CHRISTMAS 2020 - The One Where Everyone Quarantined — A Gift Guide for Covid Living
I have always had a love-hate relationship with Christmas shopping.
I love spending time planning thoughtful gifts for each of my relatives, and choosing a unique gift for each person that I know will be something they will truly enjoy or use or cherish. The older I get, I actually find myself getting more excited about watching others open my gifts to them over the gifts I am receiving.
However, I also find Christmas shopping stressful. The chaos of the shopping mall, leaving it to the last minute and ending up in the evil black hole that is Amazon, and the big dip in my bank account.
And with this Christmas taking place in the midst of a pandemic, the gifting experience seems exponentially more stressful.
A lot of us are already feeling more limited financially, especially if we’ve taken a cut in pay or hours at work. And living in Toronto and other cities in the red zone, malls and most other stores are closed in lockdown, leaving us with little choice BUT to shop online.
It also feels like we are limited in some of our typical go-to gifts as well. Buying clothing is often popular, but again, if stores are closed except for online, a gift receipt will be worth toilet paper (pardon the pun) if something doesn’t fit quite right. One of my go-to-gifts, especially for my loved ones, is experiences: A dinner at a nice restaurant for an S.O, a day at a spa for mom, or tickets to the movies or a sporting event for Dad. However, with the provincial wide regulations shutting down nonessential services and asking people to stay home, it seems as these kinds of experiences are a no-go this year.
So, in this year of Covid, what can we give?
Here are some ideas I’ve come up with during my own much-earlier-than-my-typical-December-23rd-start to my own search.
The gift ideas here focus on things that can all make the stay-at-home experience easier and/or more enjoyable for whoever you are buying for. I have also opted for Canadian companies and gifts where possible. It might not be same day shipping, but with so many local businesses struggling amidst these lockdowns, it feels nice to support them, especially during Christmastime.
Covid Christmas Gift Guide 2020
Gifts for Their Mental Health and #Self Care
Weighted Blanket
This one is made in Canada by Dream Hug . Its also what we decided to purchase for my mom who is a notorious insomniac. In the past year, I’ve met countless people who own a weighted blanket and swear it is a game-changer. I’m hoping that this Christmas is the one where my momma finally receives the gift of good sleep!
Sunrise Alarm Clock
For the person in your life who is still waking up before the sun. This alarm clock produces natural light according to whatever waking schedule you program, helping to reset your inner body clock, and make getting up in the morning a little easier. This one here also has different soothing relaxation sounds and a sunset function to assist in falling asleep. as well as bluetooth connectivity which means you can also wake up every day to your favourite song.
Diffuser and Essential Oils
This Saje Diffuser is the kind of thing I always wanted for myself for years but never got around to owning until it was gifted to me. Now I love it. Simply the act of adding a few drops of oil to my diffuser each evening feels like true self care. And then I easily spend my evening writing or doing work to the calming sight, sound, and smell, of the aromatic vapour filling my space. And for the absent-minded like me, it automatically turns off after 3 or 6 hours based on the setting, so I never worry about burning down the house. Sweet.
There are so many amazing scents and oils out there, and the best one depends on personal preference. Right now, this one called Liquid Sunshine is hands down my favourite. It lives up perfectly to the hype of its name.
3 Daily Goals Journal
I already have a post here talking about how much I love and use the 3 journal. It’s easy to feel demotivated and unproductive while stuck at home. Help someone rediscover the joy of journalling as part of a daily routine, and in turn, enable them to feel like they are making the most of every day— however that may look for them.
Other anxiety relieving gift ideas
Adult Colouring Books
Salt Lamp
Heated Blanket
Snuggie
Gifts that make them want to “Stay Home”
Home Coffee Maker or Espresso Machine
For the Starbucks addict in your life. While a lot of cafes may still be offering grab and go options, make it easier for your loved one to get their caffeine fix from the comfort of their home. Especially for those who no longer need to leave their house to get to work, a personal espresso maker will allow that morning latte to come to them.
Yoga mat and blocks
In many regions in lockdown where studios and gyms are closed, help your fitness or yoga-enthusiast support their practise with a new Canadian-made yoga mat and blocks. A shiny new piece of athletic equipment can help do wonders to increase wavering motivation to practise. While there are lots of options for beautiful and excellent quality mats out there, this corkmade mat from Scoria would be my pick.
Apple TV, Firestick, Roku, or other streaming device
For the person in your life still watching Netflix off their laptop, or roughing it with basic cable, there’s no time like now to upgrade your TV set up. We’re all home bingeing our chosen poison on Friday nights now anyways.
Whichever one you choose is up to you. Already neck deep in apple products, the Apple TV is what recently became my quarantine companion.
Home Fitness Pole
For the pole dancer/pole-curious one in your life. This was an early Chistmas gift/late birthday present for myself. Supporting my Slovenian heritage my Lupit pole shipped all the way from Slovenia. I am missing my pole studio classes and community but I am excited to take part in the virtual offerings thanks to my new home pole.
Other At-Home-Enhancing Gifts:
Cookbooks
Board Games (Catan, Monopoly, Pandemic (maybe not), Game of Life, etc)
Gaming Console
Jigsaw Puzzle and Puzzle Board
Books, Kindle, or E-reader
Massage Chair
Slippers
Gifts to Support Local
Gift Certificate to a Local Restaurant or Cafe (With Delivery/Takeout!)
Some of my local GTA favourites are:
The Hogtown Vegan (Toronto)
Community (Oakville)
Herby (Toronto)
Rendez-Vous (Toronto)
Ambiyan (Unionville)
Fresh (Toronto)
Handmade Fitness Clothing and Accessories
The Gift of Comfort
One of my favourite comfort pieces ever are these sweat pants from the Canadian owned and made apparel company is Polar Piece .
I discovered them a few years back at the Distillery Christmas Market and fell in love with their sweat pants. Better quality and more comfortable than Roots!
Workout Wear (with Sass)
While I don’t own this (yet!), this awesome turquoise tank is on on my personal list from Redefine Fit, the Toronto-owned pole studio.
While I will be wearing it inverted on my new pole, it would be well-received by any yogi or gynmastic enthusiast, or even that friend in your group that still attempts to cartwheel after a few too many libations.
Gifts that Give Back
Kind Karma Jewellery
I love this grassroots jewellery company not only for their beautiful and unique pieces, but for their ethical and humanitarian business model that supports and empowers underprivileged Toronto youth through working with them as artisans of their pieces.
Purchasing a necklace from Kind Karma not only supports a local, Toronto business, but also gives back to the community through supporting a struggling young person on a new path in life.
Team Plover : Dog Collars and Accessories
For the pooch or pet owner in your life, give them the gift that helps foster dogs get a new forever home as well as ups their style game. Founded by a local Toronto dog-lover, Team Plover pledges to fund the transport of a dog from a far away shelter to a foster home where they may be easily adopted. With high quality, durable, and gorgeous collars and leashes in many colours and designs, they are worth every penny.
The List Goes On…
I hope this list helps at least spark some more ideas for you to ease some of the stress of shopping this year. Even if you miss the shipping deadlines for some of these gifts, be kind to yourself. You won’t end up in hell for giving a gift bought last minute on Amazon, or purchasing an e-giftcard online on Christmas Eve. More than anything, your loved ones will appreciate you being unstressed and present than whatever thing you cover in wrapping paper.
As cheesy as the saying goes, it remains true— it is the thought that counts. The best present this Christmas is being present — even if that means virtually.
Stay tuned for another post later this week on more Gifts that Give Back, as well as Gifts That Give Over and Over.
What is on your shopping list this Christmas?
Happy December!
Jordan
xoxo