Giving the perfect gift and seeing that look of pure gratitude on someone’s face is one of the greatest feelings. Finding the perfect gift is another story. To help you make this holiday season more joyful and less stressful, here’s my 2018 gift guide for self-help fans, friends & family! I’m so excited to share what I love with you, so you can pay that love forward.

Please note: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means if you click and buy something through the link, I might receive a small commission as a "thank you" for sharing. I only share things I like, that I think you'd like too. You can learn more here. Thanks for your support!

2018 Gift Guide for Self-Help Friends & Family

Good Vibes

1. Light Therapy Lamp

Light therapy can improve your mood and your quality of sleep by resetting your circadian rhythm — especially helpful during the dark winter months. Here’s a bestselling portable version and its companion full-size version.

2. Essential Oil Diffuser & Oils

I have this basic diffuser and I love it (and it’s reasonably priced). My mom has this wood grain diffuser and it’s beautiful and also has a ton of great reviews.

AnnMarie Gianni has an essential oil gift set that’s oh, so lovely or you can get the sample kit if you just need a little something extra. I would also recommend Mountain Rose Herbs. Wherever you purchase essential oils, make sure they’re of the highest quality: 100% pure, organic, therapeutic grade.

3. Himalayan Salt Rock Lamp

I wrote about how much I love these lamps (and why) here, but essentially they emit a calming aura and contribute to a more peaceful environment. Since I have a lamp in every room, there are a few versions I recommend: medium-sized salt lamps that you’ve probably seen around, the salt lamp basket (a little fancier), and these awesome little night lights.

4. Inspirational Decals

I love these reusable decals from Grounded Goodness — packed with a positive punch! You can even get them to put on your presents or include in an inspirational gift basket.

5. Coloring Pages

Coloring is a great way to relax before bedtime (or anytime) no matter your age. Here’s an inspirational coloring book with motivational quotes and sayings, and here are two more that are for adults only: to cheer you up and calm you down (with some spunk).

Books, from Yours Truly

6. Sleep Affirmations: 200 Phrases for a Deep and Peaceful Sleep

My debut book! Perfect for anyone you know who talks about how much sleep they need while sipping on their large coffee. This book will give them something soothing to fall asleep with versus their own wild thoughts.

Get Sleep Affirmations here.

7. Sleep Rituals: 100 Practices for a Deep and Peaceful Sleep

Sleep Rituals is full of down-to-earth wisdom and practices to help you prepare for your best night of sleep. There’s something for everyone in here: from a tea ceremony to a crystal meditation, yoga poses and space cleansing rituals.

Get Sleep Rituals here.

8. Morning Affirmations: 200 Phrases for an Intentional and Openhearted Start to the Day

Wouldn’t it be nice to wake up on the bright side of the bed, day after day? Give that gift to the ones you love (or the ones who could really use it!). This book is a followup of Sleep Affirmations and offers beautiful, poetic phrases to wake up with and ensure you’re starting the day in the best way possible.

Get Morning Affirmations here. 

Natural Beauty & Self-Care

9. Annmarie Skin Care Gift Bundles

Annmarie has my favorite skin care of all time. This line of handcrafted, organic & wildcrafted products has pure ingredients and powerful results. You couldn’t pay me to go back to what I was using before this. The bundles make amazing, thoughtful gifts for anyone who’s ready to glow; here are a few:

Balance Gift Set: softening and rejuvenating for all skin types, including sensitive: includes Aloe Herb Cleanser, Ayurvedic Facial Scrub, Purifying Mud Mask, Neroli Toning Mist, and Herbal Facial Oil.

Restore Essentials Gift Set: a trio of best-selling products for beautifully radiant skin: Anti-Aging Serum, Anti-Aging Eye Cream, and Anti-Aging Facial Oil.

Beauty Tea Blend: not a gift set, but for anyone who loves a warm mug of comfort, Annmarie says this “heart-hugging potion is a soul sister to our herb-obsessed skin care.” Featuring organic, hand-selected yerba mate, nettle, and horsetail to help you glow from within.

Natural Minerals Multi-Purpose Foundation Sample Kit: all eight shades of non-toxic foundation; let your giftee decide which shade best suits their skin tone, and use the others as a highlighter, lowlighter, bronzer, or eyeshadow.

10. Morrocco Method Hair & Skin Care

MM uses pure, raw ingredients and no artificial fragrances. I’ve praised their facial scrub before — I love all of their products. Give the gift of healthy, natural hair and skin care — here’s what I think makes a good intro to their line:

Healthy Hair Starter Collection: perfect for people ready to transition from chemical hair care into nourishing, raw, vegan, and gluten-free hair care products: includes all 5 shampoos, all 6 conditioners (rinse-out and leave-in), sample styling gel and facial scrub, and scalp massager.

Spa Detox Facial Gift Set: soothes, brightens and firms skin tone, and feels heavenly for the skin (or whole body): includes Feng Shea Face Scrub, Zen Detox Mask, Diamond Crystal Mist, and Euro Oil.

100% Boar Bristle Brushes: for a healthy scalp and nourished strands, go with the mixed fibers for thick, curly hair or the pure boar brush for fine, straight hair.

11. Natural Mascara

W3LL PEOPLE’s natural mascara is more than a treat, it’s something you can feel good about putting on your lashes: it’s even better when it’s a gift from someone who knows how much you care about natural self-care. Makes a great stocking stuffer!

Meaningful Clothing & Jewelry

12. Therapy Threads

Feel-good accessories with a purpose: including aromatherapy scarves, aromatherapy jewelry, essential oils, positive t-shirts, and a special Self Care collection. 10% of profits go toward NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), dedicated to building better lives for millions affected by mental illness. I’m proud to be part of their Self Care Club!

13. Love Your Melon

Hats and blankets on a mission to improve the lives of children battling cancer. 50% of net profit from all products goes toward the Love Your Melon Fund to support nonprofit partners in the fight against pediatric cancer.

14. Herbivore Clothing

I love their Compassion Is Invincible shirts and other accessories. The company makes and sells cruelty-free clothing, cookbooks, wallets, stickers, bags, art, jewelry and more.

15. Intentional Jewelry

Zenned Out: awaken your inner goddess; lots of moons and starry designs.

Chupi: delicate gold jewelry and modern engagement rings.

Rock and Raw: designed to raise your vibration with the highest-quality crystals (for splurging!).

Satya: mandala necklaces, birthstone, and celestial collections that are intention-based.

Jewels of Saraswati: custom mala creations.

The Gift of Writing

These are for the writers at heart, the ones working towards their dreams, and those who appreciate a truly thoughtful and personal gift.

16. Planners

I’m excited about my 2019 Desire Map Planner from Danielle LaPorte. It’s feelings-driven, rather than goals-driven. Here are some others: Erin Condren, Paulo Coelho’s Paths Planner, and the Day Designer.

If you’re going to get someone a planner, it might help to find out if they already have a favorite, what their intentions are for the coming year, or how they like to keep track of their tasks. It’s a very personal gift.

17. Journals

I enjoy any journal under the sun that I receive, but here are some really cool guided journals that I wouldn’t mind using:

• Practice You by Elena Brower
• Start Where You Are: A Journal for Self-Exploration
• One Question a Day: A Five-Year Journal
• Pocket-sized embossed leather travel notebook from Cone (what I use to snap pictures for the blog and social media!)

18. Letters to…

Letters to My Future Self: this keepsake bundle of 12 letters offers the gift of looking forward and the delight of remembering times past: write, seal, postdate and open in the future.

There are some other variations which might better suit your gifting situation: Letters to My Mom; My Baby; My Grandchild; and My Love.

Little Love Jar: a personalized jar filled with love, praise, friendship, and memories, gathered from the people who matter most: you and your loved ones’ friends and family. The process of collecting messages, fulfilling the jar, and shipping takes 12 days, so do this ahead of time and have it either ship to the person’s home or to yours so you can give it in person.

19. Gift Certificate Ideas

Sometimes, gift certificates are the best way to give and receive. If you know your giftee loves to shop or has their own unique taste, give them the chance to pick out what really resonates with them. Here are a few suggestions:

High performance coaching sessions: with my friend and personal coach, Jennifer Pearce! If you know someone who’s seeking to gain more clarity and courage around their work, dreams, or relationships, I wholeheartedly recommend emailing Jen to see if there’s a coaching package that suits you. She’s been a huge supporter of my work and I recently told her that she changed my life (and I wasn’t kidding). Here’s her web page.

Local crystal shop: if they love crystals, let them pick out what resonates with their current life situation. If you’re near Massachusetts, I love Crystal Essence.

AnnMarie Gianni: if they love natural, herb-based skin care and glowing from the inside out.

Morocco Method: if they love natural hair care with amazing ingredients and are ready to nourish and grow their locks.

Local bookstore: if you know they’re a bookworm.

. . .

Tell me:

What gifts are you excited to give (or receive) this year?

Tell me in the comments. I read every single one, and I’d love to know!

With love,

Jen