gift guide: gifts to shift habits.

December 10, 2018

An extra bag you’ll never want to leave home without +/or same-day grocery delivery (zero-waste edition).

A wrist watch to help you put down your phone +/or a record player for analog evening entertainment.

Not-ugly compression socks for taking care of tired feet +/or a special assortment of tools to revive tired shoes.

A water filter to encourage proper hydration at home +/or an extra-insulated and plastic-free thermal bottle to take out and about.

The perfect pot for making a weekly supply of soup +/or fresh bay laurel for seasoning. 

A project book for laying out a plan +/or something to help encourage a bit of…spontaneity.

A new perspective on an ancient herb +/or a little something to help melt away stress.

A casserole to encourage potlucks +/or  written encouragement to gather together.

A bag for a weekly library haul +/or a year’s worth of diverse books delivered to your door.

Slippers to make loving winter a little more possible +/or a sweater for keeping warm (and making it easier to turn down the heat)

Here’s a collection of gifts that might, with a little luck, nudge the receiver (and the giver) toward a shift in habits. Maybe the shift will mean being a little more gentle on the planet, or maybe it will mean being a little more gentle on themselves. Here’s to making everyday life a little more special at the same time that it becomes a little more simple.

Many thanks to Anna Jacobs for research assistance on this post. This post includes affiliate links. Reading My Tea Leaves might earn a small commission on the goods purchased through those links.

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10 Comments

  • Reply Kelly Libby December 10, 2018 at 4:18 pm

    Whoa!

    Such a great list, Erin! I especially love the grocery delivery service and hoping it comes to Boston asap. And, I’m thinking of buying a record player with my “Christmas money” from my dad. Do you use a record player? Any tips? Do you buy records online? second hand shops? I haven’t played a record since i was a very little girl carrying around a blue plastic Smurfs player with a white handle. Oh, i loved that thing!

    • Reply TC December 10, 2018 at 5:37 pm

      Go to record stores near you, they often carry used and some new releases. Go when you have some time to flip through them — it’s an activity all in itself.

    • Reply Jennifer King December 10, 2018 at 8:35 pm

      I got a record player for Christmas when I was 16 and it’s lasted through college, grad school, and two cross-country moves. I still use it nearly every day! I get records from used bookstores, mostly. I also discovered that my parents and grandparents and their friends often had records they didn’t want any more and were willing to give away to an eager listener. I hope you do decide to get one; mine has brought me so much joy!

  • Reply TC December 10, 2018 at 5:38 pm

    You have the best gift ideas! I try not to purchase much throughout the year, but when I do I want the items I buy to be of quality and your lists make it easy to find great stuff!

  • Reply steph December 10, 2018 at 5:45 pm

    the conscious kid is wonderful! does anyone else get into reading phases? I’m currently on a “books by women” phase and half of them are by woc: https://tps-steph.blogspot.com/2018/12/0023-library-list.html

    • Reply Deb December 10, 2018 at 11:58 pm

      Steph, I’ve been doing the same this year! Been keeping a running list of read and to read by female authors. I’ve read ~70 this year and have more than double to go! Happy to share!

  • Reply Alex December 12, 2018 at 11:46 am

    I love the lube recommendation! I’ve been looking for sex-related products that are natural and sustainable (I love the idea of the biodegradable Gaia vibrator https://shevibe.com/gaia-eco-biodegradable-and-recyclable-vibrator-by-blush-novelties-green.aspx) and work well. Do you have any other recommendations?

    • Reply ERIN BOYLE December 12, 2018 at 12:01 pm

      None that come top of mind, but I’ll be on the lookout!

  • Reply Sasha L December 18, 2018 at 12:49 pm

    What a great roundup of ideas! Those slippers and sweater look so comfy.

    I’ve been wearing compression socks daily for a few months. Mine are from Comrade, a fair bit lower priced than the ones featured, just in case anyone is looking for that.

    I have some nerve damage from a surgery and they really help.

  • Reply honeykissme September 26, 2022 at 5:16 am

    All of them look so nice!

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