With all the things happening around the world, can we even still feel the December holidays?
We’ve all had a tough year. 2020 has shaken the whole world and made all of us fearful and anxious. Some of us lost some of our dearest family and friends; some lost their jobs. Others, sadly, suffered both.
But if there’s something positive that came out of this coronavirus-dominated year, it is the fact that we have learned to be more grateful and appreciative of our lives and the lives of the people we love.
And when’s a better time to express our love than now. We’re a few days away from our most awaited December holidays. Though our celebrations will be smaller this year as large gatherings are still banned in most places, the festive season remains meaningful and joyful.
Here are some holiday gift ideas – relatively cheap but has deep meanings – that you can give to your family and friends to make them feel loved and valued this December. Or you can buy these for yourself – you need to feel loved and valued, too.
Scented Candle
Who doesn’t love scented candles? This small but definitely amazing item soothes just about anyone who sees and smells it. Candles bring warmth and harmony, and to some, it means hope. A universally accepted gift for almost occasion, scented candles come in different fragrances, colors and containers but they’re available in almost all shopping malls and online shops.
Trust us, anyone you give a scented candle to will feel special.
Stress Ball
I mean, why not? Quite uncommon to put in a gift bag on December holidays, a stress ball is just what any of us needs right at this moment. The health crisis and all the problems have come with it are surely making us all stressed out and anxious every day. These squishy balls will surely help our loved ones cope with stress and relieve unnecessary tension. Scientific studies also revealed that when a person squeezes the stress ball, the nerves and the muscles around the hands contract, making them stronger. This, in turn, improves the nervous system functioning and reduces essential hormones, which control and curb stress levels.
Essential Oil Diffuser
This has become a trend the past months, probably because we all just want to be welcomed by a therapeutic smell in our homes after a long day at work. Essential oil diffusers disperse natural oils into the air – lavender, eucalyptus, and the likes – which can help freshen up a room and reduce feelings of anxiety. Like stress balls, the essential oils are said to impact mood and health. What’s more amazing is that diffusers require only some water and a few drops of oil to make a room or office into a calm, stress-free oasis.
Scratch Off World Map
The coronavirus pandemic has forced us all to stay at home and kiss our travel plans goodbye. It has been frustrating, really. But as vaccines are now being used and distributed, there’s enough reason to hope that we can soon fly to our dream destinations. These scratch-off world map can be the perfect way to record travel adventures. Because this whole COVID-19 situated has made us all value every moment and every experience we get, we all surely would want a map that would remind us of the happy places we went to and the memories we’ve had in each of them. If you plan to be a little more extravagant, a scratch off globe is also available!
AirPods Max
This is a bit pricey, I know. But…can’t we get a bit more generous for the December holidays? The fancy AirPods Max, which was released just recently by Apple, have been engineered to perfection. The wireless over-ear design promises the magic of AirPods’ high-fidelity sound, and combines immersive spatial audio and sophisticated design that suits every AirPods fan. Yes, you’ll have to cough up a big amount of money for the privilege of wearing them. But you or the person you’re giving it to will love it, that’s for sure.
Netflix or Disney+ Subscription
Most of us have kept ourselves sane through long self-isolations by watching our most-loved series and movies on Netflix and Disney+. Share this valuable gift to a friend who hasn’t subscribed to any of these yet. They will surely be grateful to have an outlet to release stress or just to let a bad day pass as they watch ‘Crash Landing On You’, ‘Friends’ or ‘The Prom’. And with Disney+ announcing several promising shows for 2021, it’s really nice to have something to look forward to and knowing you can easily watch them at the comfort of your own home.
Masterclass Subscription
This gift is perfect for family and friends who want to improve themselves by learning from high-caliber instructors. Though it costs a little high, a Masterclass subscription gives members access to all the classes on the platform conducted by the top names in various industries. There’s Gordon Ramsay for cooking, Annie Leibovits for photography, Margaret Atwood for creative writing, Ron Finley for gardening, and so on. If you want to learn tennis, well, award-wining star Serena Williams is just a screen away.
With this health crisis probably dragging until 2022, Masterclass is a great way to be productive.
Healthcare Kit
If this was written a year ago, there is no way I’d mention healthcare kit. But 2020 is no ordinary year. It made us realize that there’s nothing – absolutely nothing – more important than good health. And there’s no better way to tell your friends and family to stay safe than giving them a small pouch filled with alcohol, hand sanitizer, tissue, face mask and face shield. Giving a healthcare kit during this critical time isn’t only practical but a truly sincere gesture. We all want the people we love to keep themselves healthy, clean and free from coronavirus, so let’s help them achieve that.
These little gift ideas, and many others not mentioned, are tangible ways to express gratitude and appreciation to the people who made a challenging year bearable and still worth looking back to. But let us not forget that December holidays — Christmas, New Year, Hanukkah and all other celebrations marked by different religions and cultures — signify love, respect and unity.