It doesn’t have to be a holiday for you to show your love and appreciation for the women in your life. Yes, you should get your mom something thoughtful for Mother’s Day and her birthday. But nothing says “I love you” better than an impromptu gift. Plus, there’s no holiday for the “best office pal” or “most thoughtful neighbor,” but that’s no reason you can’t celebrate those special women anyhow.
So take the initiative and send some of your favorite women a gift just for being them. Here are a few ideas that will please even the most opinionated women in your life.
1. Encourage Relaxation With an At-Home Spa Basket
The at-home spa experience is a classic for a reason — what better thing to give your favorite woman than the gift of self-care? Hair care can sometimes be overlooked amid the lotions and bath beads in specialty spa assortments. That will make an at-home infusion hair treatment a much-appreciated component of the perfect spa basket. Try pairing the hair mask with a scalp massager to make her hair happy.
Another key addition to the at-home spa experience? Moisturizer. Pair a soothing paraben-free moisturizer or massage oil with an exfoliator to make her experience feel deluxe. Dry brushing can be a great way to shed dry skin, encourage blood flow, and stimulate the nervous system.
2. Give the Gift of Calm With a Weighted Blanket
There’s a reason that weighted blankets have become so popular. Their mental and physical health benefits are wide-ranging. Weighted blankets simulate the feeling of being held or hugged and mimic a therapeutic technique that regulates the nervous system. They’ve been shown to improve sleep quality, reduce anxiety, change the perception of pain, and relieve some symptoms of depression.
When looking for a weighted blanket, you’ll find a variety of weights, colors, and price points. As a result, it shouldn’t be hard to find the right model for your friend or loved one.
3. Encourage Her Financial Independence
Money doesn’t have to be a taboo topic. Securing financial independence and cultivating a healthy relationship with money should be accessible subjects. “The Financial Feminist” by Tori Dunlap aims to help women overcome their fear of investing and shrink the wealth gap.
Dunlap’s easy-to-understand guide can help the special woman in your life get out of debt, learn to invest, or shed negative money beliefs. Does a book not feel like the right gift-giving fit? Send her one of the author’s practical guides on crushing debt, budgeting, or investing instead.
4. Support Her Favorite Cause
Donating to a cause or organization that’s close to your loved one’s heart is a great way to show how well you know her. This is a great gift for the activist or socially conscious women you know. Most nonprofit and mission-driven organizations offer an online one-time donation or monthly giving option. Customize your donation with an “in honor of” message and forward it to her to show your appreciation.
Not sure what the special woman in your life might choose? Think about the activities she loves or the values she holds dear, and you might find some clues there. You can always do some light research to see what top-rated nonprofits are in her community.
5. Brighten Up Her Living Space With a Plant
Want to give a special woman some mood-boosting home decor? Instead of sending flowers, consider a houseplant instead. Flowers might be beautiful, but they’re far more temporary than a houseplant.
Not sure what type of plant to get? Head to your local nursery and ask for their suggestions. They’ll be able to recommend the best plant for your favorite female based on where she lives or her level of gardening experience. And don’t worry — there are plenty of plants that are easy for even the most beginner horticulturist to grow.
Can’t deliver your green gift yourself? No worries. Many florists offer a selection of houseplants that they will bring straight to her door. The same goes for a local nursery, which will likely be able to deliver her houseplant as if it were a bouquet.
6. Satisfy Even the Pickiest Bookworm
Buying books for any avid reader can be a gamble. What if she’s already read your choice or doesn’t like the genre? That’s where subscription-based book memberships come in handy. Subscription book clubs let her choose from a monthly selection of newly released books or provide specially curated ones. That way you don’t have to worry that she won’t like your pick or wonder if she’s already read the book.
Would she rather listen to her latest read instead? Subscription services like Audible or Bookbeat let her choose from a library of audiobooks that she can listen to digitally. She’ll receive a set number of credits per month for a book (or more!) of her choosing.
7. Support Her Career Goals
Giving a gift to someone who’s in the midst of a career change? Consider providing a one-on-one coaching session with a business consultant or the services of a resume writer/designer. Most coaching, consulting, or design services can easily be paid for in advance. Let a career coach or resume-building expert stoke her confidence as she looks for a new job.
Does finding the right professional to work with her one-on-one feel daunting? Consider giving her a subscription to the paid features of LinkedIn. Transitioning between jobs — or professions — can be stressful, overwhelming, and expensive. Make it easier for the special woman in question by offering tangible support toward her goals.
When it comes to treating the women in your life, don’t stress too much over finding the perfect gift. If something doesn’t catch your eye but you still want to show your love, send her an old-fashioned handwritten card. It really is the thought that counts when it comes to any gift-giving endeavor.
