The holiday season is quickly approaching! Every year, I find myself asking the same question: What should I give my loved ones? Or even, what should I put on my own list? This year, I finally have the answer, and it feels more meaningful than anything that could ever be wrapped with a bow: the gift of health.
I’m celebrating five years since beginning my own health journey, and I can confidently say that investing in myself has been the best decision I’ve ever made. That investment has taken many forms: fitness, nutrition, mindfulness, and functional medicine. Each step has helped me feel healthier, more energetic, stronger, clearer, younger and more alive.
So, as I think about gift-giving this year, I’m leaning into what I call “gifts of health.” These are the kinds of gifts that inspire wellness, whether physical, nutritional, or mental. They’re thoughtful, practical, and lasting. And really, is there any better time than the holidays to give something that shows true love and care?
Gifts of Physical Health
- Gym membership or Pilates/yoga classes
- A new yoga mat or resistance bands for at-home workouts
- Weighted vests (these are so popular right now!)
- A gift certificate to Defy of Indiana to explore functional medicine
- A $49 Heart Scan for early detection and peace of mind
- An electric toothbrush or whitening treatment (I am a dentist, after all!)
- New workout clothes or a fitness app subscription
Nutritional Gifts
- A healthy cookbook or cooking class
- A meal subscription plan
- Perfect Aminos or a protein snack gift basket
- A high-quality blender for smoothies
- A reusable water bottle that makes hydration easy
- Gift certificate for meals from a place like Herculean or Factor for premade meals
Gifts of Mental Health
- A meditation app subscription
- A massage or spa gift certificate
- A Defy of Indiana facial for relaxation and glow
- Aromatherapy oils or a diffuser
- A beautiful journal for reflection
Why These Gifts Matter
The best gifts don’t fade with time. They don’t sit on a shelf or get tucked in a closet. Gifts of health keep giving, every single day, supporting energy, confidence, joy, and longevity.
When you give the gift of health, you’re not just giving a present. You’re giving encouragement. You’re giving care. And you’re giving someone the opportunity to feel their very best, inside and out.
And I can’t think of a better gift than that.
By Dr. Amy Marckese