Holiday self care: a curated gift guide for relaxing at home
Being a family caregiver can be an always-on job. The hours are long and your to-do list never seems to end. It’s no surprise then, that 60% of caregivers report feeling burned out, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
While a vacation may not be in the cards, the holiday season presents a perfect chance to prioritize self-care. Setting aside some “me time” can help reduce anxiety and depression, ease caregiver-related stress, and combat overwhelm.
To support these efforts, we’ve created a shoppable list of our favorite self-care products. Whether you’re a caregiver yourself or want to brighten the life of someone who is, these items can make a great gift basket and support caregiver well-being.
How We Chose The Items On This List
The items featured on this list are some of our best-selling, highest-rated self-care products. To make shopping easier, we’ve included real customer feedback whenever possible, under the heading: “Hear It From a User / Caregiver.”
Carewell’s 9 Best Products for Holiday Self Care
If you’re curating a gift basket for yourself or another caregiver in your life, make sure it includes at least a few of these items.
1. Alba Botanica Moisture Shampoo, Coconut Milk
Washing your hair with a high-quality shampoo may not sound very exciting, but it can be a wonderful addition to any self-care routine. The warm, running water and smell of shampoo provide a relaxing sensory experience, while shampooing itself stimulates the scalp and eases tension.
This Alba moisture shampoo is a customer favorite. It smells great, contains moisturizing aloe vera, and is enriched with coconut milk to reduce scalp irritation.
Key Benefits & Features
This shampoo contains 100% vegetarian ingredients. It wasn’t tested on animals and is cruelty-free.
This shampoo is specifically formulated for dry hair. It’s enriched with ingredients proven to improve hair hydration.
The shampoo smells great and is pH-balanced to maintain hair color, prevent excess dryness, and maintain a healthy scalp.
Price: $9.04
2. Alba Botanica Moisture Conditioner, Coconut Milk
This Alba Botanica Moisture Conditioner is the perfect complement to Alba Botanica Moisture Shampoo. It’s enriched with coconut milk, fatty acids, protein, and aloe vera, keeping your hair soft, nourished, and strong. The conditioner smells great and provides extra protection during heat styling to prevent your scalp from drying out.
Key Benefits & Features
This conditioner is pH-balanced to support hair and scalp health.
The coconut milk nourishes and hydrates your hair, keeping it strong, beautiful, and healthy.
This conditioner doesn’t contain sulfates, parabens, or phthalates, so you can feel good using it.
Hear It From a User: “[This conditioner is] great!” - Jared R.
Price: $7.16
3. Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion with Soothing Oat
Activities like bed bathing, changing incontinence products, and handwashing can affect your skin, causing it to dry out, chap, and become scaly. Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion effectively addresses these issues by providing clinically proven moisturization that lasts up to 24 hours. The unique formula locks in moisture, soothes irritated skin, and is non-greasy.
Key Benefits & Features
This lotion is gentle and non-irritating, so it’s suitable for people with sensitive skin and skin sensitivities.
Dermatologists have recommended Aveeno products for over 70 years. This lotion is safe, moisturizing, and effective.
This lotion improves the skin’s elasticity and firmness, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and skin folds.
Hear It From a User: “Aveeno hand and body lotion is always so good. It moisturizes the skin without heavy perfume. Five stars!” - Barbara B.
4. Aquaphor Advanced Therapy Hand and Body Moisturizer
Aquaphor hand and body moisturizer can be used as a lotion or first-aid ointment. It’s dermatologist-recommended and clinically proven to restore smooth, healthy skin. Aquaphor applies easily, doesn’t smell, and keeps the skin comfortable, especially during periods of strong wind and cold weather.
Key Benefits & Features
This multi-purpose ointment protects and soothes dry skin, chapped lips, and cracked hands and feet.
Aquaphor is a great addition to any first-aid kit. It can protect minor cuts, burns, and scrapes, and speed up healing.
Aquaphor is fragrance and paraben-free, so it’s safe for people with allergies and sensitive skin.
Hear It From a User: “5 stars! I’ve used this for years. [It was] recommended by my doctor and [I’ve] been very satisfied.” - Margaret G.
Price: $19.41
5. Acure The Essentials Moroccan Argan Oil
Who needs to visit a spa, when you can get luxurious treatment at home? This Acure Moroccan argan oil can be used on your skin, hair, and nails. It’s packed with essential ingredients, like vitamin E, fatty acids, and proteins to enhance the appearance, tone, and texture of skin and hair.
Key Benefits & Features
Argan oil is called “liquid gold,” because it's lightweight and easily absorbed. Applying it daily keeps your hair, skin, and nails healthy and hydrated.
It provides instant moisture, making it perfect for soothing painful cuticles, cracked elbows, and dry heels.
Free from parabens, petrolatum, and formaldehyde. This oil is also cruelty-free with no animal-testing involved.
Hear It From a User: “This oil helps with my eczema. My skin stays moisturized longer, especially when combined with ointment.” - Nichiole D.
Price: $10.84
6. IMAK Cold Therapy Eye Mask
Try this cold therapy mask if long caregiving hours have left dark bags under your eyes or you need to relax after a long day. Made of soft, breathable cotton, it’s gentle on the skin. The mask can be placed in the fridge or freezer before use for added comfort. It also contains ergoBeads that massage the skin, providing a soothing experience.
Key Benefits & Features
The adjustable strap ensures a comfortable fit, regardless of the wearer’s head size.
The mask conforms to the eyes and facial features, blocking out excess light.
The ergoBeads inside create a gentle, massage-like effect on and around the eyes.
Hear It From a User: “Best mask ever! I loved this mask so much [that] I bought four more. [It’s] extremely comfortable; like a weighted blanket for your eyes. [It] does not press against your eyelids. I use it everywhere!” - Cheryl W.
Price: $22.47
7. Bed Buddy At Home Relaxation Mask, Lavender and Mint Fragrance
This Bed Buddy home relaxation mask is designed to relieve sinus and tension headaches while reducing puffiness around the eyes. It can be microwaved for moist heat or placed in the freezer as a cold compress. With an elastic band to hold it in place and a satin back for added comfort, it offers a soothing experience whether at home or on-the-go.
Key Benefits & Features
The mask contains essential oils and natural herbs to help you relax, restore, and rejuvenate.
The adjustable strap ensures a comfortable fit, regardless of the wearer’s head size.
Can be used to relieve tension headaches, sinus headaches, or puffy, swollen eyes.
8. McKesson Terries Slipper Socks
Nothing takes the edge off a cold winter day, like a cozy pair of socks. These McKesson slipper socks are made of a soft, breathable polyester-nylon knit and come in five colors: Teal, light blue, royal blue, red, and grey. The grips on the bottom provide traction and prevent slipping.
Key Benefits & Features
The highly elastic, comfortable cuffs hold the socks in place without being constrictive.
These socks are comfortable, colorful, and machine-washable.
The soft, breathable nylon keeps your feet warm and cozy.
Hear It From a User: “These socks are the warmest. They keep their shape and don’t stretch out! I love the grips on the bottom that are shaped like paw prints! All around great quality!” - Kaitlyn J.
Price: $19.99 - $79.20
9. Epsoak Natural Collection Sleep Formula, Lavender Epsom Salts
Soaking in a warm tub with Epsom salts is a great way to wind down after a long day. It also relieves tense muscles and helps you recuperate from the daily grind that caregiving presents.
Epsoak Sleep Formula contains magnesium to ease tight muscles and is infused with premium lavender essential oil to promote a better night’s sleep. It smells great, helps flush toxins from your body, and makes bathtime that much better.
Key Benefits & Features
This Epsom salt mixture softens skin, cleanses pores, and detoxifies the body.
Can be used for a calming bath or a simple foot soak.
Promotes restful sleep, so you awaken feeling rested, rejuvenated, and ready to take on the day.
Get Fast, Free Shipping & 30% Off with Autoship
We believe holiday self-care should be affordable and accessible to all caregivers, regardless of budget. That’s why we offer fast, free shipping on all orders $49+. Signing up for our Autoship program can save you even more. New Autoship enrollees get 30% off their first order and an additional 5% off future orders on qualifying products.
Need Assistance Crafting the Perfect Gift Basket? We Can Help!
Creating a gift basket for yourself or a loved one can be intimidating, especially if you aren’t familiar with all of the products we offer. Don’t stress! Our compassionate, supportive Care Team is here for you. They speak English and Spanish and are available 24/7, including weekends and holidays. Call (800) 696-2273 or email support@carewell.com. We’re here for you!
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Read More >Chad Birt is a freelance medical writer who resides in Astoria, Oregon. When he isn't behind a keyboard, you can find him hiking, camping, or birdwatching with his wife Ella and their two dogs, Diane and Thoreau.
Chad Birt is a freelance medical writer who resides in Astoria, Oregon. When he isn't behind a keyboard, you can find him hiking, camping, or birdwatching with his wife Ella and their two dogs, Diane and Thoreau.