Holiday Gift Guide for the Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)

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Now that it’s December with the holidays approaching, you might be thinking, “Oh shit, another year of having no idea what to get anyone yet again.” We all know that the gifts that are most memorable and touching are the most thoughtful and personal, whether or not you or your friend, relative, or partner is a highly sensitive person. A HSP will be especially touched though by a thoughtful gift, and you know they will really appreciate you’ve considered a part of their identity that most don’t even know or care about.

In this holiday gift guide, I’ll be sharing with you a few gift ideas for the highly sensitive person in your life (even if that person is just yourself) to ease sensory overload, encourage comfort in the small things, and to inspire embracing sensitivity.

Gifts to Help the HSP with Sensory Overload

When we think of high sensitivity, we most commonly think of overstimulation with sounds, sights, smells, etc. These small gifts can help the world feel a little less overwhelming to help the HSP calm their nervous system.

Noise Reduction Ear Plugs

Instead of noise-cancelling headphones like on all the other gift guides, I'll share with you these noise reduction ear plugs instead. They are great to wear if you have sensitive ears since you can still hear everything, but it takes the edge off. These are discreet, reusable, and come in a few different sizes for a good fit. I tend to wear ear plugs like this when I have a migraine when sound is actually painful or if am in a loud place for a while, so I can hear what I need to still but at a more manageable volume.

Sleep/Eye Mask

Sleep is super important for everyone, and when we can't sleep well, it feels like the whole day is ruined. Sleeping with an eye mask has been shown to improve sleep quality for everyone, but it might be especially helpful for the HSP. This sleep mask is made of silk, which is soft on the skin and breathable. If you have big eyes or are not a fan of finding your eyelashes flattened in the morning, this is the eye mask I regularly use, which I think is a better fit since it gives more space for your eyes. I sleep more deeply with an eye mask and don't wake up to the light peeking through the early morning.

Soft and natural fabrics

For many highly sensitive people, itchy fabrics or clothing with tags are uncomfortable and just piss us off. Comfort and quality are most important, so for any sort of clothing, bedding, or towels, go for 100% natural fabrics like cotton, linen, hemp, wool, or bamboo. They are safer and breathable (unlike synthetic materials like polyester) and said to have higher frequencies that are healing, particularly linen and wool. Especially nice items to look for are fuzzy blankets, cozy socks, and oversized hoodies. You can find a lot of high quality, handmade fabrics on Etsy, but there are big brands that focus on this as well, such as Pact for organic cotton.

Aromatherapy

Smell is another sense that can feel overwhelming such as by people's perfumes or smoking while out in public. In your own space, try this small ceramic aromatherapy diffuser. It is passive, so compared to an electric one, this is silent and does not distribute a smell so strongly. Instead this is a nice touch in between and a pretty accent.

Blue light blocking glasses

With everyone looking at screens these days and more so if it's your job, wearing blue light blocking glasses when night falls will help keep your circadian rhythm regular and stress levels and eye fatigue down. You can try these blue light blocking glasses to wear when on your computer or phone or watching TV at night. As a bonus f.lux is also great to have installed on your computer to automatically change the lighting throughout the day for you.

Gifts to Help the HSP Relax and Rejuvenate

Candles

According to the Danes, candles are one of the most important elements of hygge, that Scandinavian concept of coziness and enjoying the simple things in life. Candles in a room automatically create a warm and cozy ambiance, along with a particular scent to promote calm and comfort.

Unfortunately most candles these days are pretty toxic with harmful ingredients like paraffin wax, phthalates (under the label 'fragrance'), and lead, so go for candles made of natural waxes like beeswax, soy, and coconut that have a wick made from cotton or hemp. The scent should also come from essential oils or the actual plant such as rosemary leaves for a rosemary scent. You can easily find many lovely handmade and safe candles from Etsy, or you can try festive holiday scented candles off Amazon.

Grounding shoes or mats

Grounding or earthing are slowly but surely becoming part of mainstream media. The idea is that physically touching the earth is healing for us as we are also a part of nature. Since most of us wear shoes made of rubber, we're cut off from connecting to the ground, which has a negative effect on our health. Grounding has been shown to have many benefits including improved sleep and circadian rhythm and reduced stress and inflammation. I have used a grounding mat from Earthing and noticed improvement in my sleep and waking up less often in the night. I also make more of an effort to go outside and touch the grass with my feet soon after waking up and have noticed major improvement and regularity with my sleep schedule.

You can also continue feeling the benefits with shoes that are made of conductive materials like leather, hemp, cork, or wood. That might not be as practical, so you can try grounding shoes from companies like Harmony783 and Bahé.

Skincare

For a relaxing experience with skincare, simple is best. If you also have sensitive skin, most of the brand name products irritate your skin, so keep it simple with products that are just a few ingredients or less. Go for organic shea butter, oils like coconut, olive, and jojoba, or honey and tallow. For a particular skincare brand that specializes in sensitive skin, Blissoma is the winner. It's the only brand that my sensitive skin liked and never had a negative reaction to. I've happily used their "soothe ecosystem" for extremely sensitive skin.

Tea or Cacao

When you imagine coziness in winter, do you also think of bundling up under a blanket with a warm drink? There are plenty of teas for boosting energy, immunity, sleep, or whatever you have in mind, but instead of pre-packaged tea bags made with microplastics, get loose leaf tea. You know and see exactly what's in it, and it's nicer for you and the planet. For the tea lover, a personal glass loose leaf teapot fit for one could be a thoughtful gift.

For those of you that prefer coffee, I invite you to consider cacao. Studies show cacao drinks are actually more nutritious with less caffeine than coffee. It also is a good mood booster without side effects like the jitters and anxiety you might experience with coffee. Look for an unsweetened or lightly sweetened cacao powder to have with milk and enjoy hot chocolate every day like a kid.

Gift Certificates for the spa, yoga classes, etc.

Lastly, anything that encourages taking a pause in the day to slow down and relax are great gifts for the HSP. Check out the massage studios, acupuncturists, yoga studios, or wellness centers in your local area. You can't go wrong with experiences that promote relaxation and health.

Gifts to Inspire the HSP

For the highly sensitive person in your life, a gift that helps them embrace their sensitivity and uncover their gifts is a very thoughtful one. You'll be remembered as one of the few in their lives who is considerate of this trait of theirs.

Books

Whether your highly sensitive person is familiar with their sensitivity or not, the book The Highly Sensitive Person by Elaine Aron is a classic. It'll help them feel more understood, not so alone, and a little empowered. Other good books to help with slowing down and enjoying the simple things are those about hygge, such as The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living by Meik Wiking. Hygge is a Scandinavian concept, or lifestyle and mindset, around finding happiness and appreciation in the simple everyday things of life.

Meditation

Meditation is a beautiful way to be inspired as well as to strengthen our intuition and regulate the nervous system. You can gift premium subscriptions to apps like Calm, Headspace, or InsightTimer for high quality meditations for any situation or goal.

Journals

Another great gift idea is a journal that has a theme such as gratitude, self-care, astrology, or the wheel of the year. It offers a reminder to live each day meaningfully and is a little boost for your mental health. I'll be using this self-care journal over the next year if you'd like to give it a try with me!

Happy Holidays from Sensitive Nomad

Lastly, a gift that only you can make or would know to buy is maybe the best for that highly sensitive person in your life, but I hope this guide has given you a few ideas! Wishing you all a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Happy Yule, and all the other Happy Holidays!

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Welcome to Sensitive Nomad

Tuning into Your Intuition as a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)

Hygge for the Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)