So I know on Monday, I was talking about doing The Fiscal Femme’s 3-Day Money Cleanse this fall, so it may seem weird to have a post about shopping, but one of the things that really came to light for me during the cleanse was the difference between my emotional, frivolous spending, and self-care purchases that are truly worth it. I know sometimes we think of self-care as, like, “salt baths and chocolate cake,” as writer Brianna Wiest so brilliantly put it in this article, but it can also include more practical stuff like cooking yourself healthy food and scheduling those doctors’ appointments you’ve been putting off (like I was doing with physical therapy earlier this fall).

When it comes to gift-giving and receiving, I’m a big fan of little things that provide a major upgrade to your everyday quality of life. Last year I put together a gift guide of dietitians’ favorite kitchen gear, but this year I want to focus on some self-care essentials that make great holiday presents for your loved ones or yourself!

Self-Care Gift Guide

Avocado slicer—awesome way to make it easier (and safer) to enjoy this delish superfood. I have this one and love it!

Airtight glass containers—Meal prep essential. Need I say more? I’m partial to Pyrex but there are lots of great options out there to help make it easy to store and transport all that healthy food you cook yourself ; )

Cute water bottle—I always tell my clients trying to up their water intake to use a water bottle they actually want to look at so they’ll keep it in a place they can easily see and reach. I have one really similar to this stainless steel one—it’s especially great because aside from preventing leaks, it keeps water nice and cold all freaking day.

Portable phone charger—Knowing I have a back-up plan for those days I’m on the go helps reduce anxiety about a dead phone. I have a few of these, actually, but this lipstick-sized power bank is my favorite, and I love how many colors it comes in!

Essential oils are a great way to incorporate aromatherapy into your everyday. I keep lavender oil by my bed (to help me chill the f*** out) and rosemary oil (to help me get focus and energized) near my computer. You can find essential oils all over, but acupuncturist Ryan Smith is my essential oil guru.

Wine stopper—If you have a cute wine stopper, it will actually make you want to save some wine for later! Who knew portion control could actually be fun? I even found one that looks like my dog!

Veggie spiralizer—To cut costs, making your own damn zoodles is a great way to enjoy lower-carb meals and sneak in more veggies. The handheld Veggetti is great for newbies or people with limited counter space. You could also consider a bigger, sturdier model like this one.

Food processor—One of the main reasons my clients say they don’t cook is because it feels too time-consuming. A food processor seriously streamlines all that chopping, mincing, and dicing. I have this one from Cuisinart . Worth every damn penny.

Tea infuserr—Tea is my go-to on stressful days and can be awesome for people who struggle with stress-eating. Having a cute tea strainer (the TEATANIC is my personal fave) can make even a dreary day better.

My Pillow—I bought a My Pillow set for myself after getting paid for one of my first big-fish projects. Aside from a great night of sleep, I think about how great it felt to earn that money to buy them.

What’s one of the best gifts you’ve ever given or received? 

PS: Getting a handle on your money is a great form of self-care. If you want to join the next round of money cleansers, the program kicks off on January 15th to help you get on track for 2018. If you sign up here using the code JESSMONEY, you get a $20 discount!

*

*

*

This has been another installment of the Running with Spoons Thinking Out Loud link party, where randomness is the name of the game. Thanks to Amanda for hosting.

***Just as a note, a lot of these things are purchases I’ve made with my own money, but there are a few affiliate links in there.