Well friends, the 2020 holiday shopping frenzy is upon us, and with the year we’ve had, it’s no surprise that I keep seeing shopping guides with a BIG focus on self-care gifts…so I’m adding in my two cents, too.
This post contains affiliate links for which I may gain a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Call me crazy (or selfish) but historically I have taken advantage of black friday deals primarily for the benefit of: me, myself and I.
Years ago, with so little time (and money) to shop, I would get a LOT done during the holiday sales events, filling my in-person shopping basket with essentials like body wash, a new pair of dress pants or even (gasp!) underwear!
Basic needs count as self-care gifts, right? Maybe not the most glamorous, but certainly necessary!
Occasionally if the deal was really sweet, I’d even treat myself to something fun and frivolous (again…GASP!). Certainly, a new top or some makeup was justifiable, right?
…not exactly. In those days, even with great deals abound, spending money on myself made me feel GUILTY, regardless of the degree of need.
These days, I’m fortunate to be in a healthier place now, where I don’t feel [as much] shame when I purchase things to support my basic needs or my mental health (within reason, of course), and yet I STILL struggle to really internalize the regular practice of true self-care.
In an effort to support other time-poor, overextended, and even budget-stretched folks, I’ve put together some of my favorite self-care items and ideas (including free ones!) to support our self-love during any time of year.
If you have the means, consider treating yourself or a loved one to some of the self-care gifts I’ve shared below, and support some small businesses in the process…win-win! This is my first post with affiliate links, but I’ve also included some FREE suggestions as well.
3 self-care gifts that are worth every penny
Rasa is an indulgent, yummy, herbal coffee alternative that has been a GAME CHANGER for me. There will always be room in my heart and life for coffee, but Rasa has helped me majorly curb the, at times, unhealthy relationship I have with java.
Robust and freakin’ delicious, Rasa is packed with herbal adaptogens, which I like to think of as both a hug and no-BS-pep-talk for my stress response. As an added bonus, it tastes great WITH coffee, so you can have your cake and eat it, too.
This small company (only 14 employees) is based in Colorado, led by a BA-mom, and doing amazing work to help people rest and heal their overextended adrenal systems…Honestly, I’d love to give each of them a massive hug. They’re my first affiliate arrangement for a reason…I love the company and I REALLY love the product. Use my code YOURRXFORSELFCARE for 15% off your first order.
More to come on my love affair with this tea in future posts, but for now, TRUST me and think about getting some daily adaptogens in your life.
2. Literally any book from a local independent book shop
Small business Saturday may be over but it’s always a good time of year to support businesses and shops that are local to YOU. Consider treating yourself to a new book from a local independent book shop – there may be more in your area than you know, and many are offering online ordering or curbside pickup! Find and shop your local indie bookstore here. Right now, I’m [very slowly] enjoying Do Less by Kate Northrup.
3. Treat yo’self to something nice…
In the name of self-care, its a good a time as any to treat yo’self, but not necessarily in the ways we did in 2011. Is there an item that will help you make your workday better or more bearable (like a planner, an app or, even a new pair of shoes)? Is there a chore you can delegate to a hired hand (like grocery delivery/curbside pickup)? Whatever it is, consider treating yo’self to it this holiday season.
4 FREE (or nearly free) self-care gifts
- Try this homemade body scrub with insultingly simple instructions (warning, this is MESSY!)
- RIGHT NOW, reach out to a friend or loved one. Tell them ONE nice thing you’ve done for yourself today. It doesn’t have to be groundbreaking, and it can be something you do EVERY day, but the key is to tell your friend HOW you have participated in some self-love today. Ask them to do the same with you.
- Grab a post-it, and write yourself a love note, a compliment or a positive affirmation. Stick it in a book or give it to a family member to hide for you, so you can stumble upon it in the future.
- Ok, shameless plug time… Write to me about this blog post and/or sign up for my email list (below this post) by 1/1/2021, and you’ll be entered to win a mini self-care gift bundle from yours truly (sneak peek: it includes lip gloss, RASA, and some healing crystals…yay!). Tell your friends who might need it, too. 😉
This year, as we approach the holidays amidst strange and uncharted circumstances, please don’t forget to factor in your self-care (or your basic, human needs) into your holiday deal searching.
Do you need to gift yourself some self-love this holiday season? Did I forget any important self-care gifts in this post? Send me a message or connect with me on Instagram. As mentioned above, all messages I get about this post or new email subscribers by 1/1/21 will be entered to win a free self-care treat from me!
