Gifts for People with Depression: Thoughtful Ideas to Show You Care
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Choosing thoughtful gifts for people with depression can play a significant role in supporting their mental health journey and really shows your love and support for them! These gifts show empathy, understanding, and a willingness to help someone feel comforted and valued. It also shows them that you’ve heard them during their time of need.
Whether it’s a small token of appreciation or something more substantial, the right gift can make a positive difference in their day-to-day life by providing both practical support and emotional reassurance.
When selecting a gift for someone dealing with depression, it’s crucial to prioritize items that promote relaxation, self-care, and personal well-being. Consider products that encourage positive routines or activities that help lift moods, like cozy blankets, journals, or aromatherapy sets. These gifts should scream “self-care”!
Pay attention to aspects such as quality, usability, and how the gift might align with the recipient’s preferences and needs. For example, some might prefer a calming weighted blanket, while others might find solace in a guided meditation app.
I’ve personally used many of these products and only share tools that I love here! This curated list of options are sure to provide comfort and joy for those experiencing depression.
Thoughtful Gifts for Those with Depression
We understand the importance of finding the right gift to provide comfort and support. Our list includes items that can help ease the mind and uplift the spirit. Let’s explore our top picks for thoughtful and caring gifts.
Self-Care Items
1. Essential Oil Diffuser
Using an oil diffuser is another great way to incorporate essential oils into your life and home! I love this diffuser because I can easily set the timer and a few other cool functions, like the light color, and go about my day. By diffusing oil into the air, you are activating your olfactory system. It’s a very powerful way to reap the benefits of essential oils.
2. Weighted Blanket
My husband gifted me a weighted blanket years ago and not only do I love it but my kids fight over it constantly! It feels like the warmest hug and helps relieve anxiety and stress. When in doubt, go with a heavier blanket like this one, and doesn’t it look so soft!
3. Bath Salts
This new bath salt maintains serotonin levels and eases sore muscles promoting a relaxing soak. I need to try this! It’s definitely in my cart right now!
4. Wave of Mind Journals
The Wave of Mind Journals are perfect for someone who is new to journaling! The full set of journals includes 6 months, each month focused on something new to conquer. Emotional awareness, core values, self trust, self validation, self compassion, and self acceptance are all great attributes to harness and strengthen in the new year. These journals will help guide you through each tenant seamlessly and mindfully.
Enter code Blooming20 at checkout for 20% off!
5. Essential Oils
An essential oil kit like this one would make a fabulous gift! You can use essential oils by applying a drop into your hand, along with a carrier oil (I like coconut oil), and rubbing it onto the bottoms of your feet, into your ears, or down your spine. For depression, I recommend citrus oils to increase energy levels! You can even make your own oil rollers at home by adding coconut oil to a glass roller ball vessel with a few drops of oil and they are great on the go too!
6. Happy Lamp – Light Therapy
This light therapy sunlight lamp is a revolutionary product designed to provide you with a convenient and adjustable way to enjoy the benefits of natural light.UV-free Mimicking natural light is able to provide a comfortable light intensity on cloudy days, whether you are working at home, reading, light therapy lamp will make you feel happy.
Comforting Experiences
7. Acupressure Mat and Pillow set
I use this mat and pillow set every night. It does look a little scary but I promise you it really helps relieve stress and release tension too. I love giving this set as a self-care gift.
8. Sage SR Mental Health Assessment
If someone you love is struggling with undiagnosed mental health challenges than the Sage-SR Mental Health assessment would be a great gift. For only $15 you’ll receive a completely confidential online assessment that can diagnose over 30 mental health disorders. You receive a complete evaluation you can share with your doctor or therapist too! It’s a great gift to give.
9. Yoga Class
Giving a gift card or membership to a yoga studio is a great self-care gift. Yoga is a spiritual, mental, and physical practice that can be helpful for anyone and at any age.
10. Day Spa Gift Card
Gift cards to a local yoga studio or a spa also make great self-care gifts! It shows you support their health and wellness journey. I suggest finding a day spa near your friend and purchasing a gift card for a massage or body treatment.
More self-care gift card ideas include; acupuncture, float therapy, cryotherapy or cold plunge studio, massage, facial, manicure/pedicure.
Get creative and consider some of the services you love using yourself and go from there!
11. Tapping Solutions App
Want to send the most effective meditation app or try it yourself? This is the one! Tapping is based on the combined principles of ancient Chinese acupressure and modern psychology and the technique requires you to focus on a negative emotion at hand – a fear, a worry, a bad memory, an unresolved problem, pain, illness or anything that’s bothering you. I’ve used this app for years and it’s truly special and it’s a great gift for people with depression.
Click here to try a 14-day free trial!
Practical Aids
12. Meal Delivery Service- Factor Meals
Depression can complicate eating habits and meal preparation. Consider giving the gift of easy and healthy meals! My family has used Factor Meals for awhile and I can attest to how easy and delicious the food is. This would be a great gift!
13. Weekly Pill Organizer
I purchased this pill organizer a few months ago after I kept forgetting if I had taken my medication. It was an awful feeling! I didn’t want to miss a dose or double up so I bought this little organizer and it has kept me on track. I love that I can take each day out and with me if I need to and it makes packing for a trip very easy too! It’s a great gift idea.
14. Hatch Alarm Clock
Not your average alarm clock, the Hatch is a sound machine, reading light, and introduces your body to sleep and wake lightly with it’s sunrise and sunset modes. Such a wonderful gift for people with depresssion.
15. Apollo Wearable Device
The Apollo wearable uses safe, non-invasive touch therapy to send silent, soothing vibrations to the body that help you feel safe and in control. Developed by physicians and neuroscientists, the Apollo wearable has proven outcomes across sleep quality, focus, heart rate variability, performance, and recovery, and is appropriate for both adults and children.
16. Oura Ring
My husband and I love our Oura rings! These smart rings connect to an app that tells you all about your sleep, can pinpoint temperature changes indicating if you are getting sick, and even keeps track of your physical activity. It’s the ultimate self-care gift and a great gift for people with depression.
Encouraging Connections
17. Personal Letters
The cost is small and might take some of your time, but personal letters really mean so much, specially when your loved one is suffering from depression. When you share your feelings and love for someone this way it’s invaluable to your loved one. Trust me! I’ve been on the receiving end of this kindness before and it helped propel me forward through challenging times.
18. Bake something sweet
Cookies, muffins, bread, cakes, cupcakes! Receiving a sweet treat is always nice. I know we’ve talked a lot about wellness in this article but sometimes you just need to treat yourself. Baking something for your loved one can be a very thoughtful gesture and one that they remember for years to come.
19. Flowers
Flowers are one of my favorite gifts to receive, especially sunflowers! If your loved one is feeling low and you are pressed for time, it’s easy to drop by your local flower shop or grocery store and pick something up. I know it seems simple but I know a beautiful arrangement of flowers is sure to brighten anyone’s day! If you have the time and talent to arrange something yourself that’s great too.
Uplifting Books and Media
When choosing gifts, uplifting books and media can offer comfort and joy. I’ve curated a list of my favorite inspirational books and media here!
20. Books
- The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho: A tale of self-discovery.
- The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin: Exploring what it takes to be happy.
- Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert: Encouraging creativity and curiosity and my personal favorite!
21. Films
Watching positive and heartwarming films can help uplift moods. Consider gifting one of these classics:
- Amélie: A whimsical journey of a young woman spreading happiness.
- The Pursuit of Happyness: An inspiring true story of perseverance.
- Paddington: A charming adventure of a bear in London.
22. Podcasts
Podcasts can also provide daily doses of positivity. Some great options include:
- Good Life Project: Conversations on living a meaningful life.
- Feel Better, Live More: Topics on health and happiness.
A thoughtful selection of uplifting books and media can show our support and care. Choosing these gifts helps build a positive environment and offers comfort and encouragement.
Creative Outlets
23. Coloring books
Coloring can be relaxing. Check out this cute calming color book!
24. Pottery Kit
25. Crochet Kit for Beginners
Finding accomplishment with small tasks really help overcome depression episodes. For me, starting small and working on something easy is always key. Check out these cute crochet kits for beginners. I gave them to my kids for Christmas last year and they loved working on them during their holiday break.
Personalized Gifts
26. Inspiring Jewelry – Little Word Project
Inspiring words can always help but wearing them as a reminder everyday is truly special. Check out these cute bracelets from Little Word Project! They make great gifts for people with depression.
27. Mindfulness Cards
My husband put these in my stocking at Christmas a few years ago and I love them! If you are just beginning or nurturing a daily mindfulness or gratitude practice you will love working with Mindfulness Cards. Featuring more than 50 accessible and enlightening practices (plus eight blank cards for personalization), this deck is more than a standard activity book and brings a fresh twist to your practice.
28. Olux Ring
This is my 2024 self-care gift to myself! Using 4 powerful magnets and your body’s own magnetic field, the Olux ring boasts significant improvements in sleep, weight loss, stress relief, among many other benefits. Read more here.
Home Gifts
29. Soft Blanket
My best friend gave me this blanket years ago and I LOVE IT! It’s the best Barefoot Dreams dupe and doesn’t skimp on comfort. It’s the perfect gift to elevate your comfort at home and on-the-go!
30. Motivational Candles
Check out these beautiful motivational candles! I love their sweet sentiments and think they would make a great gift for someone in your life who needs a little extra support and love.
31. Indoor Plants
I am a huge fan of indoor plants and love caring for them but I think giving a plant to someone who doesn’t have a green thumb, can be intimidating. My advice is to start by giving something small and low maintanence like a succulent!
Practical Help
32. Grocery Delivery Service
It’s really hard to get out of the house when you are struggling with depression. Consider gifting your loved one a year membership to a grocery delivery service. I have used Instacart for years and definitely lean on it more when I am depressed and can’t get motivated to grocery shop. This is a great gift for people with depression!
33. House Cleaning Services
If you have a bigger budget in mind or a deeply personal relationship with someone who is struggling, than this would be a great gift! The reason why I say a “deeply personal relationship” is that you wouldn’t want this gift to offend your loved one. I would tread lightly with this gift suggestion but honestly, I love the idea!
34. Chauffer Service
Driving can be overwhelming when you have depression. If your loved one has kids, then they likely live in their car driving from activity to activity. Offering to shoulder some of this respondsibility would be a wonderful and considerate gift for people with depression.
Emotional Support
35. Offering Your Time and Listening Ear
You might not be a therapist or mental health expert yourself, but if you are here searching for a gift for someone with depression, then you are sensitive and in-tune with someone who is struggling. Don’t discount your time and loving attention. It’s honestly the best gift you can give someone!
Final Thoughts
When we choose gifts for loved ones with depression, empathy and thoughtfulness are our guiding principles. It’s essential that we tune into what truly matters to them and how our gifts might offer comfort or joy.
Let’s remember that everyone’s journey with depression is unique. Our goal should be to find something that speaks to their personal needs and preferences and you’ll know these from listening to your loved one.
Let’s keep our hearts open and focus on what might bring a spark of happiness to their lives. Each thoughtful choice can make a meaningful difference.
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