Summer is almost here in the Midwest! My husband and children planted flowers, mulched and mowed Sunday making the yard around our farmhouse lovely. Now the view out my kitchen window is even more calming and beautiful. It made me think about those things in our lives that rejuvenate and allow us to relax and refuel. I thought it would be fun to put together a list of 9 soothing gifts for a stressed or weary friend.
I am blessed to have many wonderful gift givers in my life. When I feel stressed due to some big adventure we are in the middle of or weary due to needing to recover physically, inevitably a gift shows up. I love gifts! Love to give them and receive them. I especially enjoy sending a gift in the mail anticipating a friends receiving it! So what are some great soothing gifts for a stressed or weary friend. What gift will encourage your friend to take a breathe, find a minute for themselves, or gain some calming perspective?
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9 Soothing Gifts for a Stressed or Weary Friend
1.Tea and a beautiful mug.
This has been the year of tea for me! My mom always offers us a cup of tea when we needed to minute to rest. And this year I have put it heartily into practice by making myself a cup of tea mid morning to remind myself to slow down for a minute. I don’t know about you but sometimes I yearn for hours to myself, to quietly read or reflect. That doesn’t typically happen, but the practice of creating a relaxing moment in your morning still rejeuvenates.
Buy your friend one of these lovely Pioneer Woman mugs (like a friend did for me:) and give her some tea to go with it. Try peppermint if she likes a little extra boost. Or maybe some decaf peach or chamomile if she struggles with anxiety or health problems. ($12-$15)
2. Aerolatte Hand held Electric Milk Frother
Mornings just became more exciting! The Aerolatte froths your cream or milk making your coffee or tea a pampering experience. This gift keeps on giving. Your friend’s coffee experience will be now be extra special! ($20)
3. Simplified Cleaning Solutions
This may sound silly as a gift but I am so thankful for simplified and convenient ways to keep my house clean. Personally, I feel calmer when my house is somewhat tidy (can I get an Amen!?). Around the time of my last heart event my mother bought me a Swiffer. So those times when it is a struggle physically to vacuum or pull out the mop and bucket, I could still Swiffer and keep my floors clean. Norwex also has a great line of products that keep your house clean using only water! ($15-$50)
4. Puppy or Kitten Pics 
Seriously, what could possibly make you feel better? Who doesn’t love a great kitten or puppy pic or video sent right to their phone? Its a totally free way to say, “I’m thinking of you,” even when you don’t know what to say! (FREE)
5. Gravity Weighted Blanket
I first learned about this weighted blanket on one of my heart health Facebook groups. Many of the survivors were using this to sleep better or cope with anxiety from their traumatic event. At a homeschool convention, it was also featured as sensor therapy used with children. It is a bit pricey, so it is definitely a splurge gift. ($149-$279)
6. Diffuser and Essential Oils
Have you ever tried essential oils? Love them! They can be used for so many things from health concerns to just lifting your mood. Citrus oils are uplifting. Lavender is calming. I have found Nature’s Sunshine oils to be some of the best. When you make a $40 purchase you become a member and can shop at member cost. Rocky Mountain Oils run great sales, but I have not had a chance to try them yet. A diffuser turns the essential oil into a gentle mist that creates a soothing experience! ($40- $50)
7. Encouraging Fashion Wear
My friend and I snatched some of these t-shirts up during Cents of Style most recent sale featured on Moneysavingmom.com. The shirts come in a variety of styles with encouraging reminders such as “Choose Joy” or “Choose Happy“. And I love that Cents of Style always offers free shipping! Yay! What a fun way to let a friend know you are thinking of them and give them a sweet reminder to keep their chin up! ($19 – $29).
8. Books and a Sweet Treat 
Pick out a favorite book for a friend that needs to take a few minutes to relax and enjoy herself. I love a good mystery like the Bess Crawford mysteries by Charles Todd. And I just recently discovered Julie Klassen. Her books feel like a Jane Austen novel! If you just need some beach reading, Melody Carlson is typically a light hearted read. And she has books for teens and adults. Add in a little something sweet to eat for a special treat! ($10)
9. A Meal
What is better than a friend telling you she will be dropping off dinner to you tonite? I love to cook, but it always so wonderful to know you don’t have to worry about, “What’s for dinner?” for a night. You don’t like to cook? Drop off a food gift card! A friend of ours gave us a pizza gift card when we were moving the last time so I didn’t have to cook. My kids thought I was the greatest when I ORDERED pizza instead of pulling one out of the freezer! Win, Win! ($20 – Priceless)
Show a friend today that you are thinking of them by choosing from one of these 9 soothing gifts for a stressed or weary friend!
Miranda, I love how you put so many ideas in one post! I’m going to try pinning this for later:) Your planter looks gorgeous; isn’t it amazing how something so simple can just transform our outlook? And I really enjoy all the cute animal pics you send my way. They definitely lift me up!
Thanks, Heather! I finally had to make myself stop at just 9 gift ideas!
You could always have a Part II:)