Gift Guide # 6: For Your Frazzled Friend
Life is hard and people aren’t always as kind to themselves as they should be! This guide is for your friend who is stressed out, exhausted, is a hard worker, needs some self care, or simply deserves something special that they would never buy for themselves. Or are we talking about gifts to buy for yourself? Possibly all are true!
To that point, I think I’m the frazzled friend this holiday season. I’ve overextended, overplanned and overcommitted as much as one can do since Halloween. From pnemonia, in-law visits, girls’ weekends, birthday parties, sinus infections, holiday meals, santa wishlists, pie tastings, stomach bugs, elf on the shelf, covid exposures, cookbook signings and more… it’s been a (mostly) FUN but VERY FULL fall and my cup runneth wayyyyy over. The light is at the end of the tunnel soon (Hellooooo December 26!) but that’s my longwinded way of saying this will be the end of the road for this year’s gift guides. I love to share the ideas and help make holiday shopping a little simpler for you but I didn’t quite give myself the best gift of all: time. Onward and upward for better, longer guides in 2024! Happiest holidays, friends.
GIFT GUIDE # 6: YOUR FRAZZLED FRIEND
Warming + Cooling Neck Wraps
I spent last weekend talking to a friend at a birthday party at a climbing wall birthday party. We had to kink our necks upwards to watch the kids climbing and asking us to keep our eyes on them the full time. It only took a few minutes for the pain of staring upwards to set in. Whether your friend is needing to strain their neck for their kids attention, or slumped in front of a computer, these warming wraps offer an indulgent comfort at the end of the day.
Floral neck wrap (microwavable) and can be used hot or cold. This one is a similar print in a lighter color palette.
Lavender flowers and flax seeds fill this pillow which also works hot or cold in case you’re looking for a soothing, scented option.
Frownies
Anyone else notice the frown lines getting deeper this time of year? I’m turning to Frownies for some support. Did you know this company has been around for 130 years? Sounds like the OG Botox to me!
Odor Eliminating Candle
I find that my house can feel stale this time of year since it’s cold out and we’re cooped up more than usual. Candles are lovely but have you seen this odor-eliminating candle by Diptiyque? It is a delicate combination of tomato leaf, basil and mint but doesn’t overpower a room with “candle scent.” They actually have an entire housekeeping collection with eco-certified ingredients!
How to Not Always Be Working
I found this book on one of my visits to Terrain and it REALLY spoke to me. I didn’t realize what a workaholic I was until I quit my day job years ago. I wanted to blame the job but, um, hi. I’m the problem, it’s me. One review of the book reads:
“Essential for everyone who feels overwhelmed and anxious about our hyper-connected world… [the book] includes practical suggestions and thoughtful musings that prompt you to honestly examine your behavior—how you burn yourself out and why you’re doing it. A creative manifesto for living better, it shows you how to carve sacred space in your life.”
Put this in the category of gifts to give yourself!
Smart Goggles
No, this is not a virtual reality game. Unless you want to play the game of being completely relaxed! You might know the company behind these “Smart Goggles,” Therabody. The last few holiday seasons everyone was buying their massage guns (I hate that name) but they came up with a solution that’s meant to relieve stress headaches, migraines, ease facial tension and strained eyes and improve sleep.
Aromatherapy Patches
Stressful day ahead at work? Long day with the kids? Holidays have you full of anxiety? Try the stress-relieving equivalent of grabbing a piece of gum to freshen up and stick on an aromatherapy patch.
