20 Gifts that Encourage Mindfulness and Meaning

Holiday shopping can be stressful; there’s no doubt about it—especially if you don’t plan ahead. Our culture has put such pressure on us to buy and consume around the holiday season. Unnecessary stress can come from financial pressures and finding the perfect gifts, to fighting crowds and traffic.

But the holiday season does not have to put such a heavy strain on your wallet, your schedule, or your sanity. Consider these gift ideas this year — gifts that encourage mindfulness, promote relaxation and a present state of being, and will have a positive impact on the giftee’s life (even if just in some small way). Most of these recommended gifts range from $4 to $50 in price, so they won’t break your bank either.

Whether you’re shopping for your sister, brother, parents, boss, in-laws, neighbor, teacher, friend, coworker or hairdresser, you’ll be sure to crack a smile and heartfelt “thank you” when you gift something more meaningful this season. Check out these handpicked gifts that encourage mindfulness — from small stocking stuffers to larger presents — for your people this holiday season.

Mindful Minutes Gift Pick #1: A Deck of Affirmation Cards

Give someone the gift of positivity! There are so many beautiful decks to choose from on the market today, from affirmations and quotes to self-help and stress-less tips. Most of them are covered in beautiful colors and illustrations, with powerful words to help you find your inner strength. Here are a few of my favorite decks.

• Price: Ranging from $13-$16
• The Universe Has Your Back: Transform Fear to Faith by Gabrielle Bernstein
• Power Thought Cards by Louise Hay
• Crazy Sexy Love Notes by Kris Carr

Mindful Minutes Gift Pick #2: Wood Pallet Wall Art

Inspirational phrases designed on a 21″x18″ piece of pinewood.

• Price: $43
• Buy the Gift 

Mindful Minutes Gift Pick #3: The Five Minute Journal

Use the science of positive psychology to start your day—a powerful way to increase overall happiness levels in your life.

• Price:$22.95 
• Buy the Gift

Mindful Minutes Gift Pick #4: A Singing Bowl

Enjoy the rich tones of a Tibetan singing bowl. The sounds and vibrations from singing bowls are known to promote relaxation and other powerful healing properties. This is certainly one of those gifts that encourage mindfulness!

• Price: Ranging from $25-$40
• Check out this selection of Tibetan singing bowls from Lamajo

Mindful Minutes Gift Pick #5: Zen Sand Garden

A mini version of the traditional Japanese meditative garden, one of the perfect gifts that encourage mindfulness for the office or home.

• Price: $24.99
• Buy the Gift 

Mindful Minutes Gift Pick #6: A Tree of Life Journal

A journal covered with  a tree of life, perfect for personal reflection, sketching, note-taking, and jotting down your favorite quotes and poems. Here are my favorites:

• Price: Ranging from $8.99 – $30
• Vegan Leather Tree of Life Journal
• Refillable Writing Journal
• Lightly Lined and Colorful Journal
• Refillable Faux Leather Cover, Great for Travel
• Recycled, Green Journal

Mindful Minutes Gift Pick #7: Master Your Mind Meditation Course

An in-depth, 5-week meditation course perfect for the new meditator. Learn five techniques and get practical tools to design a daily practice.

• Price:$77
• Buy the Gift 

Mindful Minutes Gift Pick #8: A Pack of Blank Notecards

It’s always great to have notecards on-hand for birthday, hellos, thank yous, and everyday messages.

• Tree of Life, 4 designs, set of 24 for $14.99
• Inspirational Sayings for All Occasions, set of 10 for $9.98

Mindful Minutes Gift Pick #9: A Mindful Coloring Book

There are tons of adult coloring books on the market today that encourage mindfulness. Here are a few of my favorites:

• Price: Ranging from $4-8
• In the Forest: From forest scenes to hedgehogs, to mushrooms and flowers…
• Mindful Mandalas: Calming mandala designs and patterns
• Good Vibes Coloring Book: 30 relaxing and creative art activities for beginners
• Inspirational Quotes: Full of motivational sayings and positive affirmations
• Pocket Size Color for Calm: A mini coloring book
• The  Mindfulness Coloring Book: Anti-stress art therapy for busy people

Mindful Minutes Gift Pick #10: A Plant

Hit your local farmers market, flower shop, or nursery and pick up an indoor plant. Succulents, orchids, Philodendron, and English ivy are my favorites. 

Mindful Minutes Gift Pick #11: Mala Beads

Mala beads make great gifts for the spiritually-minded giftee. Choose a stone, color and style that suits them best.

• Selection of malas on Amazon, many under $20
• Selection of malas on Etsy—handmade and unique, although a little pricier.

Mindful Minutes Gift Pick #12: A Scented Candle

Who doesn’t love a new fresh scented candle for the house? Here are a few scents that I find particularly calming: Mrs. Meyers Clean Day scented soy candle comes in a variety of fresh scents and burns for 25 hours.

• Price Ranging from $8-20
• Mrs. Meyers Clean Day Geranium Candle
• Livin’ Legend Natural French Lavender Candle 
• Bath & Body Works Eucalyptus + Spearmint Candle

Mindful Minutes Gift Pick #13: Tea Set

Numi tea is my favorite, they use the best flavors and ingredients, and their teas are chock full of health benefits. Their flowering gift set includes tea and a glass teapot.

• Price: $25
• Buy the Gift

Besides this, any tea set or collection would make a great gift, especially if you select flavors and spices that the giftee especially likes.

Mindful Minutes Gift Pick #14: Wind Chime

Simple wood chime with capiz shells, great for the garden.

• Price: $13.50
• Buy the Gift

Mindful Minutes Gift Pick #15: My Intent Jewelry

Create a bracelet or necklace with a meaningful word or phrase (an “intention”) for your giftee.

• Price: Varies by style
• Buy the Gift 

Mindful Minutes Gift Pick #16: Mindful Magazine Subscription

A one-year subscription of my favorite magazine.

• Price: $29.95
• Buy the Gift 

Mindful Minutes Gift Pick #17: Inspirational Books

I always get excited when someone gifts me a new book. Here are 15 of my absolute favorites in the mindfulness realm.

• The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World   by the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu
• The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself  by Michael Singer
• The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom  by Don Miguel Ruiz
• Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less   by Greg McKeown
• Triggers: Creating Behavior That Lasts—Becoming the Person You Want to Be  by Marshall Goldsmith and Mark Reiter
• Real Happiness: The Power of Meditation  by Sharon Salzberg
• A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of ‘A Course in Miracles’  by Marianne Williamson
• Buddha in Blue Jeans: An Extremely Short Simple Zen Guide to Sitting Quietly  by Tai Sheridan
• The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are  by Brene Brown
• The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment  by Eckart Tolle
• The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success: A Practical Guide to the Fulfillment of Your Dreams  by Deepak Chopra
• The Alchemist  by Paulo Coelho
• 10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, and Found Self-Help That Actually Works  by Dan Harris
• Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life with the Heart of the Buddha  by Tara Brach
• Wherever You Go, There You Are  by Jon Kabat-Zinn

This list wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t mention the book I wrote! A perfect gift idea for the busy person who wants to learn to meditate, The Type A’s Guide to Mindfulness: Meditation for Busy Minds and Busy People.

Mindful Minutes Gift Pick #18: Yoga Class Pack

If your giftee practices yoga, find out their favorite studio and gift them a class pack. This is the time of year many studios offer discounts and sales, so take advantage!

Mindful Minutes Gift Pick #19: Homemade Gift

Make someone a tray of cookies. Design a necklace. Write a poem or letter. Create a homemade tea with special ingredients they would especially like. Draw a picture. Put together photos to make a scrapbook or framed photo. Get creative and make something with thought and intention—who doesn’t love thoughtful, homemade gifts that encourage mindfulness and meaning?!

Mindful Minutes Gift Pick #20: Make a Donation

Find out if your giftee supports a particular non-profit and make a donation on their behalf. If they don’t have a particular non-profit they support, consider these ideas:

• COMPASSION IT: A non-profit focusing on inspiring compassionate actions and attitudes. Make a donation to support compassion education around the world. You can even join a friend to become a monthly Compassion It advocate and receive monthly lessons!
• Plant a Tree: The Nature Conservancy is focusing on restoring forests around the world. Support the environment by planting a tree on your giftee’s behalf.