2023 Happy Healthy Caregiver Holiday Gift Guide
Welcome to our 2023 Holiday Gift Guide, specially curated for individuals who care for their friends or family or need a gift idea for those they care about. Whether searching for thoughtful presents for family caregivers or seeking comfort and convenience for those receiving care, our guide is designed to help you discover the perfect gifts that will make this holiday season memorable. From practical and innovative solutions to heartfelt tokens of gratitude, we’ve got you covered with the latest and most meaningful gift ideas.
Below you’ll find gift ideas organized into the following categories:
- Stocking Stuffers
- Experiences over Things
- Gift Ideas for Caregivers and Care Recipients
- Self-care Must-haves
- Gifts that Keep on Giving
Small Gift Ideas for Stocking Stuffers or To Take on The Go
Looking for delightful stocking stuffers or small gift ideas that are not only easy to ship but also perfect for those on the go? In this section, I’ve handpicked a selection of compact and travel-friendly presents that are sure to bring smiles this holiday season.
Throughout the year, I look for family caregivers who have their own businesses that I can feature in gift guides.
This past year on the Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast, I chatted with Debbie Weiss who has a passion for all things hearts and started her own store called a Sprinkle of Hearts. In her store you’ll find several small items including socks, make up bags, scrunchies, and more. All with hearts, of course! Use code ‘Caregiver’ for 10% off.
Another podcast guest and sibling caregiver, Tiffany Chou, launched her brick-and-mortar Depo Market store in Maui (no easy feat considering the fires devastated their community). If you haven’t listened to this episode yet, you may not know that much of the handmade product and the business labor comes from those living with disabilities, like Tiffany’s brother, Chris. I’m in love with these Crane Origami Earrings that come in a variety of colors. Depo Market offers 15% off your order with code HHC (excluding fine jewelry).
At our October Sister’s Weekend we decided to do a favorite things party. We set a budget and requested that people bring 3 of one of their favorite things. Here’s a short YouTube video of how this went for us. One of the favorite things I brought was this lip gloss by Maybelline. It’s affordable, has great color, texture, an smell. I’m also linking to a few of the other items people brought include Peeps eyeglass cleaner, LaLicious sugar scrub and body butter combo and Boom stick for quick lip and cheek tint.
Experiences over Things
If your gift receiver has quality time as their love language, then an activity you do together may be the best option. Here are a few ideas:
- live music or theater event
- cooking class
- sporting event
- dinner and a movie
- thrill adventures like skydiving, jeep tour, parasailing, or hot air balloon ride
- weekend getaway
Gift Ideas for Caregivers and Care Recipients
Every month a non-profit organization I work with, Daughterhood, has virtual support Circles for caregivers. Before one of our leader calls, we received some yummy treats from Boomerang Bites. Once I nibbled on my greatest hits box, I knew I had to share them in this gift guide. I like the idea of a consumable gift for those who don’t need anything or have little space for extra stuff. The sweet dense deliciousness of each bite is guaranteed to brighten someone’s day. Available in a wide range of flavors, including vegan and gluten free options there is something to satisfy even the most discerning tastebuds. Use code HHC10 for 10% off your order.
My friend Ashley launched her company, The Scripture Store, this year. Her mission is to help people memorize, wear, and share the Gospel. She offers clothing, home decor, bibles, and items for children. She is also offering the Happy Healthy Caregiver community a promo code! Use HHC15 to save 15% off your first order.
Supporting small businesses is where it’s at! My girlfriends Tammy and Megan started their own Etsy shop called FunFriendzyFinds. In their shop, you’ll find gifts for writers, wine drinkers, pet owners, pickleball players, and more!
What caregiver or care recipient do you know that couldn’t use a hug?!? This HUG – Comforting Companion is always ready and willing to give or receive a hug.
Self-care Must-haves
I enjoy introducing people to new self-care tools and encourage them to try them on to see how they make them feel. In one of the HHC Virtual Cafes this year, we learned how to Zentangle. The Zentangle Method is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. Here’s some basic Zentangle supplies that will help someone get started. Another affordable meditative self-care tool is my Just For You: A Daily Self Care Journal.
As family caregivers and care recipients, sometimes we are trying to sleep or rest in less than ideal situations. My girlfriend Tammy introduced me to this portable sound machine that plays three different types of white noises. My favorite is the ocean waves – I think our dogs like it, too!
A clock with task alerts can be a perfect practical self-care gift. Simple clocks like the one offered by Relish allow older adults and persons with dementia to support living independently at home longer. An alarm will sound when there is a task to complete (e.g. take medicine, eat a meal, feed dog, etc. ) and it will track which items have been checked off or missed. Use code HDR15 to save 15% off your 2023 order.
I got this facial spray as a gift and I was skeptical. If I wash my face twice a day, why would I need a hydrating spray?! Then, I started using it and now I feel the difference. While my face is clean it is still thirsty for hydration. There are other brands out there but this facial spray from La Roche-Posay may be the trend setter.
Maybe someone on your list misses the smell of a real holiday tree? These candles come in fir, cedarwood, and spruce scent and the jar is gorgeous, too. Besides tree scents, there is also lavender, bergamot, vanilla, and more.
Gifts that Keep on Giving
What if I told you that holiday fun doesn’t have to end with the holiday season? These gifts keep on giving!
One of my favorite Christmas Eve traditions is wrapping up a family game for to open up and play throughout the holiday season. Last holiday season, my sister and her family introduced us to two new group games we’ve been playing this past year – Linkee and Hey Robot One thing you need to know about the Hey Robot game is that it requires using a smart speaker – essentially you need Alexa or Google Home to be a part of your team.
You may know of Ageless Innovations for the Joy for All Pets gifts I have mentioned in previous gift guides. Well, they have expanded their product offerings! Their interpretations of classic games encourage intergenerational play with multi-threaded, age-appropriate storylines, easy-to-grasp pieces, and easy-to-read text. Use code HHC15 to save 15% off your order of pets or games.
Give the gift of caregiver support that lasts all year long. If someone you know is caring for a loved one, show you care with a full year of personalized support, straight to their phone. A Help Texts subscription is a thoughtful, supportive gift that lasts much longer than flowers or casseroles. Your gift recipient will receive ongoing, expert text support for 12 months personalized to their unique situation. As a Happy Healthy Caregiver Community member, receive $10 off the annual subscription.
I’m obsessed with Nuuly! I was in a clothing rut – buying similar black shirts and combing the sale racks for something with style that didn’t break my budget. As a professional speaker and content creator, I also don’t want to always wear the same thing over and over. Nuuly has been a great solution for me and I think it has elevated my wardrobe without increasing my clothing budget. Unlike some subscription clothing companies where a stylist picks out the clothes, I get to curate a virtual closet of name brand items I want to rent. I wear the clothes for a month and send them back dirty! Each month, I select 6 items based on what I have going on that month. I have found much joy in Nuuly and it’s allowing me to be bolder with my clothing choices. If I fall in love with an item, I can opt to purchase it at the used clothing price. Here’s a try-on video from one of my Nuuly hauls.
Still don’t think you’ve found the perfect gift? Maybe check out the Happy Healthy Caregiver Amazon Store or last year’s gift idea list.
