If you’re like me and approaching your 40s, you’ve probably noticed changes in the people around you. Friends and loved ones are prioritizing their health more than ever—whether it’s through exercise, better nutrition, or focusing on mental well-being. Most of my friends are in their late 30s or early 40s and committed to staying healthy.
That inspired me to put together a list of gifts that would make any fitness and wellness enthusiast (myself included) happy. This list covers everything from supplements and superfoods to wearable tech and tools that boost fitness performance or support mental health.
So, if you are struggling to think of a valuable present for a very close friend or spouse or need inspiration for a birthday gift, this list is perfect.
1. Oura Ring 4
This one feels a bit personal, but if you’re not quite ready to propose yet still want to “put a ring on it,” the Oura Smart Ring 4 could be the perfect choice. While plenty of smart rings are on the market, the Oura Ring 4 stands out as a leader. It tracks sleep, temperature, menstrual cycles, and so much more. The longer you wear it, the more personalized its insights become, helping to enhance overall well-being.
A couple of things to keep in mind:
1. The app requires a monthly subscription of about $6, so one of you will have to cover that cost.Â
2. You’ll need to know the exact ring size to ensure a snug fit for accurate tracking.
2. Whoop Band
If figuring out ring sizes feels tricky or you’re worried about sending mixed signals, the Whoop wristband is a great alternative. With bands ranging from free to $99, the Whoop is perfect for anyone who loves tracking their athletic performance and recovery. It offers even more detailed data than the Aura Ring.
I treated myself to a Whoop band as an early Christmas gift, so stay tuned for my honest review!
If your loved one already has a Whoop band, you can always get them accessories like an extra band or a Whoop lounge set.
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3. Reusable Water Bottle
Every gym bunny needs a good water bottle. It keeps us hydrated, saves money and minimises our exposure to microplastics. A water bottle is a practical gift that you can’t go wrong with. Don’t know which one to choose? Read The Best Water Bottle Brands And Products 2024
4. Barefoot ShoesÂ
Feet health has been discussed in the wellness community this year. People are starting to understand that healthy feet are important for fitness performance and healthy ageing. Many brands are creating amazing sports and lifestyle shoes. If you are unsure where to start, I recommend Vivo Barefoot for sports shoes.Â
If your friend needs new winter boots, you can find inspiration here.
5. Toe or Grip socksÂ
If you are not ready to splash out on shoes but still want to get something useful, grip or toe socks would be an amazing gift for your fitness-obsessed friend.Â
Toe socks let your foot move freely without squeezing your toes. They are great when wearing wide-toe box barefoot shoes or at home, while grip socks can be worn during pilates or yoga. Grip socks keep your feet safe, clean and warm without compromising the freedom of your toes.
6. A massage or a massage equipment
Exercise is great for our bodies, but sometimes we overwork our muscles, and they need some help to restore. Massage is the best way to relax and help muscles heal. You can get a relaxing massage for your friend, but ideally, you want to find a qualified sports massage specialist who can help.Â
If a massage is not an option, the closest thing to it would be a massage gun, roller, or massage ball. I love using a massage gun and also my massage ball when I feel sore. I would recommend getting a sustainable massage ball, or a ball set that is made from cork. Â
7. Mindfulness app subscriptionÂ
The area that we all tend to neglect in our busy lives is our mental well-being. There are many ways to enhance it, but one way to keep our minds happy is meditating daily, even for a few minutes. I would recommend buying a subscription to a well-known mindfulness app like Calm,
You can purchase a gift of the year for $69.99 or a family subscription for $99.99 a year and share it with five other people as a Christmas Gift.Â
Another great option is Headspace.Â
You can gift a yearly subscription for $69.99 or a three-month option for $38.99.
8. Air PurifierÂ
It is not a very romantic Christmas gift, but it is something that a health-obsessed person would appreciate. They are great for enhancing sleep and cleaning the air from all kinds of pollutants that can help with respiratory problems and increase overall well-being.Â
If you don’t know what an Air Purifier is, you can check out my article: The Best Air Purifier Brands And Products 2024, where I explain why we need Air Purifiers and the best air purifier brands and models you can buy.
An Air Purifier would be a great gift for the well-being-obsessed, someone who just got a new house, had a baby, or lived in an urban area.Â
9. Glass food storage containers
People who care about their health cook at home to ensure they know what goes in their food and can better estimate how much they eat. Cooking healthy foods takes time and, therefore, has to be done more in batches and stored for a few days.Â
There always need to be more containers in the kitchen to store multiple meals. Knowing about the dangers of microplastics, glass containers are the best solution. Choose multifunctional containers with lids that can be good for packing lunch. This set is great as it has a variety of microwave—and oven-safe dishes with and without lids.
Buy glass containers with bamboo lids to make them even more sustainable and healthy.Â
10. Good quality superfood or supplementÂ
Health and performance-enhancing supplements will always be welcome in wellness and fitness communities. I suggest consulting with your friend first, but you can’t go wrong with good-quality vitamin D, Spirulina, Creatine, Irish Seamoss, or Protein Powder.Â
Tip: Make sure to consult your friend about allergies and intolerances. Only give products that are good quality with no added filler ingredients, 3rd party tested reliable brands.
To summarise, I hope you found this gift list helpful, and it will make your life a bit easier when thinking of good gifts for your loved ones. Just a quick note:
This post contains affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission if you buy through them at no extra cost. For more details, please check out my Affiliate Disclosure, and thank you so much for supporting Barefoot Basil 🫶
Silvija Meilunaite PN1-NC, is a certified nutrition coach and a writer in the nutrition and self-improvement field with a passion for exploring science-based knowledge focusing on holistic health and plant-based nutrition.
Featured in the Wellness on Time magazine.
