Gifts For the Stressed Out (so gifts for everyone?)
Little Things Can Make a Big Difference.
Who isn't feeling stressed right now—especially as we head into the holiday season? For me, the stress is coming from all directions. For starters, the business I worked for is shutting down, so now I'm starting over instead of heading toward the finish line in my career. I also have a parent with dementia, and I constantly feel like I'm not doing enough while simultaneously feeling overwhelmed. And let's not forget living with a teenage boy (need I say more?). Needless to say, my emotional state is all over the place.
Know someone who's stressed out like me? Send them a quick note letting them know you're thinking of them. That alone can mean a lot. Want to go a step further? Here are some gifts that either brought me comfort when I needed it or things I sent to people when they needed a lift.
Squeeze out the stress: Speks Gump Memory Gel Stress Ball ($8 for original) comes in happy colors and they are just fun and satisfying to squeeze. It’s great for someone who needs to relax or tends to fidget. Besides multiple color options, you can choose a mini 6-pack, original 3-pack, and jumbo size (for when you are really stressed). At under $10, pick one up for yourself as well!
Danish design that makes you smile: The Hoptimist ($25) was born from the late '60s happy movement. Its clean design helps it fit in anywhere within your house.. This bouncy figurine just makes me smile. It sits on my desk and gives me a little bounce to keep going and get through difficult tasks. The Hoptimist comes in four colors: green, blue, red, or classic yellow.
A soft and snuggly hug: When you give a reassuring hug in person, a Barefoot Dreams throw (starting at $158) is an excellent stand in. I received one from a dear friend a few years ago and it is the blanket everyone in my house fights over when we watch a movie. It’s so soft and it doesn’t pill. It’s one of my favorite things.
A face that sparks joy: The Face Carafe Vessel from Coming Soon NY ($65) is a glass vase with a unique hand-painted face. This item can pull double duty as a wine carafe, so pair it with either flowers or wine for a nice pick-me-up.
Words to live by (literally): I saw this poster on House Beautiful’s Instagram feed and I think it is a nice-looking reminder that we're doing what we can. This poster is reasonably priced ($14-34 depending on the size), and you can pick up a simple black frame at Michael's or Hobby Lobby to make it ready to hang.
From left to right: The Hoptimist; Speks Gump Memory Gel Stress Ball; Coming Soon NY Face Carafe Vessel; Redbubble “You’ve Got Enough On Your Plate” poster
Top image: Barefoot Dreams Cozy Chic Throw