[Unless otherwise stated, all items have been bought by Quaere Ltd and gifted to people in exchange for honest feedback over the life of the product.]
Regular readers will know that I’m passionate about nurturing wellness—not just for myself but for those around me. For me, wellness is so much more than just the absence of disease - it’s about caring for every aspect of life: physical, mental, emotional, social, and intellectual – as well as living in harmony with the environment.
While the consumerism of Christmas can feel overwhelming, I still love the joy of giving and receiving thoughtful, meaningful, and useful gifts. For me, the most satisfying gifts that I’ve given are ones that are used and enjoyed over a long period time, and that genuinely enhance someone’s life. With that in mind, I’ve put together a few ideas for gifts, from cheap to expensive, that have brought real value to me or my loved ones. I hope these suggestions inspire you to find gifts that truly support the people you care about this Christmas.
❤️
Sleep Gifts
Sleep is the cornerstone of wellness, with over 1,300 studies published this year alone highlighting its importance for everything from mental health to strong relationships. If you're curious, you can explore the research here.
We all know the basics of good sleep hygiene—limit phone use before bed, stick to a regular sleep schedule, avoid late-day caffeine, etc —but let’s be honest, sometimes we just can’t do all the things. That’s why I’ve put together a list of gifts I’ve either given or received that have genuinely helped improve sleep.
White Noise Machine
I can wholeheartedly recommend a white noise machine for better sleep—it’s been a game-changer for me. These machines create a consistent sound that masks distractions like traffic or barking dogs, making it easier to fall and stay asleep, especially in noisy environments. There’s solid scientific backing for their benefits too. I bought mine on Amazon back in 2016, and it’s been running almost non-stop for eight years—a small investment for years of better rest! You can find it here.
Black Out Mask
Blackout masks are a simple gift I initially bought for myself and loved so much I started gifting them to others. They block out light, helping your body produce melatonin—the hormone that signals it’s time to sleep—so you can fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.
I’ve tried many masks over the years, from pricey options to budget-friendly ones, and found that the simplest, cheapest ones often work best. This one is light, comfortable, and does a great job at blocking out light—perfect for creating a cosy, restful sleep environment.
Headspace App Subscription
Sometimes it’s clear when a friend is struggling, but knowing how to help can be tricky. One gift I’ve given that was genuinely appreciated is a subscription to the Headspace app. It’s a fantastic wellness tool that supports mental health through mindfulness and meditation. Headspace offers plenty of sleep aids too, like guided meditations, soothing sleepcasts, calming music, and white noise. Right now, Headspace is running a 50% off sale on annual subscriptions, making it just £25—a thoughtful and affordable way to give someone the gift of calm and rest.
Beautiful Bedding
There’s something undeniably luxurious about slipping into a beautifully made bed with high-quality, freshly laundered bedding—it instinctively feels like a treat that enhances sleep. In fact, research shows that the right bedding can improve sleep quality.
Although bedding is a personal choice, with a bit of discreet research into someone’s taste, it can make a thoughtful and hugely appreciated gift. I’ve often turned to Rise & Fall for this—a UK-based company offering luxurious bedding made in the same factories as premium brands but at far more accessible prices. With their current Black Friday deals, this could be the perfect opportunity to give the gift of comfort and better sleep.
Grooming Gifts
Good grooming isn’t just about appearance—it’s a powerful way to support mental well-being. Research shows that taking care of yourself, whether through a skincare routine, a fresh haircut, or good hygiene, can boost self-esteem and even reduce feelings of depression. Declining grooming, on the other hand, is often linked to barriers in recovery and social engagement.
Grooming isn’t vanity—it’s self-care that can uplift and empower. With so many grooming gift ideas out there (just check the Boots website!), I wanted to share two standout gifts I’ve given. These weren’t just appreciated; they made a lasting positive difference for the recipients, giving them a real confidence boost and lasting enjoyment.
Songai Subscription
Probably the very best grooming gift I’ve ever given is a yearlong Korean skincare mask subscription from UK based company Songai. Every month for a whole year, my friend receives an exciting parcel of 5 skincare sheet masks from Korea – and every month, my friend is given a little grooming fun and is reminded how much I care about her.
My friend is now 6 months into her subscription, and the parcels are diligently sent out at the start of each month, arrive quickly, are beautifully packaged, and well curated.
I’ve been so impressed with the company, and the super-fast customer service, that I’ve teamed up with Songai to provide you with an exclusive 25% discount on all their products, including their yearlong subscription. This makes the yearlong subscription much more affordable. Simply buy anything through this link or use the code QUAERELIVING to claim your 25% discount.*
IPL Device
Body hair reduction is a key part of grooming for many people, including cyclists, swimmers, and bodybuilders. One of the most luxurious gifts I’ve ever given is the Philips Lumea 8000 IPL Hair Removal Device. IPL uses light to target melanin in hair follicles, heating and damaging them to slow regrowth. Multiple sessions are needed to catch hairs in the anagen (growth) phase for the best results.
While IPL isn’t necessarily a permanent solution—hair follicles can regenerate—it’s an excellent option for those who regularly engage in hair removal. Right now, the model I bought is on sale at Boots with a great points deal, making it a thoughtful and practical gift, with a bonus treat for yourself!
Comfort Gifts
Remember when the Danish concept of hygge—that cozy, comforting vibe—was everywhere? I’m still a huge fan, especially in winter. On a freezing night, when the darkness closes in, there’s nothing better than curling up in a warm, softly lit, comfy nook with a good book, a cup of tea, and some chill music. Creating that cosy atmosphere makes the colder, darker days feel less dreary and more like a treat. Here are a two items that I’ve gifted that have contributed to that hygge vibe.
Heated Throw
Recently, I’ve been gifting the most luxurious electric faux fur blankets, and they’ve been a hit. These blankets make reading or TV time extra cosy. Even better, they’re incredibly cheap to run. In fact, some friends have reported back to me that with their blanket, they didn’t need to turn on their central heating during the recent freezing weather here in the UK – which has been a considerable cost saving. Boots has a fantastic deal on them right now—perfect for gifting (or treating yourself)!
Tea
No hygge session would be complete without a hot drink of some sort. I have been obsessed with tea since I was about 8 years old. Starting with caffeine free roasted barley tea (mugicha) in Japan when I was very little, to now, when I drink a huge variety of teas every day including ceremonial matcha and other green teas, herbal teas, and beautiful black teas, such as golden flower orange pekoe from Sri Lanka or the gorgeous smoky Lapsang Souchong from Fujian province.
I have quite a few tea connoisseur friends, and we regularly gift each other interesting teas that we’ve discovered – from high quality matchas or senchas , to interesting supermarket herbal teas, more unusal herbal teas, or even supermarket black teas that are unexpectedly good. Tea is a great gift, because it can be very affordable or super expensive. Sometimes, you just want to give someone a little something to cheer them up, and a nice, non-expensive tea can set just the right tone. I given all of the ones I've linked as gifts from the very expensive to the very cheap, and would always love to receive any of these myself - infact, I'm drinking the Waitrose own brand loose leaf earl grey tea, as I'm typing this.
Fitness Gifts
Sports Watches
Physical fitness has always been a cornerstone of wellness, and while you can’t work out for someone else, you can make it more appealing. Years ago, I got my tech-obsessed husband into running by gifting him a quality sports watch from Polar—a gift that turned out to be a great investment in his health and happiness. These gifts can be pricey, but they’re worth considering as a shared family/friends investment for a loved one.
While Garmin dominates the market, I’m a fan of Polar watches. After seeing how much my husband was enjoying using his watch, I bought myself the entry level Polar M430, which was perfect for my needs. After many years, I recently upgraded to the Polar Ignite 2. The Polar Ignite 2 blends fitness and functionality with a design that you can wear to work – unlike the Polar M430 which is unashamedly a chunky, sports watch.
Polar watches connect to the fantastic Polar Flow app – which is free – not always a given with fitness tech. The Polar Flow app is user-friendly enough for fitness newbies, yet detailed enough for pros. One feature I particularly love is the proprietary recovery tracking - helping me avoid overtraining and injury—a lifesaver for someone like me who tends to push too hard.
If you’re thinking about a health-focused gift, now’s a great time. Polar watches are currently on sale for Black Friday, making them even more accessible.
Gym Membership
A gym membership can be a thoughtful way to encourage loved ones to get fit and healthy. Affordable options like Buzz Gym and Pure Gym cost around £20 per month, depending on discounts, and provide everything most people need—functional fitness areas, classes, machines, and free weights in clean, well-equipped spaces.
Alternatively, you could treat yourself to a membership and use the Buddy system both gyms offer. This allows you to bring a friend or loved one along for free once a week, making fitness a shared activity that’s fun and motivating.
All images - other than the image of the Headspace App, the Sonagi subscription, the IPL device, the images in the Polar section and the images of Pure gym - © C. Flutsch.
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You might find further inspiration for gifts in my previous gift list suggestions, which you can find here.
