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Wellness is more than just a buzzword, and we can assure you it’s here to stay. As a society, we are prioritizing mental health, cleaner beauty products, better-for-you ingredients, exercise, and recovery more than ever before. Wellness has far-reaching benefits for our bodies and minds, making the best wellness gifts a truly thoughtful choice for showing appreciation to the ones you love.
“When you take the time to take care of yourself, you are not just preventing future disease but you are actually enhancing every aspect of your life,” explains Dr. Jonathan Leary, the founder and CEO of Remedy Place. When your physiology is enhanced, your body and mind run better, when your body and mind run better, this increases happiness and your ability to shine in life.”
Wellness comes in all different shapes, sizes, and forms — and seemingly basic things like sleep accessories can be real game-changers. “Something as simple as wearing an eye mask completely changed my quality of sleep,” explains The Well founder and COO Sarrah Hallock. “I live in New York City, and even with my dark shades, there were little bits of light seeping in and disrupting my sleep. Artificial light, especially at night, can suppress our melatonin levels — the hormone that helps our bodies respond to darkness. I was waking up feeling tired and groggy as I wasn’t getting good quality sleep. My little mask was a game changer.”
Suffice to say that wellness is a win-win gift-giving category. By giving the gift of wellness this holiday season, you’re inspiring a healthier lifestyle with the rush of opening a shiny new present. Our team of experts scoured the market to research and review the best wellness gifts of 2023 with style, function, and price point in mind. From a smart sleep assistant to scent-scaping essentials and weighted blankets that’ll plunk you in a state of head-to-toe relaxation, you’re bound to find some type of wellness gift for the people on your shopping list.
Keep wellness top of mind as you’re shopping for gifts for mom, gifts for women and gifts for men this winter. WWD Shop editors have vetted the below wellness gifts through careful research, so you’re sure to find a self care gift for everyone on your list — yourself, included.
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Hatch Restore 2 Alarm Clock
Tidy up their nightstand with Hatch’s smart sleep assistant: It’s a sound machine, alarm clock, reading light, and meditation app all in one. There’s a reason over 9,000 Amazon shoppers have purchased it in the past month — this high-quality sleep accessory’s special features and sleek look are simply a dream.
Editor testing and review notes: “The is absolutely one of my favorite gifts to give anyone, especially a friend or family member who struggles with restless sleep. It’s a must-have for your sleep ritual.” – Adam Mansuroglu, Director of Commerce
Price upon publish date of this article: $200
Jolie Filtered Shower Head
Ditch the minerals and metals that cause dull hair and dry skin — Jolie’s Filtered Shower Head eliminates all that and more for their freshest rinse yet.
Price upon publish date of this article: $139
Nodpod Gentle Pressure Sleep Mask
Does your wellness giftee love a weighted blanket? Do them one better with Nodpod’s Gentle Pressure Sleep Mask. The sleep mask is filled with weighted beads that apply light pressure on the eyes, helping the most restless types to drift off quickly.
Price upon publish date of this article: $27
HigherDose Sauna Blanket
This bestselling infrared sauna blanket is WWD Shop editors’ favorite way to recover after a brutal workout (and warm up on a cold winter day). It relieves sore muscles, boosts circulation, and can even help you score a better night sleep. Read our full HigherDose Sauna Blanket testing review for more info.
Price upon publish date of this article: $749
Therabody Theraface Pro
A skin care tool that anyone would be happy to unwrap, the Theraface Pro acts as a facial massager, LED light therapy mask, lifting microcurrent tool, and facial cleansing brush. So if you’re wondering if it’s worth the splurge — yes, it certainly is. They’ll get years of use out of the device and its
Editor testing and review notes: “This is my ultimate self-care tool — I use it to give myself a mini facial and massage my tight jaw after a long day. The little percussive attachment also works to loosen up knots on my neck and shoulders.” — Claire Sullivan, Senior Beauty & Lifestyle Commerce Editor
Price upon publish date of this article: $399
Whoop 4.0 Health Tracker
Whoop’s health trackers are all the rage for keeping tabs on your sleep and step count. Surprise them with the tool, plus a chic band they’ll love to wear it with: This knitted open is an elevated way to sport the device, courtesy of its sleek gold detailing.
Price upon publish date of this article: $70
Brooklinen Weighted Throw Blanket
Weighted blankets are always a welcome wellness gift for men and women, and Brooklinen’s is one of the best our WWD Shop editors have tested. A cotton shell make it long-lasting and fit for year-round use, while its 12-pound weight melts away pent-up stress.
Price upon publish date of this article: $135
The Five Minute Journal
They’ll wake up feeling grateful and confident with The Five Minute Journal at the ready. This top wellness gift has pages of prompts they can fill up with daily affirmations and personal reflections. If journaling is one of their New Year’s resolutions year after year, this is a surefire way for them to stick with the habit.
Price upon publish date of this article: $34
Tea Forte Wellbeing Organic Wellness Tea
Fill their cups in more way than one with Tea Forte’s Wellbeing Organic Wellness Tea. This set includes 10 USDA Organic teas, ranging from energizing green tea to calming herbal blends. Testers love how fresh and full-flavored each one tastes.
Price upon publish date of this article: $26
Canopy Bedside Humidifier
$120 $150 20% off
$125 $150 17% off
One way to guarantee glowing skin? A bedside humidifier that maintains moisture while you sleep. Canopy’s is petite enough to slide on a nightstand, still boasting all the bells and whistles of full-sized, double-the-price options, including a diffuser function that disperses aromatherapy-inspired scents throughout the room.
Price upon publish date of this article: $120
Cadence Travel Containers
One thing about wellness lovers: They never travel without their soothing face serums and supplements. Cadence’s nifty travel containers will keep their goods secure and organized for any yoga retreat they’re jetting off to. On top of eliminating the need for single-use plastics, the leakproof, magnetic containers are crafted with recycled plastics.
Price upon publish date of this article: $104
Bearaby Knot Pillow
Weighted blankets are popular wellness gifts that are effective for helping to reduce anxiety and improve your sleep quality. Bearaby Knot Pillows have a similar effect: Use the large size as a laptop rest or simply as something to hold during your current binge.
Price upon publish date of this article: $129
Dodow Sleep Aid Device
A big, deep breath recalibrates your system and calms a chaotic mind, but all too often, we forget to take them. Enter Dodow’s Sleep Aid Device. This discreet disk rolls through different light intensities that correspond with your inhales and exhales, training your breath to slow down so you can doze off.
Price upon publish date of this article: $55
Slip Silk Queen Gift Set
Quality sleep starts with a luxury pillow setup, and we’d be hard-pressed to pin down a brand that does silk pillowcases better than Slip. This wellness gift set includes a Queen-sized pillowcase, plus two chic scrunchies that will keep her skin soft and her hair crease-free.
Price upon publish date of this article: $81
Muse S Headband
Meditation gifts are welcome for those with a regular practice as well as rookies just getting into it. An excellent wellness gift idea for either camp, Muse’s S headband monitors your heart rate and brain activity to provide feedback on your practice while improving it.
Price upon publish date of this article: $300
Forme Studio Builder
The Forme Studio Builder is a full home gym integrated into a sleek 43-inch touch screen mirror. Each model includes a yoga mat and heart rate monitor, and you can customize it to suit your favorite workouts with add-ons like a removable wood barre or lifting equipment.
Price upon publish date of this article: $1,995
Helight Sleep Device
Red light therapy tools might be all the rage for brighter skin, but that same technology has benefits for quality shut-eye, too. The Helight Sleep emits red light wavelengths that increase your body’s natural melatonin production, encouraging sounder sleep.
Price upon publish date of this article: $139
Manduka Pro Yoga Mat
Perhaps the best wellness gift for the ones that are hard to shop for, a Manduka yoga mat will last a lifetime. The heavy, thick material is more cushioned than traditional mats, meaning they’ll be comfortable kneeling, lunging, and planking on it for minutes at a time.
Price upon publish date of this article: $114
Alo Aura Diffuser
Complete their meditation corner with this top wellness gift from Alo (yes, this brand does far more than great workout clothes). Fill the diffuser’s water tank, add a few drops of essential oils, and it’ll be the aromatherapy device of choice for anyone on your list.
Price upon publish date of this article: $68
Lyric The Therapeutic Massager
Massage guns are make some of the best wellness gifts for men, but anyone can appreciate the muscle-soothing magic of Lyric’s massager. It’s an affordable option, considering similar massagers go for triple the price, however you won’t feel short changed with the tool’s four attachments, easy-to-operate LED screen, and near-silent motor.
Price upon publish date of this article: $110
Sensate Relaxation Device
Take stress levels down a notch with Sensate’s Relaxation Device. This wearable wellness gift lightly vibrates and emits soft sounds when you place it on your chest, helping you to relax and get centered no matter how frazzled you’re feeling.
Price upon publish date of this article: $299
Verilux Happy Light
The cure for the winter blues? This Verilux Happy Light. Where most options in the happy lamp category are designed to be placed on a desk or table, this one is a bona-fide floor lamp that brightens the space and your mood.
Price upon publish date of this article: $129
The Work Wellness Deck: 60 Simple Practices to De-Stress and Recharge Wherever You Work Cards
Know someone who’s always dealing with a work crisis? Gift them this Work Wellness Card Deck, which includes prompts for mental clarity, desk-friendly physical movement, and more.
Price upon publish date of this article: $20
Bala Hourglass Roller
Level up their at-home gym with Bala’s Hourglass Roller. It’s sleeker and chicer than traditional foam rollers, while still delivering the muscle-relaxing, knot-melting benefits.
Price upon publish date of this article: $39
Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones Paperback
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones is a modern-day classic that will incentivize you to make small changes that have big impacts in the long-term. It’s been on the New York Times bestseller list for over 200 weeks since its debut.
Price upon publish date of this article: $15
Beast Blender
Say hello to the perfect — and we mean perfect — smoothie. With the touch of a button, the Beast Blender goes through a quieter blending process that uses an intermittent pulse to perfectly liquify or cream-ify your nutrients. Plus, it looks chic on any countertop.
Price upon publish date of this article: $165
Sourcebooks 2024 Instant Happy Notes Boxed Calendar
Rather than counting days, they’ll counting blessings with Sourcebooks’ Instant Happy Notes Boxed Calendar. This desk calendar features a positive affirmation for every day of the year. Bosses, listen up — this is one of the best wellness gifts for employees we’ve found.
Price upon publish date of this article: $10
APL Streamline Sneakers
More than just comfortable sneakers for women and men, APL’s Streamline Sneakers are high-performance cushioned running shoes that propel you forward for a faster, more efficient run. Their bouncy midsole is paired with a breathable upper for runs in any type of weather.
Editor testing and review notes: “They’re incredibly lightweight and deliver amazing energy return. The closest it gets to feeling like you’re walking on giant marshmallows, yet with complete control to move with ease.” – Adam Mansuroglu, Director of Commerce
Price upon publish date of this article: $320
Sens.AI Headset
Like boot camp for your brain, Sens.Ai’s headset features 12 settings for different goals, whether it’s increased clarity and focus, better sharpness at work, or a calmer headspace so you can get quality rest.
Price upon publish date of this article: $1,500
Camelbak Lobo 9 Hydration Backpack
Forget water — Camelbak Backpacks are worth their weight in gold. Yes, it’s a great gift for outdoorsmen to keep them hydrated on long hikes, but it’s also an excellent wellness gift for cyclists and runners. This one accommodates 70 ounces of water.
Price upon publish date of this article: $50
BioLite AlpenGlow Mini Light
Does the health and wellness aficionado in your life love to camp in the great outdoors? Gift them this BioLite AlpenGlow Mini Light, which they can attach to their backpacks, hammocks, or simply place inside the tent. They can cycle through white or colorful light settings, with up to 40 hours of battery life.
Price upon publish date of this article: $30
Ergatta Rower
It’s a chic fitness machine that almost feels like a video game. The Ergatta Rower is handcrafted from locally sourced cherry wood for a natural vibe through stellar high technology. You get game-based, full-body, low-impact workout challenges daily. It’s sleek, elegant and easily moveable and storable.
Price upon publish date of this article: $2499
Osea Undaria Algae Body Oil
This self-care gift for moms is enriched with Undaria seaweed, an ingredient that’ll help her skin stay in homeostasis. A botanical oil blend of passion fruit, açai, and rice bran oils lock in natural moisture for hours, while delivering a glowy, radiant finish on contact.
Price upon publish date of this article: $52
Wthn Acupressure Mat Set
Acupressure mats are a needle-free way to enjoy the calming, pain-relieving, and mind-clearing benefits of acupuncture — all in the comfort of your home. Wthn’s is a WWD Shop editor favorite for it’s slim profile that’s versatile for using in a desk chair and easy to store.
Price upon publish date of this article: $78
The Plunge Cold Plunge Tub
Cold plunging is all the rage, and Plunge takes the cake as the best luxury tub you can invest in. No need for bags of ice — this indoor- and outdoor-friendly cold plunge allows you to set the tub to your desired temperature (down to a bone-chilling 39°F) with the click of a button. It also auto filters the water so it’s fresh and ready when you are.
Price upon publish date of this article: $4,990
Jisulife Portable Neck Fan
Power walkers and gym-goers will keep their cool with Jisulife’s Portable Neck Fan. This handy, battery-operated fan has over 30,000 five-star ratings, with testers loving it during a Peloton workout or as a cure for hot flashes.
Price upon publish date of this article: $24
Eight Sleep Mattress Cover
Hot sleepers will never deal with dreaded night sweats again with Eight Sleep’s Mattress Cover — this smart sleep device features temperature-regulating technology that’ll keep things cool. On top of this, the cover generates personalized sleep reports so they can get calibrate their habits for better sleep.
Price upon publish date of this article: $2,895
Uncommon Goods My Life Story So Far
An excellent wellness gift to give to parents or grandparents, the Uncommon Goods My Life Story So Far will help them chronicle and reflect on happy memories, funny stories, and major milestones in their lives. It’s a gift for you, too, as you’ll appreciate leafing through it all once they’ve hit the last page.
Price upon publish date of this article: $35
Hugimals Weighted Stuffed Animal
Created by a health and wellness journalist, these plush stuffed animals will keep you calm. Each one weighs about five pounds, which helps deliver anxiety-reducing deep touch pressure. Expect emotional support animal-caliber cuddles.
Price upon publish date of this article: $51
The Original Buddha Board Art Set
Any kind of self care-lover will appreciate the Original Buddha Board. The water-activated canvas is endlessly reusable: Just dip the brush in water and paint away. Their masterpiece will fade as the water evaporates, which is a way for them to practice the Buddhist art of letting go.
Price upon publish date of this article: $38
CurrentBody Skin LED Lip Perfector
Beauty gurus on your wellness gifting list will be beaming when they open up CurrentBody’s red light therapy lip mask. This little device promises brighter, smoother skin around the lips, and a plumper pout to boot.
Price upon publish date of this article: $189
The Different Types of Wellness Gifts
- Wellness gifts for her: Wellness gifts for moms and girlfriends can be as simple as a flower delivery service that brings the calmness and beauty of the outdoors inside. Other wellness gifts for her include luxury bath products, a tech-forward LED face mask, or one of the best bathrobes to unwind in after a long day.
- Wellness gifts for men: The best wellness gifts for him include practical items like electric foot massagers, a cool new health tracker, or one of the top new workout machines on the market. If he’s trying to get into a meditation practice, you can always surprise him with a gift card to a meditation app.
- Wellness gifts for employees: Gift your coworkers or employees something that promotes relaxation and self care without feeling overly personal. Luxury candles are great wellness gifts for employees, as are chic, self-cleaning water bottles like Larq’s Movement Bottle. If you have a spending budget, go with something small but impactful, such as a tea gift set.
- Luxury wellness gifts: Bigger occasions, like milestone anniversaries and birthdays, call for luxury wellness gifts. Surprise someone you love with a weekend away where you two can disconnect and unwind in the great outdoors. Or give him or her a top skin care tool or sauna blanket as a wellness gift, which allows them to level-up their at-home wellness routine.
- Inexpensive wellness gifts: Health gifts and wellness gifts don’t have to cost an arm and a leg. Small workout accessories like foam rollers are excellent wellness gifts, as are self-care journals.
- Gifts for healthy eaters: Meal kit subscriptions make great gifts for healthy eaters; and there are plenty on the market to choose from today. You can also surprise him or her with an apron, a great multitasking pan, or some brand new cooking tools to get their creative juices flowing in the kitchen.
How We Chose the Best Wellness Gifts
Since 1910, WWD — often referred to as “the fashion bible” — has been the leading industry voice of authority for senior executives in the global women’s and men’s fashion, retail and beauty communities, while also informing the consumer media that cover the market. Today, WWD’s breaking news and trend coverage continues to be a trustworthy resource for both fashion insiders and consumers alike. Our shopping editors continue to uphold WWD’s editorial standards and values with quality, expert-backed product selections.
To select the best wellness gifts, we considered all aspects of how people practice wellness. Our editors included a range of self care gifts and wellness gift ideas for different types of giftees, whether it’s for a friend who wants to get in a meditation routine or a gift for mom to help her unwind after a busy week. We spoke to two wellness experts to understand the latest trends in the wellness gift space, and to get their expertise on how self care can contribute to enhanced wellbeing. We also researched the latest innovations, as well as products that have studies and research backing their benefits. Our editors tested many of these top wellness gifts to ensure they are worth the spend. For wellness gifts we didn’t test, we made sure to cross check verified customer shopping reviews.
Meet the Experts
Sarrah Hallock is the CoFounder & COO of The Well. Sarrah is also an Integrative Health Coach and Nutritionist. Prior to her career in Health and Wellness, Sarrah spent 20 years helping turn consumer products into household names. Sarrah holds a BA in International Relations & Economics from Simmons College, Health Coaching certification from Duke Integrative Medicine and the Institute of Integrative Nutrition.
Dr. Jonathan Leary is the founder and CEO of Remedy Place, the world’s first social wellness club dedicated to holistically bring their guests back into balance. He graduated at the top of his class with a Doctorate in Chiropractic Medicine that provided him with an extensive foundation in anatomy, physiology, neuroscience, clinical nutrition, and rehabilitation. Dr. Leary spent a decade researching and developing Remedy Place’s cutting-edge techniques that optimize the body’s natural ability to heal. Throughout his career, he has brought his professional expertise to a wide range of celebrities, professional and Olympic athletes, and patients from all walks of life.
Meet the Author
Claire Sullivan is the Senior Beauty and Lifestyle Commerce Editor for WWD and Footwear News. She’s spent over five years researching, reporting on, and writing about the beauty and wellness industries for publications like Martha Stewart Living, Martha Stewart Weddings, InStyle, and Byrdie. Sullivan researched the wellness market to uncover the latest health and wellness related gifts for this story, including interviews with two top wellness experts. Sullivan practices wellness by curling up in a robe, applying a face mask, and relaxing into a 10-minute meditation session.