Gift Ideas for Mindful People

By Dana Gornall

The holidays are surrounding us.

Whether you celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas, Bodhi Day or Kwanza, December is packed full of holidays, which means a lot of gift giving and shopping. While some of us are firmly rooted in the: holidays are not about material things camp, it’s also nice to bestow something on those we care about. There is just something magical about shopping for just the right thing, wrapping it up in shiny paper and a bow, and seeing your loved one’s face when they unwrap that special thing.

Walking around an event this weekend titled: OM for the Holidays, I got to thinking about what type of gifts would be perfect for the person who practices yoga, meditation, Buddhism, or even just mindfulness. So without further adieu, here are a few gift ideas for the mindful person in your life.

Breathe in Breath Out, Move On

I have a bunch of mugs in my kitchen cupboard. Among the array of sizes, shapes and colors, I have a few favorites. I’m a morning coffee drinker so one of the first things I do in the morning is open my kitchen cupboard and choose a mug, and when I have a mug that makes me smile, it seems to help set the tone for the day. This little mug has a nice reminder: Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On. What better words to start someone’s morning?

Yoga/Meditation Ornaments

I actually got to see these at the event I attended this past weekend. These ornaments are quality made and there are so many poses to choose from. Whether you wanted a classic lotus meditation pose or a backbend, these are cute and affordably priced. I do wish they had one some male yoga practitioners too, for the guy yogis. Purchase these ornaments here on Etsy.

Zafu/Meditation Cushion

Sitting for 10 minutes or an hour can sometimes get a little uncomfortable. A zafu is a meditation cushion that props up the hips so that knees can rest comfortably on the floor below the hips. There are so many beautiful styles and types, whether your friend or family member likes a solid color or a beautiful print, they comes in all sizes and shapes and even ones that can fold up! Some practitioners prefer a meditation bench to a cushion, which raises us up even higher off the ground.

Mala Beads

Mala beads are used for meditating, and some people like to wear them as bracelets. I know for myself, I often wear a mala bracelet as a reminder to breathe, to keep my mind focused and as a trigger for my practice. There are so many styles of malas out there. Just look a few up on Etsy or Amazon to see the array of colors and beads. The one pictured can be bought here.

Sustainable environment-friendly lunch bag kit

Is your mindful friend all about protecting the environment? This cool lunch kit has beeswax strips that are used to wrap up food for lunch in lieu of not-so-environment-friendly plastic wrap. Not only are they reusable, but they have antibacterial qualities and are washed using plain water and a little dish soap. Affordable and perfect for the eco-conscious people in your life.

Spire Stone

Do you know someone who loves tech gadgets and mindfulness? This is similar to a FitBit but it’s for mindfulness tracking.By sensing your respiration and tracking it on your smart phone, the Spire Stone helps you notice when your body is feeling off. This also counts your steps and can monitor your calories if you choose to do that. It even has a few guided meditations for those that prefer listening to a calming voice. Purchase the Spire Stone here.

Oil, incense and other smelly things

This can be tricky, so it’s best to really know your friend or family member before testing these waters. Some people love incense, others hate it. Some love candles or oil. Diffusers come in all styles and some even can be plugged into your car. If you aren’t sure, ask. Gift cards also work.

Books, books books

There are soooo many books out there on meditation. Whether someone is new to meditation and would prefer a simple how-to book without Buddhism or spirituality (like this one) or your friend is more into meditation with a healthy dose of Buddha thrown in (like this one), there are literally hundreds to choose from.

Photo: Source

Feature Photo: Source

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