Looking for unique ideas for holiday gifts? Of course you are! And the Element staff has plenty of ideas. We also encourage our own Element gift cards and products, but here are some more ideas for special gifts that will benefit the larger community, our planet, and a general spirit of wellness. Here are some suggestions from your friends at Element.
Give the gift of wellness this holiday season.
Experiences: Give the gift of a wonderful activity or experience.
Yoga classes, memberships to museums, botanic gardens, BAM or theater groups, a day pass to a spa where you can use the sauna, hot tub, cold plunge and pool—and also enjoy a massage. Short-term gym memberships, a SoulCycle pass, Alexander Technique workshops, and Pilate’s classes offer the opportunity to stay fit and have fun. And with some of these gifts, you also support important cultural institutions. It’s a win-win! Finally, consider keeping it local with a CitiBike membership or admission to Lakeside, Prospect Park’s new skating rink opening this month. Send someone you love for a bracing turn on the ice!
Promote good health for your loved one AND the environment with a CitiBike membership.
Food: Nourish, pamper, and treat your people with a range of tasty delights. Edible treats include the services of a private chef for a week or a weekend (maybe even raw or vegan), a gift card for freshly pressed juice or a juice cleanse, a platter of vegan and gluten-free cookies from Cookie Devi, and specialty food items like truffle oil, a bottle of aged balsamic vinegar, bee pollen or local honey infused with lavender or rose petals. All are lovely, yet practical, gifts.
Comfort & Beauty: Help your loved ones feel their best with gifts for the home. A piece of hand-made pottery from Pottery Mountain in Woodstock, N.Y. is environmentally friendly as well as beautiful. Elaine Petrone’s Miracle Balls provide a DIY massage and can even aid in healing. Simply lie on them, breathe, and let gravity and your body do the rest. T-Spheres are aromatherapy infused massage balls designed by a veteran massage therapist to specifically address fascia. Plants are an oldie but a goodie and can enhance any one’s mood or space. Just keep in mind pets, small children, and allergies to make sure the plant is a good match for everyone in the household. Finally, Himalayan Salt Lamps are beautiful and reduce indoor air pollutants too.
A mist of essential oils and plant active ingredients, Caudalie’s Beauty Elixir smooths the skin and tightens pores.
Body & Skin: The right products can recreate the spa experience at home. Consider body oils, which can be a more natural alternative to lotions, or a gift card for organic facial skin care. Or make your own soy candles or luxury soap. It’s easier than you think! Looking for some sweet-smelling stocking stuffers? Try these little lip glosses from Fresh or Caudalie’s Beauty Elixir, a soothing and hydrating spray. And finally, your nearest and dearest might appreciate a copy of Yoga Face, the natural yoga facelifting book by Annalise Hagen—especially after hustle and bustle of the holidays!
Sales of the Red Hook Bracelet from Art from the Ashes and Miki Tanaka support recovery from Hurricane Sandy.
Doing Good: Purchase a charm from Altruette, and at least 50 percent of the proceeds go to benefit a variety of worthy causes, such as the American Wildlife Foundation, Room to Read and Toys for Tots. Wearing your Altruette bracelet also helps spread the word about the causes most important to you. And one last gift that benefits one and all—and is particularly dear to the Element family–is the Red Hook Bracelet created by Art from the Ashes and Miki Tanaka to support the community following Hurricane Sandy. A prototype of the Red Hook Bracelet was forged from copper pulled from the water that flooded Miki’s home/studio.