🎄 Your Sensitive Holiday Gift Guide 🎁

Hand-picked by yours truly 💝

With the holidays around the corner, there’s a lot of pressure to buy the perfect gift. Gifts, as a love language, can represent the intimacy of the relationship, how well you know them & how meaningful the relationship is. Gifts can also feel like a suffocating burden when you’re trying to live as anti-capitalist as possible in a cost of living crisis. I got you.

If you’ve procrastinated buying gifts altogether or are feeling stuck in the process - after all, how do we buy presents on a budget when what we all actually need is a break from how expensive it is to be alive - I’ve compiled a list of gifts for the Sensitive beans in your life (and other ways to show you care for folks with other love languages).

If you’re a Sensitive bean, you can send this list to loved ones as a not-so-subtle hint!

Remember you have permission to celebrate the holidays how and with whom you want. This is a season of peace and reflection, not frantic busy-ness. Spend your holidays how you want to.

Let’s get into it. (none of these are sponsored in any way, just personal faves)

This is a group gift and the *only exorbitantly expensive thing on this list (which is why we split the cost - we can ask for support). It’s an incredible gift to go in with your group of pals for that friend who doesn’t yet have the weighted blanket they know they need. Bearby weighted blankets are knitted so tend to have a “softer” weight to them.

For the people-pleaser, the person in your life who you know is ready to speak their truth. The gua sha is an incredible tool to release jaw tension, and a great portable self-care tool. This one is from a spa in Treaty 6 - if price is a barrier, Amazon does have more affordable options.

For the introvert, home-body who cozies up in their pyjamas as soon as they get home from literally anything. These reading socks are cozy, fuzzy and everything you need to curl up during the holidays. I prefer the men’s style because the top is looser & more comfy!

For the person who lives with too many housemates to actually relax in the bath, Lush has shower bombs to make their showers more luxurious and relaxing like a bath - without getting knocks on the door. I recommend pairing with candlelight and light jazz for a truly relaxing experience.

For the anxious side or belly sleeper / insomnia-prone, we’re travelling back in time to recommend a stuffed animal. Yes, you’re a grown adult and yes, I’m recommending a stuffed animal for you. Your Inner Child deserves to feel safe at night. These Pillow Pets open flat and can be used to prop your shoulders or used as a leg pillow or cuddled like a good old-fashioned stuffed animal. It does wonders for those who need co-regulation to relax and / or if your apartment doesn’t allow pets but your heart does.

For the friend whose obsessed with their to-do list, I love these Jumping Fox A4 binders with these checklist pages. They’ll be able to close their to-do list when they need a break from the stressy-times but keep all their lists together, instead of 100000 sheets of loose paper or endless notes on their phone.

For the creative visionary who finds the beauty in everything, Rupi Kaur’s new book, “Healing through Words” is just what they need. Rupi takes us through her process of writing her 3 previous poetry books and how to transmute pain through creativity. This is literally medicine for their soul.

For the person you’re always stumped by, you can’t go wrong with a Glass Bookshop bespoke compilation, with a book bundle, puzzle and End of the World Tote. You’re setting them up for the perfect introverted time with gifts that keep on giving.

I first encountered the 5 Love Languages in my evangelical upbringing. It’s important to note that Gary Chapman’s theory is a helpful lens to understand ourselves and other people and also that his theory is homophobic and so very gender restrictive. Use it as a lens and adapt accordingly!

For a words of affirmation sensitive person (whether local or long-distance), Cardly is my favourite way to share how meaningful the relationship is. I write my favourite memory with the person, something I’ve learned from them and wishes for the next season of their life. It’s about $5 a card, including shipping, you can type in your message and choose pre-made doodles to personalize it for your person!

• For my neurodivergent friends, you can pre-make Cardly cards for all occasions throughout the year. I make a “set” every 6 months for all birthdays, etc. so I can stay connected to the people I love because time is meaningless but my relationships are not.

For an acts of service sensitive person, you can buy a day, week or month worth of meal prep from Fresh Prep or Hello Fresh (or any other meal service). We all need something taken off our plate every once in a while and having access to delicious food, without having to brave the expenses of the grocery store can be a welcome reprieve. Both Fresh Prep and Hello Fresh accommodates most dietary restrictions, as well!

For a physical touch sensitive person, this massage gun will become their new bestie. This is especially good for a physical touch person who doesn’t like going to a massage (sometimes non-familiar touch can be dysregulating). It has a few different adapters and many different modes for, ahem, all sorts of relaxation.

For a quality time sensitive person, book time at your local cat cafe. They usually have some gentle jazz and socially distant tables so you can co-regulate with the precious kitties. Spend time reflecting on the year’s happenings, what you’ve experienced together & separately and dreams for the future.

For anyone, including yourself, the perfect holiday gift is developing self-love through self-awareness. You know I’m talking about a virtual course. With topics in Self-Discovery, Perfectionism, Inner Child Work, Body Trauma, Manifesting and Trauma-Informed ShadoWork Basics from $97 - $197 USD, you can take healing into your hands this holiday season and share the gift of authenticity with your loved ones.

Love this list? Anything speak to you? Reply & let me know!

Happy holidays. Love you, and love yourself.