Stocking Stuffers for Health Enthusiasts
A round-up of ideas such as home spa gift packs, healthy snacks, essential oils, etc.
The holiday season is upon us, and with it comes the joy (or exasperation!) of gift-giving. If you’re looking for the perfect stocking stuffer for the health enthusiasts in your life, or wanting to nudge less health-minded friends and family in a more mindful direction, your local health food store offers a treasure trove of options.
Here’s our guide to some fantastic seasonal stocking stuffer ideas for kids and teens right through to older relatives and friends.
1. Delicious (and Sneakily Nutritious!) Snacks
Let’s face it, the holidays are a time of gluttony for most of us. Here are some healthier treats that are perfect for munching on during the festive season:
- Dried fruit: Get your fibre, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients all while enjoying the sweet taste of apricots, dates, papaya, apple, and other fruits. Choose organic and unsweetened where possible!
- Protein and granola bars: A great stocking stuffer for the busiest folks on your Christmas list. These can satisfy sweet cravings and provide long-lasting energy. Choose a variety of flavours and styles to keep things interesting.
- Trail mix: Get a ready-made mix or make tailored trail mix based on what you know your gift recipient likes most. Add superfoods like goji berries or cacao nibs for a fun surprise, or go with readymade Moroccan Spiced Nuts for a simple stocking stuffer.
- No-added-sugar chocolates and sweets: If there’s someone on your list with allergies or blood glucose issues, your local health food store can help! Diabetic-friendly chocolates and vegan-friendly, gelatine-free candy do exist, and they taste better than ever! Check out Zero Bars for protein-packed treats with no added sugar.
2. Herbal Teas
Give the gift of cosiness and warm up those chilly winter nights with soothing herbal teas. Get a variety box or make your own, tailoring the choices to your giftee’s likes and needs:
- Loose leaf teas: Use Mason jars for your own blends of loose leaf teas and decorate with your recipient’s name. Remember to note whether the tea is caffeinated!
- Calming teas: For the most frazzled folks on your gift list, choose calming blends like Pukka’s Relax to help during the busy holiday season.
- Tea samplers: get a variety of tea and then make your own cute tea sampler packs. This way, your loved ones can explore new tastes without committing to a full box.
3. Essential Oils
Essential oils are a great gift because they are so versatile! Choose between uplifting, calming, and invigorating scents depending on who it’s for. Perfect for aromatherapy or DIY beauty treatments, consider the following delightful gift options from Tisserand:
- The Little Box of Happiness
- The Little Box of Motivation
- Energy Boost Mood-Fix Mist
- Ethically harvested Wheatgerm Pure Blending Oil
- Aroma Spa Diffuser
Other great gifts for bathtime include magnesium salts, bath flakes, and arnica muscle soak to support muscle relaxation.
And for family and friends who are already looking frazzled, you can’t go wrong with the gift of Bach’s Rescue Remedy.
Finally, don’t forget the chicken in your life. Yes, they too can enjoy bath bombs to fluff their feathers, infused with tea tree and rose oil for pure poultry pampering.
4. Natural Beauty Products
Many beauty products are chock full of nasty chemicals that can sabotage good health. Pamper your loved ones with gentler toiletries and natural beauty products that are kind to their skin and the environment.
- Reishi and Calendula Soap: great for gardeners and anyone with chapped skin
- Reishi and Rosehip Soap: a lovely choice for older relatives with dryer skin needing some extra TLC
- Fragrance Free Handmade Soap: a top choice for office workers and anyone with sensitivity to fragrances
For the teens in your life, or anyone who loves lip balms, consider a natural tea tree acne remedy a and Crazy Rumors fun collection. These natural and organic lip balms are fantastic for keeping lips hydrated and happy during the dry winter months. Fun flavours include:
Crazy Rumors also offers a natural lip balm to keep things simple and scent-free. And for tinted lip care, consider Antipodes natural, organic, plant-based lipsticks that help hydrate and heal lips while adding a pop of colour.
For the adults on your list, nourishing, natural hand cream is a classic gift. Consider calendula creams for folks with more sensitive skin or where a little extra soothing would be welcome.
5. Fun Kitchen Finds
For those who love spending time in the kitchen, consider these stylish, sustainable stocking stuffers that are sure to prove handy.
- Reusable produce bags: encourage sustainability with reusable produce bags made with certified organic cotton. They’re perfect for shopping trips to the store or farmer’s market
- Compostable sponge cloths: choose between these cute koala motif sponge cloths or colourful rainbow sponge cloths for a gift that’s practical and eco-friendly
- Natural latex dishwashing gloves: skip the synthetic gloves and go for natural materials that biodegrade at end of life.
6. Eco-Friendly Items
Show your love for the planet with eco-friendly stocking stuffers that promote sustainability.
- Sustainably sourced bath brush: made with FSC beech and with a replaceable head, this is a lovely gift for bathtime
- Plastic-free nail brush: avoid shedding microplastics and give the gift of clean nails
- Bamboo toothbrushes: a simple switch to bamboo toothbrushes helps reduce plastic waste while promoting oral health. Tonnes of fun colours available!
- Pet toothbrush: the pups on your Christmas list can enjoy a more eco-friendly toothbrush, with large and small options!
- EcoBottle 500: made using renewable energy and composed of 98% sugar cane biomass waste, this more sustainable water bottle is carbon negative, stylish, BPA-free and phthalate-free, and easy to use. Available in a variety of fun colours!
Final Festive Thoughts
When it comes to stocking stuffers, your local health food store is a fantastic place to shop. From nutritious snacks to eco-friendly items, you can find something special for everyone on your list.
This holiday season, consider filling those stockings with gifts that not only bring joy but also promote wellness and sustainability.
Happy holidays!