Holiday Gift Ideas for HSPs
This post contains a list of gifts that HSPs may enjoy this holiday season (or any time of year, really). My hope is that you can use this list to pick out something thoughtful for the HSP in your life or that if you are an HSP yourself, you can use this list to find items that may soothe your mind and body. If you are an HSP who has loved ones asking what to get you, and coming up with an answer feels overwhelming, perhaps this guide can help you to more assertively give suggestions of gifts that may be appreciated.
*This post contains links to items - I am in no way affiliated with any of these businesses, nor do I receive any sort of monetary kickback. I am linking directly to the item’s creator or a small business when possible. If you have the financial means to do so, please shop small.
Gifts to stimulate your mind:
Books that are specific to the HSPs interests, or perhaps a subscription to other media related to an interest (magazine, podcast, interactive learning platform, etc).
Books about HSPs or topics relating to emotional awareness and development of psychological flexibility. Some of my favorite books of this past year include Divergent Mind by Jenara Nerenberg, Bittersweet by Susan Cain, and How to Keep House While Drowning by KC Davis (I particularly recommend this one on audio!).
Affirmation card decks that fit the vibe/personality of the recipient. Some of my favorites are Affirmators, Thera-pets, and Hope Cards.
Gifts to prevent overstimulation:
Noise cancelling headphones or earplugs can help reduce overstimulation related to sound. I personally love the Jabra headset and earbuds that I own, which have white noise and noise cancelling features.
A white noise machine can be helpful to both create a sense of privacy or drown out excessive, overstimulation noise from somewhere else in the home. I am currently enjoying this machine for sleep, which includes white, pink and brown noise as well as fan sounds.
A properly fitting sleep mask can help for those who are overstimulated by light. I was gifted this mask when I lived in Alaska and had to contend with sleeping through the midnight sun! The eye cups on this Manta Sleep mask are adjustable so that you can get the perfect fit to keep out light.
Gifts to soothe your body:
Therapy packs that can be made hot or cold are a nice dual purpose item to have around the house. I particularly enjoy the therapy pack I have from Slow North that I use to reduce eye/head tension, as well as neck pain.
I have long enjoyed my accupressure mat for when my body feels antsy and as though it needs some stimulation and support. My Spoonk mat has held up for many years and has made it through multiple moves in my life.
As a person with a chronic pain condition, I feel like I am always on the search for a good heating pad. I am really enjoying the heating pad that I got most recently from Pure Enrichment. They have a variety of size/shape options, are soft, and have variable heat settings.
Gifts to please the senses:
Candles may feel like a cliche gift but filling a room with a beloved scent can be soothing to for HSPs. Some of my favorite candle companies include The New Savant, Otherland, and Apotheke. If you do not know the scent preferences of the recipient, a gift card or sample pack may be a good option.
More simple and short term sense experiences can come from burning incense. This may be easier to gift, as you can pick out a few particular notes that may be soothing. My current favorite incense is Sparkling Gold Yuzu.
A nice lotion or body oil can is a gift that an HSP can appreciate, but be mindful that many HSPs have sensitive skin. I would only go for this tip of gift if you know of any allergies or sensitivities. Aesop has good luxury-priced options, First Aid Beauty is a nice value option.
Gifts of visual interest:
A print or small artwork of a favorite creative, or one that fits in with the vibe the HSP already has. Fun places to shop for prints with many filters to find the right thing include 20x200, Society6, and Minted.
A gift or trinket that embodies their favorite pet. I love the custom work of Rachel Kozloski and enjoy perusing Etsy for custom made pieces.
A piece of pottery or an object that is both visually interesting and texturally soothing for the receiver. I recommend checking out local artist fairs in your area to find a reasonable piece of pottery. My favorite ceramicist of the moment is Minh Singer.
