Stress-Relieving Gifts That Will Put Anyone at Ease

(Image credit: Design by Morgan McMullen)

published 12 January 2022

2021 was a rough, exhausting year. Between the overwhelming news cycle and living through a pandemic for the second year in a row, life has been turned upside down for just about everybody these days. Thankfully, affordable stress-relieving gifts are here to help us unwind and remind ourselves to focus on the joy that still exists in the world. Shop the best relaxing gifts for yourself and your loved ones, ahead.

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Grove Co. x Jeremiah Brent Limited Edition Simple Ceremony Incense Set

Designer Jeremiah Brent launched sustainable limited-edition home essentials and cleaning products in collaboration with Grove Co. This incense set, which comes with a marble incense holder, incense sticks, nested marbly trays, and an organic cotton towel, will inspire the person in your life to create comforting and calming rituals after long work days.

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Be Curious Today Mini Mantras Puzzle

Depending on who you speak to, completing a puzzle may not be the most ~stress relieving~ activity, but this "Be Curious Mini Mantras" pick is a happy medium. The chic 42-piece puzzle provides a dose of inspiration and encourages the puzzle-goer to focus their mind on one task rather than everything else going on in the world.

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"What Do You Meme?" Adult Card Game

As they say, laughter is the best medicine. Play adult card game "What Do You Meme?" when you want to blow off some steam with a couple friends before you binge-watch 'And Just Like That' together. During the game, players match photo cards with caption cards, ultimately creating their own funny memes. (It can also be easily played over Zoom!)

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Briogeo Scalp Revival™ Stimulating Therapy Massager

What could possibly be more soothing than this scalp-reviving head massager? Wrong answers only.

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La Mer The Intensive Revitalizing Mask

If they'd never splurge on La Mer on their own, they'll be obsessed with this intensive revitalizing mask to use on their most stressful days. The directions encourage users to breathe in deeply three times while rubbing the mask on their face.

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Tate's Bake Shop Tate's Bake Shop Sampler Small

Who doesn't love a great dessert after a stressful day? Send them one of Tate's signature gift baskets that includes chocolate chip cookies, double chocolate chip and walnut chocolate chip cookies, two chocolate brownies, a blondie, and a crumb cake.

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Forvr Mood The Big Mood Candles & Room Sprays Bundle

Never underestimate the power of a great candle (or two) and accompanying room sprays during a relaxing night at home.

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B Yoga B Mat Strong

If they've been holding out on attending workout classes in person, gift them this supportive yoga mat beloved by yogis so they can continue to do their workouts at home on a comfortable mat.

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Domain by Laura Hodges Studio Mini Eucalyptus Steam Shower Cubes

Eucalyptus is known to create a calming presence. Use these eucalyptus steam shower cubes concentrated with cooling peppermint to relax your mind, clear your lungs, and focus on the present.

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thisworks® Sleep Together Calming Spray

This game-changing calming spray will help a friend or family member achieve a better night's rest, thanks to the product's calming ingredients like lavender and vetiver.

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Lunya Washable Silk Set

After a long week of meetings and seemingly never-ending to-do lists, put on some Netflix and cozy up in this bestselling set of silk pajamas.

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AlwaysFits The New York Housewives Coloring Book

The next best thing to binge-watching 'The Real Housewives of New York' after a stressful day at work? Sitting down with this New York housewives coloring book and a glass of wine.

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Jungalow Raveena Vase

The key to a more calming space begins with plants...and a super cute vase to put them in.

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Lula's Garden Jewel Garden

Speaking of plants, these pre-planted fresh succulents will spark joy every time they look at them. This set from Lula's Garden is a perfect holiday gift.

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Bala Resistance Band Set

This resistance band set will give them that extra boost of motivation they need to complete their workout, ultimately reducing stress levels.

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Jo Malone Peony & Blush Suede Body and Hand Wash

Allow her to take care of her skin (and smell amazing!) with this Jo Malone peony & blush suede body and hand wash.

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Aya Paper Co. Manifestation Journal

There are few things that have the ability to lower one's stress level more than a pretty journal dedicated to setting daily intentions and crossing off an extensive to-do list.

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MoMa Scrabble Luxe Edition Game

Instead of doom scrolling, whip out this luxurious Scrabble set—featuring a large rotating board with linen texture and raised-letter grid—and try not to beat your partner for the third time in a row.

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Mother Denim Busy Doin' Nothing Socks

There has never been a bad day that a bag of chocolate and pair of cute warm socks can't fix.

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Gray Malin The Gray Malin at the Parker Two-Sided Puzzle

Yes, as we mentioned above, we still do puzzles over here. Gray Malin's double-sided, 500-piece puzzle is for the guaranteed puzzle lovers and a great distraction from the current state of the world.

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Epara Comforting Body Cream

There's no better way to unwind than taking a warm shower, wrapping a towel around your head, and rubbing moisturizing lotion all over your body. Epara's comforting body cream is an ideal gift for the fiscally-responsible woman who wouldn't dare spend the money on the luxurious lotion for herself (even though she secretly wants to).

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Slowdown Studio Gua Sha

Feel zen while using a gua sha that depuffs, contours, and stimulates healthy drainage and circulation for the skin.

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'Hallelujah! The Welcome Table' by Maya Angelou

If they have a history of stress-baking, gift them the late Maya Angelou's 'Hallelujah! The Welcome Table: A Lifetime of Memories With Recipes,' where the acclaimed writer and civil rights activist shares recipes that impacted her life and the stories behind them.

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Slip Pure Silk Pillowcase

The stressed out beauty lover in your life will appreciate a brand new silk pillowcase from Slip, which is known for its positive effects on skin and hair.

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Diptyque Figuier Hourglass Diffuser

Any Diptyque candle hoarder will be obsessed with this glass Figuier hourglass diffuser, which releases warm notes of fig and fresh leaves, to create a calming setting in their home.

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'Home Body' by Rupi Kaur

Rupi Kaur's latest collection of poetry, 'Home Body,' will inspire them to be at home within themselves. The book is filled with stories of love, loss, and, ultimately, growth.

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Chakra Zulu Crystal Sets Based on Zodiac Sign

Chakra Zulu sells crystal sets based on zodiac signs, putting a personal touch on a gift for someone in need of a good cleanse and energy recharge. The Florida-based, Black-owned shop has quite the following on Instagram.

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Aerie The Box of Emotions

The Box of Emotions consists of 80 colorful cards with mini essays on different emotions to help you process whatever you're feeling. If you're up to it, schedule a Zoom call with your best friend and go through them together.

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Society6 Safe Space Art Print

Support Black artists like Akujixxv today and every day. This "Safe Space" print is instantly calming upon first glance, and will bring a sense of peace amidst the chaos every time you spot it in your living room.

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Dodow Sleep Aid Device

This nifty sleep aid projects a little light on your bedroom ceiling for you to synchronize your breathing with—it'll expand and withdraw slowly, in line with recommend inhalation and exhalation times for maximum relaxation. After either eight or 20 minutes of this (you can pick which one), it'll gently turn itself off, leaving you to drift off.

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UncommonGoods Swivel Bath Tray

Skip the shower, grab a book, and unwind with a glass of wine thanks to this swivel bath tray. No phones allowed.

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Cammie and Kip Weeks Therapy Dough

Art therapists often use dough to help people manage anxiety and depression. If you can't afford a therapist right now, invest in your own therapy dough that will be there for you to squeeze after work. Choose from either lavender,- orange,- or peppermint oil-infused dough.

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Vitruvi Organic Lavender Essential Oil

Vitruvi's organic lavender essential oil belongs on every person's nightstand. The oil's calming scent is packaged directly from French lavender petals and is best used right before bed to assist in getting a good night's sleep. While you're at it, take a look at the brand's gorgeous oil diffuser, which comes in 10 different colors, and its bundle set.

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Dammit Dolls

Need to unleash your rage? There's a dammit doll for that. Avoid the massive hole in the wall and slam one of these dolls against your bed instead. (That's literally what they're made for.) Utilize this pack of three by gifting two to your best friends and keeping one for yourself.

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'Wow, No Thank You' by Samantha Irby

Samantha Irby's hilarious 'Wow, No Thank You' will help take your mind off of everything going in the world—namely, living in the middle of a pandemic—with her brilliant, relatable essays about, well, being a person today.

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YnM Weighted Blanket

Weighted blankets: The trend that became a bedroom staple, thanks to their legitimate anxiety-fighting powers. This cozy, affordable version by YnM has 3,650 five-star reviews to its name on Amazon.

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'The Little Book of Mindfulness II' by Alison Davies

The follow up to the original 'The Little Book of Mindfulness' is practically a meditation class transformed into a mini book. It's a reminder to slow down, pay attention to your breathing, and be present. Take it one day at a time.

Rachel Epstein is a writer, editor, and content strategist based in New York City. Most recently, she was the Managing Editor at Coveteur, where she oversaw the site’s day-to-day editorial operations. Previously, she was an editor at Marie Claire, where she wrote and edited culture, politics, and lifestyle stories ranging from op-eds to profiles to ambitious packages. She also launched and managed the site’s virtual book club, #ReadWithMC. Offline, she’s likely watching a Heat game or finding a new coffee shop.