A Psychologist's Guide to Holiday Gift Giving

Tis the season to rack your brain trying to come up with gift ideas for your loved ones.  If you’re hoping that 2018 will bring more peace and good health, consider these gift ideas:

Helko Vario 2000 Heavy Log Splitter
​Call it Lumberjack Therapy.  There is something very peaceful and rewarding about spending time outdoors splitting wood.  Heave this solid axe in the air and bring it down hard to crack and split large logs.  After a few minutes, you’ll need to remove your coat, as splitting wood is great exercise, which helps to burn off stress hormones in your body.  After a little bit of practice, you’ll feel proud of your ability produce a satisfyingly tidy pile of wood.  Splitting wood gives you solitude, time in nature, productivity and exercise all in one.  The particular axe listed above, and similar axes like the Finnish Leveraxe, make wood splitting much easier and, thus, more accessible to those of us without burly lumberjack physiques.  Of course, if your loved one does have a burly lumberjack physique, you may be able to get by with a less expensive model.

Massage Gift Certificate

Say all you want about the benefits of psychotherapy, a good massage can be just as beneficial. Besides, it’s just not appropriate to give a loved one a gift certificate for psychotherapy.  Even if they could use it.  Instead, give your loved one the gift of a relaxing massage.  If a massage isn’t in your budget, consider getting gift certificates from a beauty school, where discounted massage is available.

A Good Read

Winter is the perfect time to curl up with a good book.  And, what’s better than a good book with a good message?  Give your loved one the gift of inspiration and hope in the form of a book about Paul Farmer, a doctor who is working to cure our global health system.  While you’re at it, donate in your loved one’s name to Farmer’s world-changing organization, Partners In Health.

Cell Phone Cozy

There isn’t much worse for your mental health than your own cell phone.  Cell phones bring the stress of work, world events and internet trolls into every moment of your day.  Buy your loved ones one of these cute, made in America, crocheted owls to cover their phone.  Then, hide their phone so they can’t locate it again.

Nothing
Yes, that’s right, the gift of nothing could be the very best thing to give your loved ones in 2017.  If you’re like many Americans, you, and your loved ones, have all your basic needs met.  So, just give your loved ones a hug, play a game of cards with them or do their dishes.  If you have money burning a hole in your pocket, give to those less fortunate, both here and abroad.  

Happy Holidays!  ​