Gifting Health in 2020 - For the Yoga Lover

This list is one of a few to come this holiday season so keep checking back for more ideas and search the label "Gifting Health in 2020" for my other guides! Need your gifts in a hurry? Several of my recommended items are available for quick shipping through Amazon Prime. Don't have an account already? Try it out for 30 days free on me!

Ah yoga... while we can all benefit from it, we all have that friend (or those friends) who LOVES practicing yoga every chance they get. Personally, I notice a big difference in the way I feel - physically and mentally - when I'm taking the time to turn inward and slow down a little and these gifts just might help your beloved yogi do just that. Feel free to send this list on to someone who may need a little hint at your own gift wishes too!

I've included ideas that you can order online as well as crafty ideas because, if you're anything like me, there's some fun (and therapy!) to be found in making the gifts you give. Printable and SVG files (looking at you, my fellow Cricut lovers) are linked as well. 

Note on the SVG files - I'm experiencing a bug where my Cricut cuts as it travels between designed cuts. I'm leaving the files here in case it's just my issue but I recommend trying it on a scrap piece of paper / cheap material first to make sure it works for you. If it doesn't work, you can still download the png image and upload to Design Studio! Sorry about this - hopefully it's just a bug on my end!

You can't ever have enough cute tanks and tops, can you? 

Buy

Beachbody has a sale happening through December 15 with up to 50% off full priced apparel! Some of my favorites are this flowy tie back tank and this soft tank covered in affirmations:

I'd also be remiss if I didn't mention our local Ann Arbor T-shirt Company that has great workout designs like these Llamaste, Mommaste, and naMEOWste tanks designed and printed in Michigan!

         

DIY

First you'll need a base tank and this one is one of my favorites because its comfortable and has washed really well:

  

There are so many great designs on Etsy but I also put together a few ideas for you! Just click the image below to get the svg.

Personally, my favorite heat transfer vinyl is the Siser brand - it's easy to weed and you get a lot for your money! We've had great success with anything I've made and washed too so I definitely recommend them. You can find Siser at Michael's or on Amazon. Feel free to make these designs in any color you want but this pack has the colors in my designs if you want to stick with that.

And because I've been asked... this is the Cricut machine I use! The Explore Air 2 can do so much and I have found it really easy to use - especially for vinyl projects with the Cricut tools. Keep an eye on my Instastories as I try out other new projects with it!

My favorite leggings

I definitely don't lack curves so it can be tough to find leggings that stay put, don't roll, and flatter, so I can't not tell you about these leggings! They're my favorites for runs, yoga, weight lifting... I can't get enough of them. Good leggings can get super expensive but dollar for dollar, I've been really happy with the quality of these - no loss of color, stretch, or support so far! (Oh - and they have a pocket!!!! My phone and ID both stay put on even long runs - big win!)

 

 

The perfect, stay in place headband 

I'm not even including a "DIY" option on this because I have found it so tough to find headbands that fit well and stay put without giving me a headache. Instead, I've gotta give a shout out to my longtime friend and honorary little sis, Jasmine, for making the softest headbands that actually STAY PUT for me regardless of what activity I'm doing (if you follow my Instagram stories, you've probably seen me wearing some of her designs). I can't get enough of her perfect fabric choices and stylish but functional design. 

And the best part? When I asked if I could link to her Etsy shop, she offered to create a promo code just for us! Use GABI15 to save 15% on her shop through her Christmas 2020 gift deadline of December 19th. 

You can browse her entire Etsy shop here (don't miss her limited edition holiday headbands!) but I've also linked to a few specific ones that I think are extra cute.

Water bottle

It's not like you don't know this already but hydration is key - especially in the winter when we all tend to dry out. Having a cute new water bottle always helps me drink more so maybe it'll help your yoga lover too?

Buy

I have yet to go wrong with a water bottle from Contigo and I like when I can make the switch to glass (I just think my water tastes better that way) but glass makes me nervous in my workout space so this bottle brings the best of both worlds!

Or, if they're a fan of the 2B Mindset and Ilana Muhlstein's approach to food, why not show them a little love and support with the water bottle that echos the goals and themes of the program? 

DIY

There's something about a skinny tumbler size that just feels so on trendy and it's straight so it's easy to add a design! Pick your favorite design from Etsy or feel free to click on any of the images below to download the svg. 

I recommend starting with this bottle (I have one just like it!) and the Siser Permanent PSV (why not go with some glitter?). Make sure to let your design and cup sit for a day after assembly to let the adhesive settle in. Don't forget your transfer tape, weeding tools, and Cricut!

  

Want to help them kick up the value of their water? I highly recommend adding some craving busting tea, hydration boosting formula, or plant-based energy and focus supplement to their gift. 

BEVVY - this 15 calorie tea supplement includes decaffeinated green tea phytosomes, brewer's yeast peptides, and fiber to help curb cravings without synthetic colors, artificial flavors, artificial preservatives, gluten, dairy, or soy! Personally, I prefer the pomegranate flavor but the lemon is good too!

Hydrate - even the slightest dehydration can knock you off your game so it helps to have a little extra help with absorbing fluids and electrolytes. Your usual sports drinks are filled with artificial ingredients and sugars that can actually dehydrate you but this formula is free of artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, or preservatives. It's designed for workouts but I even use it on rest days to kick off my day with as much hydration as I can get from my first bottle of water!

Energize - this is another one that I drink on rest days too (usually just a half dose on those days) for focus and an energy life. A lot of pre-workouts leave you with that buzzed feeling but this formula leaves out the artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, or preservatives. Oh and it tastes great so it's a win win! I like mixing the lemon and mixed berry flavors a lot but the fruit punch might be my favorite. You can't go wrong though with any of the flavors IMO. 

Lavendar Bath Salts

Buy

I've tried and enjoyed both the Amazon's Solimo brand (in particular the eucalyptus) and Dr. Teal's salts. The Dr. Teal's brand you can usually find in any drug store or you can find both on Amazon. Both have various blends for different effects - or you can just pick the one you think is the best scent! Want to make your gift look a little more "gift like"? Try pouring some into a cute jar, like this one or this one, and add a cute ribbon (how cute is this???) with a tag!

DIY

Ingredients: 

• 2 cups Epsom salt
• 10–15 drops Lavender essential oil (see my note below about essential oils)
• ¼ cup dried lavender buds (optional)

Directions: 

1. Combine Epsom salt, dried lavender buds, and essential oils in a bowl.
2. Stir until everything is well mixed.
3. Divide into mason jars (or any old glass containers) and store for up to 2–3 months in a cool, dry place.

To Use:

Pour salts into bath directly under the faucet as tub is filling with warm (or hot - bather's choice) water. Soak and enjoy!

Make your purchased or homemade gifts a little more festive with personalized labels on the jar, writing a note on a tag, and adding a pretty ribbon.

Want to print some labels instead of handwriting them? Feel free to use this image to print on cardstock, cut out, and tie on; this one to print and stick on labels to the lid; or - if you're really feeling up to it - grab this svg to cut some vinyl with your Cricut, transfer, and stick to the jar lid!

Yoga mat spray

Buy

This set would be especially good for the yogi on the go as the small bottle is the perfect size for any bag and the little towel allows for a quick dry! Gotta love a quick gift!

DIY

I use recipes like this for all sorts of surfaces around the house for a quick refresh but it's especially good for yoga mats because it calls for just water, witch hazel (which has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties - I use this alcohol free one), and essential oils (see my note on essential oils below) like peppermint, lemon, tea tree, and lavender which gives your mat an uplifting scent. 

Try bottling it up in larger spray bottles (you'll find these exact ones all over our house!) for home use or  smaller ones for quick on-the-go needs.

Want to add some labels?

These should fit the larger bottles and I've made up an image you can print on them too! For my Cricut lovers, here's an svg of the same design to cut, prep, and transfer vinyl instead.

The labels for the smaller bottles are a slightly different ratio so here's a printed label image and an svg for the little guys.

Virtual Yoga Studio

And finally... has your yoga lover been displaced from their favorite studio this year? Help them stay on track with some new classes and mix up their routine from the comfort of their own home with world class instructors in this 3 Week Yoga Retreat DVD set or online streaming access to the Retreat and dozens of other yoga and meditation videos (plus access to thousands of other workout and cooking videos!) with a 1 year subscription to Beachbody On Demand. Want to learn more about this service and how to bundle it for even more savings? Email me at gabi@gabiford.com and we'll chat!

Note on Essential Oils:

I've switched a lot of our home products - especially anything with a scent - to essential oil scented, natural products. This is a choice we made because we know that certain manufactured fragrances can be harmful over time and also because I'm definitely sensitive to them and find they make it harder for me to breathe. Because essential oils are gaining popularity, you can find them everywhere with varying price tags. Keep in mind though that, just like anything else, you get what you pay for. After a lot of research, I've trusted Young Living's product quality and even after 4 or so years of use, we have yet to be let down. However, I'm not a rep for Young Living (fitness and nutrition is still my main focus and passion!) so if you're new to essential oils, I recommend getting in touch with my good friend, Annette Gorden. She has taken great care of our family and she's happy to help you out too! Feel free to send her an email at annettegorden@gmail.com or learn more about her best deals here! 

I hope you like those ideas and find them helpful in supporting your favorite yoga lover with fun gifts this holiday season! If you think of any others, I'd love to hear them! You're also welcome to send this list on to anyone who might need a little hint ;-)

Happy Holidays! Hope you and yours stay safe and healthy!

Gabriella Ford is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com at no additional cost to you! All opinions are my own!