2020 Ultimate Holiday Gift Giving Guide (For Everyone On Your List!)

I don’t know about you, but this year I’m thinking about the holidays a little earlier than usual — in part for something nice to look forward to, and on a practical level just to make sure everything gets here on time!

Many companies are offering holiday deals earlier than ever to allow for extended shipping times, so I wanted to take advantage of these as well.

While we try to stick to experiences instead of stuff as much as possible (here are some of my favorite ideas from past years), but it’s always nice to receive a thoughtful and well chosen gift.

This 2021 holiday gift list contains all of our favorite gifts we’ve given and received as a family over the years. As much as possible, all these gifts are eco-friendly and limit plastic whenever possible. They are also largely natural, organic, or health promoting.

My 2021 Holiday Gift Giving Guide: Natural + Eco-Friendly!

Before jumping into the ultimate list, here are some other gift guides I’ve put together that might spark just the right idea for someone special:

If you’re looking for the mega master gift list, keep scrolling!

Important: Please note that many of the links in this guide are affiliate links. This means that if you purchase through these links, the price will be the same for you and I’ll receive a small commission that helps support my blog and my family. Many thanks for your support!

Christmas & Holiday Gift Ideas: Favorites for the Family in 2021

I’ve included my favorite gifts for every member of the family, age group, and interest level, so keep scrolling if you need ideas for a specific family member. They go in rough age order (from Mom and Dad to kids/babies) and then special interest gift ideas are below that (for the chef, the grandparents, white elephant gifts, etc).

Here we go!

Gifts for Her (That She Won’t Just Pretend She Loves)

As a kid, we always got my mom new kitchen gear and equipment as gifts. I remember feeling a little guilty because my brother and I got toys and fun gifts, and I always thought she got the short end of the stick just getting kitchen items that she used for us. Then, I became a mom myself and developed a love for cooking, and now I get just as excited about new kitchen essentials!

This list includes some of the best practical (and some pampering) gifts for moms, wives, sisters, and best friends.

1. Amazon Prime Membership – Get free 2-day shipping on many items, plus free streaming music and movies.
2. or Real Plans Membership – My biggest time saver – this plans all of my meals and shopping lists and can handle allergies, bulk prep day and more!
3. Shiatsu Massage Pillow – Seriously rivals an actual massage for half the price!
4. Hydro Flask Water Bottle – The water bottle I use that keeps water cool (or hot) for days!
5. Complete Facial Kit – Amazing facial oil with the highest quality ingredients and no junk!
6. Purity Coffee – If you are looking for a perfect cup of joe, look no further. Team this up with a coffee maker and you have a perfect gift for any mom, wife or best friend!
7. Dry Farm Wines – If she doesn’t like coffee, maybe wine is the way to her heart. I had the opportunity to visit the vineyards with the Dry Farm team a few years ago and I can’t recommend their natural wines enough. They are keto and paleo friendly, sugar free, lower alcohol and organic!
8. Wake-up Light Gentle Alarm Clock – Wake up gently to gradual light and sound
9. Himalayan Salt Lamp – Soothing warm orange glow at night from these beautiful lamps. I like this one because it’s unique and is really pretty to look at!
10. Blue Blocker Glasses – I wear these after dark for better sleep (some studies show that avoiding blue light after dark helps melatonin levels). There are some fun colors and patterns to play with.
11. 10,000 Lux Light – Feel blue in the winter? I use this super-bright light to keep my cortisol levels healthy.
12. Anything Le Creuset – Incredible (but pricey) dishes. I’ve been collecting a few pieces over the years and resisting the urge to buy it all!
13. French Press Coffee Maker – Make wonderful coffee with this classic method. (And see above for the perfect coffee to use with this!)
14. Instant Pot – Revolutionize dinner! This electric pressure cooker makes roasts in about an hour and turns tough cuts of meat into deliciously tender meals.
15. Grown-up Coloring Book and Markers – Coloring isn’t for kids anymore and studies show it may reduce stress levels. Try a “grown-up coloring book.”
16. Music – I love to fill our house with Christmas music this time of the year. Whether it’s on while we decorate or when we’re opening presents, it’s a must-have for our family. Another functional option is music by Wholetones as they offer therapeutic music to help Mom sleep or relax.
17. A good book – Just off the top of my head… maybe The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox or The Wellness Mama Cookbook? 🙂 Ok, I’m biased, but it’s a great way to have all of the best recipes and health hacks on the site at your fingertips.
18. Always Pan – This is your all-in-one pan that has made cooking and cleanup a breeze. It comes in different colors and brings some fun into the kitchen!
19. Blanket – Bearaby is one of my favorite brands of weighted blankets. There are many different colors and sizes available and I really like that this one doesn’t make me too warn (especially with living in a warm climate most of the year!)
20. ChiliPad – One of my favorite ways to optimize sleep for moms. Great for pregnancy, hot flashes, or just being the perfect temperature while you sleep!
21. Plant Therapy has some amazing lotions, body butters and essential oils! They create everything with high quality essential oils and is one of the most transparent brands that I know!
22. Anything from Wellnesse – My new personal care line has everything from shampoo to hand sanitizer to toothpaste!

Gifts for Him (No Ties or PJs on This List)

I’ve always had the most difficult time finding good gifts for the men in my life, especially my husband. He has incredibly high standards for products and prefers really high-quality items that last forever. These have been some of his favorite gifts in recent years and they might be perfect for the guys on your list too. (Also, check the lists below for more specific ideas for the guys who travel a lot or who love the outdoors!)

1. Magnetic Wrist Band – Holds nails and screws for the handyman!
2. Fire Starter Kit – Useful tool from our favorite outdoor brand to start fires without matches or a lighter.
3. Leather Toiletry Bag – This is a great gift for the guy that loves to travel and can use a fancy way to organize his toiletries.
4. Meat (and anything else!) Spices – Many of you know Laila Ali (daughter of the great Muhammad Ali) has created an amazing line of spice blends. The GOAT seasoning was inspired by the way the legendary boxer preferred his favorite cheeseburger and is a favorite in our kitchen.
5. Lifestraw or Sawyer Water Filter – Survival water filter that fits in your pocket.
6. Comfy Slippers – My husband loves these slippers he got a couple of years ago.
7. Heat Proof BBQ Gloves – For the man who likes to grill, these gloves will protect his hands.
8. Smart Wool Socks – Warm but not sweaty and they keep feet dry. Great for hiking or everyday use.
9. Wine Aerator – Pour wine through this to improve flavor.
10. 30-day Lantern for Camping – A really long-lasting lantern for the outdoorsman who loves to camp.
11. A new razor – Alitura is one of our favorite brands for skincare and their high quality razor shaves perfectly and is great for sensitive skin.
12. Saddleback Leather Wallet – This wallet has a 100-year warranty!! (yes, really!)
13. Beard Oil– Great option for thebearded man in your life!
14. YETI Rambler – This stainless steel and vacuum sealed large mug keeps things cold or warm for hours.
15. Hydro Flask Insulated Water Bottle – Insulated water bottle that keeps water cold for days.
16. Defender Phone Case or Laptop Shield – Protect him from EMFs when using electronics. The Heat Shield is perfect for those who frequently use their laptops on their lap and need a layer of protection.
17. Tactical Pen – More than just a pen, it works in all conditions and can break a car window if a person is trapped.
18. ENO Hammock – Portable hammock that fits in a small bag and is great for travel and camping.
19. ChiliPad – Does your guy struggle with sleep? We have used our ChiliPad for years and enjoy the temperature setting and the ability to control our sleep environment.
20. Tactical Backpack – For the outdoorsman, this bag holds everything he could need.
21. NFL Sports Coasters – These stainless steel coasters are a great gift for that sports guy that has everything.
22. Myobuddy – A percussive heated massager that targets muscle and fascia. A lot of people use this for cellulite, I just use it for relaxation and fascia massage. Use code wellnessmama for a discount.

Gifts for Older Kids & Teens

My older kids have gotten harder to shop for, but these gifts all got their seal of approval!

1. Buddha Board – A relaxing way to paint with just water (it evaporates and you can paint again).
2. Archery Set – My kids have loved these GBG archery sets and these sets are created for kids by kids. They have some helpful videos on their website as well!
3. Leather Journal – A beautiful leather journal for sketching or journaling.
4. Japanese Puzzle Box – These beautiful puzzle boxes are a unique way for older kids to keep valuable items safe and fun to learn.
5. Rubix Cube – The 1980s called, but we told it we are keeping the Rubix Cube. Older kids love learning to solve this.
6. Star Wars Legos – Popular among big kids and teens with dozens to choose from.
7. Build Your Own Programmable Robot Kit – A favorite with my oldest. Build a robot and program it!
8. Grown-Up Coloring Books – Coloring isn’t just for little kids anymore. These “adult coloring books” are very detailed and studies show that coloring is relaxing.
9. Boogie Board – Reusable board that encourages doodling and drawing.
10. Kindle Fire – An affordable tablet with a lot of capabilities.
11. Runaway Alarm Clock – Does your teen have trouble waking up? This alarm clock runs away and keeps making noise until caught!
12. Sundays Nail Polish – I like this non-toxic brand of nail polish. It lasts for weeks and has many color options.
13. Natural Makeup Brushes – If your teen is old enough to wear makeup, these natural brushes are great!
14. Power Cube Wall Adapter – Surge protector that charges multiple devices at once.
15. Collapsible Duffel Bag – Great bag for short trips that collapses to a tiny size.
16. Minnetonka Chrissy Boots (for teenage girls) – Super comfy boots!
17. Cash inside a Money Maze Puzzle Box – Give money so they can get what they like, but make it fun by hiding it inside this puzzle cube.
18. No Crease Ponytail Holders – These are really popular right now. They are gentle on hair and don’t leave a crease! Or I hear that Scrunchies and banana clips are back in style!
19. Travel Hammock – Have an outdoorsy teen? These travel hammocks collapse small and are awesome.
20. Become a Beekeeper Course: This is an amazing Introduction to Beekeeping Course. This course will teach them everything from buying bees to harvesting honey. Use code WELLNESS2021 for 15% off!

Gift Ideas for Younger Kids

There are certainly the most options to choose from when looking for gifts for children, but over the years I’ve learned to steer away from 1) lower-quality plastic items that break easily (and aren’t good for us or the environment) and 2) toys/gifts that only facilitate one activity and get old quickly.

These are a few of the gifts I’ve found in recent years that have survived the durability test and that our children have enjoyed the most:

1. Gym 1 Indoor Doorway Gym – Our kids’ favorite Christmas gift of all time. It is a gym that mounts in a door frame and they use it every day.
2. Snap Circuits – Really neat kit that lets kids learn about electricity by building different types of basic machines like a fan, a radio, etc.
3. Art Kit – A favorite among our girls. This kit contains markers, paints, colored pencils, and more.
4. Flower Press Book Kit – Kids can create their own stationery, cards, and more with the flower/leaf press kit.
5. Mini Trampoline for Indoor Play – We’ve had a trampoline in our house for years and it is great for cold or rainy days. Rebounding (bouncing) is also great for adults!
6. Wooden Twig Colored Pencils – Wooden colored pencils made from twigs. Good size for younger kids just learning to write and draw.
7. Wooden People and Craft Supplies – Our kids loved making their own little wooden dolls with these.
8. Plasma Car – Our little kids love these and they are great for kids of all sizes.
9. Natural Paints – Made from natural earth pigments.
10. Microscope Kit – My oldest loved looking at hair, dirt, and all kind of other things in this microscope.
11. Bath Tub Crayons – These beeswax bath crayons for toddlers are handmade in New Zealand with New Zealand beeswax and food-grade, non-toxic pigments. These jumbo crayons are perfect for toddlers, kids, and children from 2 years old onwards.
12. Or Beeswax Crayons – Triangular crayons made of natural beeswax.
13. Wooden Doll House – Great for ages 4-8. Fits smaller dolls.
14. Little Passports – This subscription service tailors to your child’s age and the collection they would most be interested in. (For parents, you can filter by your budget!)
15. Stainless Steel Play Kitchen Pots and Pans – My daughters used to play kitchen with these for hours!
16. Beginner Piano Keyboard (and free Hoffman Academy Lessons) – These are a great way to get the kids started with music.
17. Boogie Board – A reusable writing tablet that encourages creativity.
18. Sun Art – Fun educational craft idea that kids love.
19. Kendama Game – Fun interactive game that encourages movement.
20. Weighted Blanket – Not just for kids, but a soothing gift that helps kids get into a restful state and has demonstrated benefits for sleep. My kids also love the Bearaby.
21. Sensory Swing – If you are looking for a sensory swing to help your child relax and de-stress, this is the swing for them. The swings are made of high-quality but comfortable canvas that your child will want to spend hours in.
22. Kids Cook Real Food e-Course – Give the gift of quality time and kitchen skills to boot! This course was life-changing for our family.
23. Plant Therapy Aroma Plush Sets – These adorable gift sets include a plush animal along with their KidsSafe Woodland Retreat Oil. I’m a stickler on essential oil safety for kids, which is one reason I appreciate this line so much.

Gifts for Babies (and Expecting Parents)

There are literally thousands of options for gifts for babies, but many of them contain endocrine-disrupting plastics or will just never get used. With over a decade of parenting and six kids, these are the gifts, toys, and gear that made the cut for us.

1. Pregnancy Affirmation Cards – I love these sweet cards that encourage pregnant moms!
2. Organic Mattress Cover – Protect baby from mold and allergens in mattresses.
3. Organic Cotton Crib Sheet – Soft organic sheet for the crib.
4. Organic Muslin Swaddling Blankets – My favorite blankets that are perfect for swaddling or nursing.
5. Snot Sucker – Not as gross as it sounds and a lifesaver if baby is sick!
6. Baby Bouncer – This can be a lifesaver during busy days with calming music and vibrations.
7. Food Grade Silicone Fruit Teethers – A favorite when my kids were babies.
8. Hape Wooden Toys – I love these high-quality wooden toys!
9. Ergo Baby Carrier – A great baby carrier that is comfortable for mom or dad too!
10. Sophie the Giraffe – This teething toy has a passionate following with the under-one-year crowd!
11. Fleece Newborn Booties – Babies always manage to lose socks, but these stay on and keep toes warm!
12. Manhattan Toys Rattle and Clutching Toy – Little ones love this engaging wooden toy.
13. Natural Rubber Orthodontic Pacifier – For babies who will take a pacifier, try this natural rubber option.
14. Baltic Amber Teething Necklace – May help soothe teething pain.
15. Manhattan Toys Circle Toy – A beautiful and fun toy that baby will love to play with.
16. Natural Rubber Teething Toy – The only toy my baby prefers to my finger when teething gets bad.
17. Organic Cotton Teether – An organic cotton and wood teething toy option.
18. Shea Moisture Baby Wash and Lotion – Fabulous smelling baby wash and lotion without the junk!
19. Wooden Animal Toys – Adorable and durable wooden animal toys.

Gifts for the Chef or Foodie

Does someone in your life love to cook (or eat)? These gifts make spending time in the kitchen so much fun!

1. Stainless Steel Coffee Percolator – No plastic, no junk, just awesome coffee that stays warm for hours in this all-stainless percolator.
2. Blendtec or Vitamix – both are amazing blenders that will last for years!
3. Stainless Steel Immersion Blender – Great for sauces, smoothies, blending things in a pot or pan and so much more.
4. Yogurt Maker – Homemade yogurt tastes so much better than store-bought and is simple to make.
5. Ice Cream Maker – Make any kind of ice cream: dairy-free, sugar-free, etc.
6. Crock Pot – A great slow cooker
7. Instant Pot – This electric pressure cooker has almost replaced our slow cooker and I use it at least three times a week.
8. Crinkle Cutter – So the kids can help cut food for meals.
9. Stainless Steel Bowls – Great for mixing, serving, and storage.
10. Spiral Slicer – Make vegetables into noodles with this spiral slicer.
11. Stainless Steel Straws – Replace disposable straws forever with these steel straws.
12. Mason Jars + Cuppow Lids + Sprouting Lids – Use mason jars for cups and the opportunities are endless.
13. Kombucha Brewing Supplies – Do you drink kombucha? If so, do you make your own? It is so much better and the flavors are endless.
14. Dehydrator – Preserve foods with a stainless steel dehydrator.
15. Xtrema Cookware – My standby scratch-proof ceramic pans that I have used for years. I’ve also recently discovered the Always Pan and Perfect Pot and highly recommend them!
16. Bamboo Utensils – These inexpensive bamboo utensils are great for cooking.
17. Stainless Steel Large Baking Dish – These have been a lifesaver when cooking for large get-togethers with family and friends.
18. Glass Electric Tea Kettle – Make tea in seconds with this glass electric tea kettle.
19. Salt Block for Cooking – I love cooking fish, meat, and even baked goods on a salt block for amazing flavor.
20. Premium Milk Frother – If you want to spring for an unusual (and more pricey) gift, this milk frother makes coffee shop worthy froth for coffee.
21. Spice Set – These super high-quality spices were created by Laila Ali and come in ready-made blends to make flavorful cooking easy.
22. Thrive Market Membership – Know someone who is a connoisseur of great food (with real ingredients)? Gift them a Thrive Market membership so they can have the pantry of their dreams for less, all year.
23. Four Sigmatic or Purity Coffee – Two of my favorite healthy coffee brands for the discerning coffee drinker.
24. Pique Tea – So many great tea options from Pique. We’ve had the founder on the podcast and are impressed with the level of purity and testing they have in place for their teas. These are my favorite teas to have on hand.
25. ButcherBox – Give the gift of 100% grass-fed beef, free-range organic chicken, pork raised crate-free, and wild-caught seafood. We have a monthly subscription and enjoy their Filets and ground beef.
26. Kasadrinos Olive Oil – I use olive oil a lot between cooking, using on salads, and anywhere in between. Kasadrinos is the only olive oil that I trust and anyone with a love of cooking (and eating!) will taste the difference.

Gift Ideas for the Grandparents

Our parents both live nearby and are involved in our kids’ lives. I always struggle with what to get them that somehow says “thanks for everything you did for me all of those years and thanks for being just as awesome with my kids!”

We usually give them something handmade from the grandkids, but these are some other ideas that have been a hit. (Some of these are also ideas for this year, so Mom, if you’re reading this… don’t read past here. 😉 )

1. Amazon Prime Membership – What my parents are getting this year (don’t tell them!). This gives them free 2-day shipping on many items and free streaming of many movie and music.
2. Photo Frame – This photo frame was a hit a few years ago with our parents. No fancy motion detectors, wi-fi, Bluetooth, or anything else that can stop working.
3. Kindle Fire – My brother got my mom a Kindle a couple of years ago and she uses it quite a bit.
4. Terracotta Plant Waterer – Perhaps not the fanciest of gifts, but very practical for anyone with house plants (I just ordered some). It upcycles a glass bottle to water a plant for weeks.
5. Wine Subscription – If your parents are wine-drinkers, they will love this wine subscription box of organic biodynamic wines.
6. Alitura – Anything from Alitura makes a wonderful gift and I have been using their products for years. The Santal Black is great for any Dad and their face mask and gold serum make you feel like you just left the spa.
7. Glass Electric Tea Kettle – For tea-drinkers, this electric glass tea kettle makes tea available almost on demand.
8. Instant Pot – The grandparents love it for all the reasons we love it- faster and more nutritious meals!
9. The Grandparent Book Journal – A sweet way to encourage kids and grandparents to spend time together and a beautiful keepsake of family history.
10. Pique Tea – My Dad is a big tea drinker and I like to make sure he is stocked up for the winter.
11. Mixbooks – I always make a photo book for each of my kids, but I also try to make one for my parents as well.
12. Weighted Blanket – My mom sometimes has difficulty sleeping and a weighted blanket has been shown to help improve sleep at any age.
13. Or anything on the lists above that they will love!

“Just in Case” or Hostess Gifts

These inexpensive gifts are great to have on hand for when someone drops by with a gift or to take to party hosts. I keep several of these wrapped to give when someone brings a gift by unexpectedly:

1. Electric Wine Bottle Opener – A fun way to open up a bottle of wine.
2. Wellnesse – Give a personal touch and bundle up some natural shampoo and conditioner or even hand sanitizer from my new line of products. They won’t be disappointed!
3. Bottle of Wine – We have a subscription to these delicious biodynamic wines, so I always have an extra bottle on hand. Add a beautiful set of wine glasses and you are all set!
4. Bag of Organic Coffee – Who doesn’t love coffee, especially when it’s organic and delivered fresh? Pair this with a hand warmer pottery mug – I love mine!
5. Hario Mizudashi Cold Brew Iced Coffee Pot/Maker – I’m a big fan of cold brew coffee and this is a great way to make it.
6. Plant Therapy Essential Oils – Check out their seasonal oils and kits!
7. Mason Jar Solar Light – Add some beautiful ambiance to any room with these solar lights.
8. Organic Bamboo Cheese Board – This is a great gift for anyone that regularly hosts and/or for that cheese and wine lover!
9. Pique Tea – I love carrying these teas in my purse. They dissolve in cold or hot water and are great for gut health. Sure to please almost anyone!
10. EcoScentials Candles – Made with 100% recycled and sustainable materials, natural essential oil fragrance, and a clean-burning coconut/soy wax blend. The hand-blown glass container is beautiful and easy to repurpose in decor around the house.

Gifts for an Active Outdoor Lifestyle

One thing we all need for Christmas… less time inside and more time in nature! Here are some gifts that are sure to spur adventure:

1. Biostrap – For those who are active and love to track everything, the Biostrap is very useful in tracking your sleep, recovery, heart rate, HRV and also has the option to track your workouts.
2. Gasper 4 Knife – Really high-quality multi-use knife. It’s made in the U.S.A. and also backed by a Lifetime Warranty!
3. Beekeeping Course – This is the one I secretly want this year… This course teaches everything from buying bees to harvesting honey. The gift package also comes with a beekeeping workbook and completion certificate and gift, all by mail.
4. Camping Tent – I’ve searched for a long time for the perfect family tent, and in my opinion, this is it. The hinged door saves many arguments over who left the door open and let all the mosquitos in. The attached screen room also gives kids a bug-free hangout (and place to store smelly shoes!). This Coleman tent is also a great price and has free returns on Amazon currently.
5. Kids’ Hydration Pack – This lightweight pack designed for kids is so much easier than a water bottle (and it has pockets so they can carry their own “treasures”). You could also fill the pack with some fun and practical camping gear (or a coupon for a day hike or camping overnight).
6. Flight Log Book – Know someone who’s always dreamed about flying an airplane? Slip a gift certificate for a flying lesson into their very own flight log.
7. Scratch-Off Travel/Adventure World Map – My favorite travel map to record our family trips, simply because it’s so nice to look at. Bonus, one less wall I have to worry about decorating!
8. LMNT – This salty electrolyte drink is a must-have for any outdoorsman, runner, hiker, Crossfitter, etc. My favorite? The citrus salt or raspberry! For an added gift, pair this with a Hydro Flask
9. Surefire Flashlight – High quality and super bright pocket flashlight.
10. Gardening Book – The most practical, easy to follow garden book I’ve ever seen. Simple enough for beginners with plenty for experienced gardeners too. Add some easy to grow cut flower seeds.
11. For the active person in your life, the Myobuddy offers self-massages that helps with recovery and deep relaxation.

Funny Gifts for Dirty Santa and Funny Gift Exchanges

These are some of my favorite funny gift ideas for dirty Santa or white elephant gift exchanges. Sure to get lots of laughs!

1. Toilet Light – For those nighttime bathroom trips.
2. Nap Sack Prank Box – Take a nap anywhere with this hood.
3. Prank Pack Crib Dribbler – A fun prank for baby someone with a baby.
4. iDrive Prank Pack – This is just hilarious!
5. “You Parked Like An Idiot” Cards – I think my husband would actually use these!
6. Bathroom humor – Nothing says 2021 more than a roll of toilet paper and these are definitely worth gifting for a laugh. This Bathroom Guest Book (don’t forget the pen!) is also sure to make the bathroom visit more fun.
7. The Obsessive Chef Cutting Board – For the OCD chef.
8. Animal Paw Socks – These socks were a hit last year! Which animal would you choose?
9. Pooping Pooch Calendar – Yep, it’s exactly what you picture… perfect (or awful?!) for the dog lover in your family!
10. Banana Slicer – If you’re going to eat bananas, why not slice it correctly?
11. Cards Against Humanity – These are incredibly irreverent, but will have you on the floor laughing for hours.
12. Maybe Swearing Will Help Coloring Book and Markers – For the potty mouth (or clean mouth?) in your life 🙂

Family Gifts

If you’re like us and often choose family gifts that the whole family can enjoy (or enjoy better health because of), you might love these options. This list also includes outdoor activity gifts that we use and love.

1. Sauna – This is one gift that will have long-lasting health benefits. It isn’t an inexpensive gift, but one that family can enjoy all year.
2. Joovv Light – Like the sauna, this gift also brings the benefit of boosting health. Red light therapy is well-studied for its skin and mitochondria benefits and this is one of my favorite parts of my daily routine.
3. Rapid Release – Like a chiropractor and a massage therapist built into one. This device is designed to release muscle tension and it works! I love this thing.
4. Wholetones 2Sleep Music – Uses soothing music with targeted sound frequencies to induce health benefits like stress reduction and better sleep… and yes, it works even for kids!
5. Organic and Natural Mattresses – This was our gift to each other one year and we love our mattress. We have one from My Green Mattress, but have also saved up for the Organix Bed from IntelliBed.
6. Natural Cookware – I got some of this cookware for Christmas years ago and have been using it since then!
7. Matching Organic Jammies –  Switching to organic PJs is one way to reduce chemical exposure from clothing by half and these organic jammies are our favorites.
8. Backyard Bags (or also called Cornhole) – This is always a fun game for the backyard. Whether you have guests over or its just the two of you, this has been a family favorite in our house.
9. Trampoline – Not just for kids when you consider the lymphatic benefits of jumping!
10. Swing – Our kids love this backyard swing and they can all fit on it!
11. Slackline – Like a balance beam and trampoline in one. It encourages balance and coordinating and is hours of fun.
12. Ninjaline – Like monkey bars but tougher. A lot of people use these for Ninja Warrior training, but our kids just think it is fun!

Natural Beauty, Health and Home Gifts

I love making my own DIY Christmas gifts, but there isn’t always time! Thankfully there are so many great companies now making safe and natural personal care products (for example this excellent company… ahem!).

1. Wellnesse – This is my new personal care brand and we have toothpaste, shampoo/conditioner, dry shampoo and hand sanitizer. It makes a perfect stocking stuffer….. or snag some for yourself!
2. Lotion Bars – If you’d like lotion bars similar to my recipes, but that you don’t have to make yourself, check out Made On, a small, family-owned company that makes all kinds of lotion bars, soaps, natural baby products, and hair products that are up to my standards. If you use the code WELLNESSMAMA, you’ll get a 15% discount on your order!
3. Alitura Skincare – Alitura uses organic botanicals and superfood ingredients to nourish the skin. This is serious skincare with the works: clay masks, intensive moisturizers, derma rollers, and more. Use the code WELLNESSMAMA for 20% off!
4. Toups Organics (Makeup & Beauty) – Heather of Mommypotamus introduced me to this line and they have an incredible line of clean cosmetics, lotions, and even a baking-soda free deodorant for sensitive types.
5. Crunchy Betty Facial Serum & Natural Deodorant: Mentioned before, but I can’t say enough about them.
6. Branch Basics Cleaners – I know I’d be happy to find some all-natural cleaning products (I don’t have to make) under the Christmas tree.
7. Vibrant Blue Oils – Wildcrafted and organic essential oil blends made to support specific health conditions. I love their Parasympathetic Oil blend!
8. Magnesium Oil – Spray on for relaxation, detox support, even deodorant! I also love this magnesium lotion (two birds with one stone!).
9. Beekeeper’s Naturals – My absolute favorite bee products! Their Propolis Spray comes in handy when I have a scratchy throat or when I’m traveling and need an extra immune boost. But I also love their new cough syrup and B.Powered products!
10. Kid-Safe Essential Oil Roll-Ons – For sleep, headaches, cold relief, and more, without having to worry about negative side effects. Plant Therapy also has an amazing Kids Safe line with blends for runny noses, ear pain and some holiday scents as well!
11. SolOrganics Bedsheets – My favorite organic sheet set (and I’ve tested a lot of them!) to pamper a special someone in your life. We gave this to the grandparents one year and it was a huge hit! If you are looking for a comfortable pillow to add, I love my Wakewell pillow.

Gifts for the Book Lover

If you’ve listened to my Wellness Mama Podcast interviews, one of my favorite questions to ask our guests is if they have a book that they would recommend I am an avid reader and I have enjoyed receiving new book recommendations from guests that inspire me. The below are my favorites – some inspirational, some fiction, and some educational.

1. Chef Junior – An amazing cookbook written by kids, for kids! And yes, I may have some Mom bias, but this is a great gift for kids who either want to learn how to cook or just want some fun and easy recipes to create.
2. The Four Agreements – One of the most popular recommendations and one that I highly recommend for everyone to read.
3. The Obstacle is the Way – Ryan Holiday books never disappoint and he takes some of the most important aspects of wisdom and success and how to apply it in our own lives.
4. Food: What the Heck Should I Eat? – Bestselling author Dr. Mark Hyman understands how confusing it can be to know what we should eat and he shares all the science and nutritional insights to set the record straight.
5. Nom Nom Paleo: Food for Humans by Michelle Tam. This is not your average cookbook! It’s hugely entertaining with lots of narration by comic characters, and best of all, my kids have loved every recipe.
6. Against All Grain by Danielle Walker. Over 150 recipes of delicious recipes, including a kid-friendly section and even healthy desserts! Full review here.
7. 30-Day Guide to Paleo Cooking by Hayley Mason. A basic guide perfect for beginners about Paleo eating, plus a month-long meal plan and shopping list.
8. The 4-Hour Chef by Timothy Ferriss. An unconventional but fun cookbook that teaches readers how to maximize their efforts in the kitchen.
9. The Holistic Rx: Your Guide to Healing Chronic Inflammation and Disease by Madiha Saeed, MD – Dr. Madiha is a trusted source at Wellness Mama and her book offers the reader with one or more chronic health conditions with easy-to-follow evidence-based approaches to healing by targeting inflammation and its underlying root causes.
10. Rising Strong: How the Ability to Reset Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Brene Brown. I like how Brene walks us through something that we all need to know how to do – being brave, falling, and getting back up.
11. The Lion Tracker’s Guide to Life by Boyd Varty – This would be a great book idea for any guy on your list!
12. The Nightingale – A fictional historical book taking place during World War II that will grab you from the beginning.
13. For easy, entertaining reads, our team recommends The Last Thing He Told Me or Local Woman Missing: A Novel.

There’s probably a lot more that could be added to this list, but these are my current favorites. Many of these items go on sale Black Friday week, and I will list the best of those sales in this post.

What is on your Christmas and holiday gift list this year? What are you getting for friends and family?