What to include in a self-care gift basket for a loved one

What to include in a self-care gift basket

4 MINUTE READ

Is your loved one going through a rough time? Are you letting too much time pass between visits? Remind them to take better care of their mind and body with a self-care gift basket.

Gary Chapman’s book, The 5 Love Languages, reveals that each human has one of the five love languages. These include quality time, physical touch, words of affirmation, acts of service, and receiving gifts. A person’s love language determines what makes them feel most loved. Likewise, the way you express love to others is likely to be your love language.

But even if it’s not your love language, giving and receiving gifts is an excellent way of showing affection. A self-care collection of gifts can be a great way to gift someone a package that will help them unwind and relax.

What to put in a self-care gift basket

Find a cute basket, tray, pail, or crate, and begin filling it with things your recipient might need or want to relieve stress. If you know your friend well enough, you might have an idea of what to include. But even if you don’t know what they like, it is okay to give them the most obvious things to help them relax.

When choosing what you may want to include in a loved one’s self-care gift basket, the possibilities are endless. You can choose from plenty of items, including affordable ones if you’re on a budget.

For the mind

A self-care gift basket is incomplete if it doesn’t contain at least one thing that will nourish the mind. Look for gift items that can help reduce mental stress and improve psychological function and response. After all, a healthy mind is essential to helping you maintain your overall well-being.

Books

Reading a book is one of the best ways to soothe the mind. It helps reduce stress and helps people feel more relaxed. Reading has meditative benefits that help the reader focus their attention on a single task.

But, what book should you include? While fiction books can be a nice light read, the choice of the book largely depends on your recipient’s preference. Make sure you’re getting a genre that they prefer reading.

Journal

Keeping a journal can offer significant benefits for the mind and overall quality of life. If you think your loved one needs to de-clutter their mind, add a simple starter journal to their gift basket.

Journaling helps reduce anxiety and depression. Writing down one’s thoughts at least twenty minutes a day significantly improves stress levels. Journaling often has a domino effect, leading to more healthy habits and behaviors.

What to include in a self-care gift basket for a loved one

This collection is pictured in a 12 in x 9¾ in x 3½ in wooden gift box by Carpenter Core.

For days that challenge one’s well-being

Everyone has rough days once in a while, which is why you should add a few items that can provide instant stress-reducing effects.

Affirmation cards: Add something inspiring and reassuring to cheer up your friend on a hard day.

Coffee or tea: Coffee or tea can promote calmness and relaxation.

Essential oil: The aroma of essential oils helps relieve stress, relaxing the mind and body.

For the body

The body needs just as much care as the mind. You should look for things that help nourish the body or promote physical health in any way. It can be something edible or something that relieves tension.

Snacks and drinks

Consuming something salty and sweet can help counterbalance stress. But snacking during stress is often unhealthy. Therefore, adding healthy snacks to the self-care gift basket is excellent for promoting physical health and nourishing the body with healthy foods. For example, spiced nuts are much better than chocolates or processed chips.

Likewise, some people even turn to unhealthy beverages during stressful times. Electrolyte water or powder may be healthier than unhealthy sugary drinks. Carbonated, sugary drinks can result in counterproductive sugar crashes.

Cozy items

Tight hugs are one of the best ways to relieve stress and promote calmness and relaxation. But let’s face it, you can’t always hug a loved one to make them feel loved. Sometimes, fuzzy products can be just as heart-warming as a hug.

Therefore, consider adding a scarf or blanket to a winter self-care gift basket. Fuzzy slippers and soft, fluffy socks also make lovely additions.

Conclusion

Making a self-care package for your friend, family member, or co-worker is easy when you know what to get them. Make sure you add goodies that nourish the mind and body. Books, journals, snacks, drinks, and fluffy items make for excellent additions.

Do you have any more ideas for making a self-care gift basket?

This article was made possible by support from Carpenter Core. We make small customizable wooden crates and boxes used for gift baskets and product packaging.

Back to blog