Well…it’s that time of year again! Normally I’m a very firm “wait til after Thanksgiving” kinda gal, but one week into November with pumpkins still on my porch and I’m plannin’ Christmas dinner, deckin’ the halls, and beltin’ out holiday music like it’s December 24th. Maybe it’s because everyone and her sister are decorating for Christmas on IG or that the toddler-like excitement for snow & lights & presents is alive and well in our house these days. Either way, I mayyyyyy have just googled when the local Christmas tree farms open this year and have #noshame about it.
With all those holiday feels comes the anticipation (or sometimes dread) of gift giving. And while I personally L-O-V-E the whole process – from shopping to wrapping to impatiently waiting to giving – I’ve also experienced the pressure of coming up with fresh gift ideas…especially for those who are picky, already seem to “have it all”, or who you bought the *perfect* gift for last year and the stakes are high.
But no need to worry! My annual stocking stuffer guide is HEREEEEE (she sang, practicing her “Mariah Carey Christmas” high notes), because IMO, stockings totally have the potential to steal the show on Christmas morning. Of course you could go with the typical choices – gift cards, chap stick, jewelry (which are classics for a reason…so you’ll find the best versions of them here) – but I’ve gathered a few other unique yet useful stocking stuffer ideas you’re going to love while already taking size & shape & weight requirements into account so you don’t have to.
RELATED POST: The Mindful Woman’s Gift Guide to Thoughtful Stocking Stuffers
While the holidays can quickly feel like they’re all about acquiring more stuff, these meaningful & minimal & mindful stocking stuffers are a mix of my favorite things ~and~ wish list-worthy items I wouldn’t mind finding by my fireplace this year.
So with that, I give you the second annual Make + Manifest stocking stuffer guide, filled to the brim with intentional gifts at various price points, all meant to promote health, cultivate ease, and romanticize life. Whether you use this as inspo for your own Christmas list (again…#noshame) or it makes bringing joy to someone else’s holidays a little easier, I hope you’re motivated by generosity, love, and the spirit of giving this season.
Memberships & subscriptions
Spotify Subscription – Nothing makes a slow morning feel cozier, workout go faster, or road trip more memorable than good music, and a Spotify subscription is the perfect gift to ensure each of life’s moments has the perfect playlist in the background. From curating your own soundtrack to enjoying one of the thousands of pre-made mixes (“Quiet Music for Reading” is my current favorite), you can’t go wrong with this one.
Meditation App Membership – Research proves the power of meditation again and again and again, but thankfully you don’t have to sit in a quiet corner saying “ohmmm” for an hour to get the benefits. The Superhuman App provides meditation soundtracks for cooking, writing, walking, and getting ready in the morning (to name a few), so you or the person you’re gifting to can become her best self, even in a few spare moments.
Clothing Rental Service – The dress you know you’re only gonna wear once…a pair of pants you want to *really* try before you buy…the perfect jacket you can’t afford but HAVE to have…an Instagram-worthy vacation wardrobe…Nuuly is a high-end clothing rental service (think Free People, Anthropologie, Kate Spade) that delivers six chosen-by-you items straight to your door. If you have a fashionista on your list, this is *most definitely* for her.
Book of the Month Club – For my fellow readers – this is a fun one! As a subscriber to this subscription box, you get to choose from a handful of top-selected hardcover or audio books every month, then get them sent straight to your door. If you’ve been wanting to read a little more, are looking to create a book club with your besties, could use inspo when looking for the next best page-turner, or simply need an excuse to slow down, [this] is a great option.
Electronics
Mini Polaroid Printer – Very few things in life are quite as satisfying as ~finally~ printing photos from your phone, and this mini polaroid printer makes it even more fun. Picture that same old school photo feel but with the convenience of picking the digital shot you like best. Definitely not a “life or death” kinda gift, but ooooooh is it a treat to have!
Airpods – I resisted cordless ear buds for years, but I’m not afraid to admit that airpods have been a real game changer for me…especially since becoming a mom. Whether listening to music whole doing chores or binging podcasts during an afternoon walk, I love the cord-free convenience that takes multitasking to an easier and more enjoyable level.
Hard Drive – Maybe the most boring item on the list, but hear me out. A hard drive is a practical but perfect gift for the gal whose phone is full of photos and videos of their kids or fur babes or social media content and needs to free up space on her devices. My phone runs faster and computer operates smoother when I transfer pictures and documents to the hard drive a few times a year, making this a “don’t know ya need it ‘til ya have it” kinda gift.
Airtags – If you’re someone who constantly misplaces things (or wants to avoid losing your valuables altogether), airtags are the perfect solution. From keys to purses to luggage to dog collars to cars to kids, simply place this quarter-sized disk on what you want to keep track of, and your iphone will tell you right where it is! So cool, right?! Pair it with this protective waterproof case for the full effect.
Simple (but effective) health hacking tools
Tongue Scraper – Nothing says “I care about you” like a…tongue scraper? Trust me here! There are many research-backed benefits of tongue scraping like reduced bacteria, fresher breath, better taste sensation, improved digestion, and this copper tongue scraper is what I personally use to make it happen. I highly recommend throwing one in everyone’s stocking, watch their confusion, then smile when they thank you later for introducing them to the next best thing in oral care.
Basal Body Temperature (BBT) Thermometer – Every woman who menstruates should be tracking her BBT (blog post more on this coming soon), and the right thermometer makes all the difference. Because you track BBT first thing in the morning before getting out of bed, the thermometer needs to have a backlight and quiet beep…plus be accurate…and this BBT thermometer boasts all of the above.
Wellness Tracker Ring – This one’s at the top of my “would love to have” list and I’ve been eyeing it FOR-EV-ER! The Oura Ring tracks movement, heart rate, oxygen saturation, and body temperature then uses that information to help with sleep, stress, fertility, heart health, activity level, and more when you sync it with the Oura app or other health apps you’re likely already using. There’s other items out there that have similar technology, but this ring just looks so chic!
Copper Dry Brush – I’ve been dry brushing for years, but this dry brush kicks the “regular” results up a notch. Think the same improved lymphatic mobility, increased circulation, and healthier skin, with the addition of copper bristles that restore electromagnetic balance in the body and protect from environmental stressors. I didn’t think dry brushing could get any better, but apparently it can.
All-natural skin & beauty
Toxin-Free Makeup Primer – As someone with larger pores and fine lines that seem to multiply with every year that passes, makeup primer is a must in my morning routine. This clean priming serum is silicone-free, fragrance-free, and gluten-free, meaning I feel safe using it, plus it magically firms, moisturizes, and soothes my skin with just a few drops to the point that I’m even able to skip foundation most days of the week.
Anti-Oxidant Face Balm – I’ve been obsessed with Primally Pure forever, but earlier this year they came out with this all-natural skin moisturizer that improves skin elasticity, protects from the environment, increases collaged levels, and repairs pigmentation, and I’m obsessed. I put this on at night before going to bed and wake up feeling fresh and glowy. PS – I’ve tried and enjoyed every Primally Pure balm, but this is my favorite one yet.
Chemical-Free Nail Polish – Lolo girl is very into painting our nails lately, so there will definitely be a few bottles of this polish in her stocking this year. Because this brand only uses toxin-free ingredients, I feel perfectly safe and comfortable using their products on her perfect little fingers. While you’re browsing through their fun polish colors, make sure you peep their rose oil polish remover (no harsh smell and works great) and cuticle eraser – both of which I also use and love.
Natural Ingredient Lip Balm – Made from organic beeswax, coconut oil, and grass-fed tallow, this definitely & thankfully isn’t the cotton candy flavored lip smackers we grew up with. This clean-ingredient lip balm comes in five flavors (lavender is my favorite), and unlike other chap sticks that leave my lips feeling even dryer afterwards, this one nourishes and heals them quickly.
Alllllllll the accessories
No-Slip Mini Hair Clips – These mini claw clips are especially perfect for my fellow short-hair gals. They have the nostalgia of the butterfly clips from the early 2000’s, but the neutral, classic tortoise colors look wayyyyy more stylish. Ever since I chopped my hair off, these are my go-to for a quick half up-do or pulling my bangs back on the fly.
Blue Light Glasses – I’ve shared these blue light glasses in a few other gift guides through the years, but I’m linking them again because 1) they make a world of a difference for long stints of screen time and 2) I get compliments on them daily. Think less eye strain, less headaches, less blue light exposure…all while lookin’ too dang cute doin’ it.
Insulated Lunch Bag – I mayyyyy be pushing the stocking stuffer size limits on this one, but I believe in us (and believe this one is worth it)! For those who find themselves eating on the go, this drawstring lunch bag is roomy, has plenty of pockets, comes in the best colors and prints, and successfully keeps food hot or cold. This would make a great pumping bag or travel carry-on, if I do say so myself.
Miscellaneous (must-have) finds
Ring Cleaning Pen – I love it when my wedding ring looks extra sparkly, and this diamond cleaner pen allows me to easily shine my ring and other jewelry before a date night or other fancy occasion. The pen itself is small, making it easy to use on the go, but the solution somehow lasts forever (I was gifted this product the year I got married and am still using the same one). If you have jewelry that’s lookin’ a little dull, this is a must-get.
Handheld Drink Mixer & Frother – Coffee, matcha, cocoa, protein powder…this handheld mixer works 1000000000000 times better than a fork, whisk, or shaker bottle when trying to whip up your drinks in the AM. I use this every morning to mix collagen and egg yolk into my coffee creamer and honestly don’t know what I did before I owned one.
Electric Lighter – Nothing says “convenience” like fire at the touch of a button, and this rechargeable USB lighter is the easiest & most stylish way to make it happen. It won’t get blown out by the wind, is perfect for candles – birthdays, ambiance, power outages – has safety features this mama loves, and the charge lasts forever. Every time I pull mine out my mom asks me about it, so one might find itself in her stocking this year.
Affirmation Cards – Mmmmmmm…I just love the idea of a gift that keeps on giving, and this one gives inspiration, encouragement, mindfulness, confidence…the list goes on. While this might seem a little woo-woo, I believe every woman could use an affirmation card deck to start every day or week or month with intention and positive energy. If you’ve heard of the power of daily affirmations but are new to the practice, this deck is amazing.
Tell me – what’s your favorite stocking stuffer to spoil & surprise & make someone feel seen? Let me know in the comments add even more ideas to this list!
Hopefully this stocking stuffer guide has sparked some fresh & fun ideas for your holiday shopping this year. And while I encourage you to remember the real reason for the season, I believe investing in quality “wellness” items (in every sense of the word) is worth every penny, especially when it’s for you or someone you love.
– Amanda
Disclaimer: The content provided here does not constitute medical advice, nor is it a substitute for personalized healthcare. I’m a doctor, but I’m not your doctor. If you have concerns about a medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment, you should consult with a licensed healthcare professional.
Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. No pressure, but I have a feeling you’re gonna like what I’ve taken the time to put my recommendation behind.
