, sleep quality, readiness, heart health and menstrual cycle. The brand recently launched the Gen 4 model with new and improved features like a completely titanium exterior and interior, recessed interior sensors (no more domes) and more inclusive sizing. The Gen 3 is still a solid tracker and is on sale for as low as $249. Of all the fitness trackers I've tested, the Oura is still my all-time favorite. I'm sure your fitness bestie will love it just as much.
Liforme Yoga Mat
This is the best gift you can give to your yoga-loving friend. This yoga mat has been one of my favorites to test and is the one I use daily for my at-home yoga classes. The brand is committed to using nontoxic, eco-friendly materials. The mat is made from natural tree rubber and has a really cool eco-polyurethane top surface, making it biodegradable and free from harmful chemicals, which are often found in traditional yoga mats.
ClassPass Gift Card
If you'd rather gift experiences this holiday season, you won't want to miss out on giving your friends or family a ClassPass gift card. You can choose the amount you want to give, and based on the amount they will get credits to use for a work out, wellness experience (like spas), beauty salons or food and drink. ClassPass has partnered with over 30,000 studios, gyms and spas all over the world, so whoever receives this gift can use it anywhere. I signed up for the free trial and have kept my membership since I like trying out new fitness spaces every week and have taken different classes like kick-boxing, yoga, pilates, personal training and more.
Bala Bangles Ankle and Wrist Weights
The Bala bangles are a great addition to anyone's work out routine -- they can be put on your wrists or ankles and can be worn to different fitness classes like pilates, yoga, core training or just walking. Besides being incredibly stylish, these weights stay put, even through active classes. I like how they're not bulky and can be easily stored in small spaces.
New Balance 530 Trainers
It doesn't matter who you're shopping for, the New Balance 530 trainers will help your loved one hit the gym in style. I find that these trainers are great for walking, strength training or even HIIT workouts as the midsole absorbs impact pretty well. They come in four colors to suit any personality and preference. These do run a little big, so I recommend sizing down half a size.
AllTrails Annual Membership
Give the gift of adventure to your favorite hiker, biker or trail runner this holiday season. AllTrails is an app where you download trail maps so you know where to go, even when you're offline or have no reception. You can share your trail with your friends so you can see where they are at any moment and the app alerts you if you've gone off the trail.
Lululemon Workout Sliders
Workout sliders are a great gift for those who love to work out at home, but have a small space. These sliders have helped me maximize my home workouts, especially those that target my core. These sliders from Lululemon have a sleek design and are really durable. The surfaces on either side of the sliders are different, so you can use one side on hard wood floors and tiles, and the other side on carpets.
Blogilates Resistance Bands
These resistance bands by Blogilates help you target muscle groups and build more strength in your arms, chest, shoulders and back. They have comfortable foam handles, which make them convenient to add strength-building resistance to almost any exercise. These would make a great addition to any home gym.