

Gift Guide 2020: The Perfect Ideas for Relaxation, Rejuvenation, and Renewal
It’s around that time of year again when we have to start thinking of what to buy for the special people in your life. The holidays may look a tad different this year—and so will our gifts.
While there’s no magic wand that makes 2021 look like pre-pandemic 2019, we polled you all on Instagram to find out what brought you joy or comfort throughout the "damn shit show,” “test in patience,” “cluster fuck,” “mess,” “crazy a$$ freaking time,” and “unforgettable dumpster fire” that was 2020 (or, as one of you put it, “like stepping on a Lego”).
That said, here is the 2020 Gift Guide for Relaxation, Rejuvenation, and Renewal (for every type of person in your life).

For the "I let things build up to the point I need to be reminded to breathe" person...
- Send them on a journey with a virtual guided meditation or yoga class
- Go touchless at the spa with salt therapy, compression therapy, a float tank session, or infrared sauna
- Up their nap game with a weighted blanket or comfy PJ set
- Get ready for movie night with a popcorn machine
We all know someone like this. Or maybe we know someone who has just become this person recently due to added stress. The perfect type of gift for a person like this?
Dedicated self-care time. 30 minutes or an hour of uninterrupted time for relaxing, something they may not make time for themselves. This can be in the form of a virtual guided meditation or yoga class, or a touchless spa treatment such as salt therapy, compression therapy, a float tank session, or time in an infrared sauna. Plus, a lot of you said your guilty pleasure was napping, sleeping in, or binge-watching TV shows. Consider getting this person a weighted blanket, comfy PJ set, or popcorn machine to encourage some rest time!

For the "I just need some sense of normal, please" person...
- Get ready for New Years with a makeover
- Go big with a blowout
- Transform their yard with a firepit
- Give them their summer back with an airbrush tan
Maybe they have the whole relaxation thing down, but they really just want to feel a sense of normalcy right now. Get them an airbrush tan so they can pretend they actually had a summer this year, or maybe a blowout or makeover for their holiday dinner or New Year's celebration (even if it’s virtual!). Or, if they have a backyard, and they’re typically a big camper, get them a firepit they can set up and make s’mores on! It’s the little things.

For the "Everything's fine (but definitely could be better)" person...
- Pamper them with a face mask
- Set the mood with a bath bomb
- Bring the salon home with nail polish
- Get cozy with fuzzy slippers
- Find ambiance with scented candles
- Treat them with ice cream and/or chocolate
Similar to the “lets things build up” person, but very different. This person looks like they’re absolutely killing this whole COVID thing. But you’ve noticed they haven’t taken any time for themself in a while. For this person, we suggest looking on retail sites of your local salons and spas and putting together a little gift basket perfect for pampering. Include a hair mask, a face mask, a bath bomb, some nail polish, scented candles, fuzzy slippers...all the workings for a perfect spa night in. Don’t forget to ask their family members or roommates to help make sure they have a night uninterrupted. Oh, and definitely throw in some ice cream or chocolate. Those have been a big hit this year.

For the "I wanna look super great on Zoom" person...
- Get them selfie-ready with a ring light
- Show of their smile with some bright lipstick
- Smooth their skin with a facial or moisturizer (no beauty filter needed!)
- Fix those flyaways with a hair treatment
- Get spiffy from the waist up with a nice new shirt
- Create a Zoom background paradise with some new office plants
Just because we’re all working from home, doesn’t mean big presentations and important meetings have been canceled. And sometimes, lighting does not do us any favors on those Zoom calls. For someone who needs a little help in this department, consider ring lights, bright lipstick, moisturizer, facials, hair treatments, a nice shirt (pants not necessary), or even some items to spruce up their background (you can never go wrong with plants).

For the “I should finally start a business” entrepreneur person...
- Get fancy with a standing desk
- Get mobile with wireless headphones
- Get classy with artwork/ décor
- Get comfy with a nice new office chair
- Get caffeinated with an espresso machine
- Get insights with a new book
For many, 2020 has been a year of slowing down and rethinking priorities. Maybe you know someone who has taken this time to finally dive back into their dream of starting a business, or maybe they already have and could use some additional support! For this person, consider getting them some practical items to create an awesome home office space. Many of you invested in standing desks, wireless headphones, artwork/décor, or nice, comfy office chairs to make your space welcoming and your attitude productive. One of you even bought a $600 espresso machine—we’re jealous. And if their goal is to start a wellness business—or gain some insights from a successful entrepreneur—you may want to gift them with Building a Wellness Business That Lasts: How to Make a Great Living Doing What You Love, written by Mindbody’s founder, Rick Stollmeyer.
For the “I don’t need new hobbies” person...
- Just get them wine
We can’t finish this guide without acknowledging the huge number of responses that mentioned wine. Some of you even put it into the hobbies category (hey, we respect it). If you’re considering a gift that keeps on giving, think about a wine delivery subscription—or just a one-time large quantity of wine.
For anyone else...
Consider these gifts as a show of support for the salons and spas that have kept you well this year and before.
- Swag from your favorite studios (sweatshirts, yoga pants, resistance bands, etc.)
- Beauty products from the best salons (hair products, manicure kits, skincare, etc.)
- Spa essentials from your local wellness businesses (essential oils, candles, face masks, etc.)
This year is a strange one, to say the least, and we’re doing our best to remind one another that we’re all in this together. So just because your holidays might look a little different this year, don’t forget to show your loved ones you care by giving the gift of wellness (whatever it may look like).