HSP Holiday Gift Guide
Do you know someone who is an HSP (Highly Sensitive Person) and want to give them a gift that says you see them and know them? Or maybe YOU are an HSP and are looking for some items to put on your Christmas wishlist this year.
With the Holiday season approaching I wanted to put together an HSP Gift Guide that you can share with your friends and family. Whether you are an HSP yourself, or you know an HSP - this gift guide is full of best gifts for a Highly Sensitive Person.
1. Noise Reduction Earplugs
Whenever I find out someone I know is a Highly Sensitive Person one of the first things I recommend to them is noise reduction earplugs. They are the best gift for an HSP!
“According to Dr. Elaine Aron, an expert and pioneer in highly sensitive people, HSPs have an even greater susceptibility to noise compared to non-HSPs. This is because they process information more thoroughly, are more easily stimulated, [and] are more aware of subtle stimuli...” - Highly Sensitive Refuge
This means we are often asking our partners to “turn down the volume” or stop tapping. We can often get anxious or irritable simply because we are overstimulated. Quieting our environment can be a HUGE help to ease our anxiety and return us to a calmer state.
Noise reduction earplugs are especially helpful for HSP parents who have noisy little ones at home. In Dr. Elaine Aron’s book The Highly Sensitive Parent she shares about an HSP father who would come home from work to a noisy house with screaming children and always feel overwhelmed and irritable. She suggested that he wear earplugs for the first half hour upon arriving home, and once he did he reported that it made a world of a difference! His spouse also reported that he wasn’t grouchy or irritable like he used to be.
I have personally used these many times at home when my son is very fussy or crying in the car. I love that they come with a little case so you can keep them in your purse and take them on the go. Use them anywhere! Like in loud crowded environments, noisy restaurants, football games, on airplanes, while at the movies or a concert. They are a GAME CHANGER!
“Loop Quiet are earplugs that reduce noise by 25 to 27 decibels, which most describe as medium noise reduction. Made of soft silicone, Loop blocks most noise to give you peace and make your world more quiet. ”
SHOP NOISE REDUCTION EARPLUGS HERE
2. Cuddle up with a Weighted Blanket & a Book
What could be better than the gift of a calming weighted blanket and a great book? So often HSPs can feel defective and defeated in our fast paced world that is catered to the non-HSP population. How wonderful would it be to give them a book full of tools to help them feel seen and empowered?
The Highly Sensitive Person's Growth Guide: How to Feel Empowered In An Overstimulated World by Damien Blair will teach them how to use their strengths as an HSP in a way that aligns with their purpose. In the book they will also find:
The unique traits of a highly sensitive person
A self-examination quiz to determine if you are an HSP
Learn everyday strategies to cope with an overstimulating environment
Tips to processing intense emotions
How to communicate effectively with others
How to reprogram your thinking to control guilt and shame
How to set personal boundaries
How to control your own nervous system even if you feel like it is beyond your control or you have tried other methods and failed.
Pair this book with this beautiful weighted blanket - the perfect match! Did you know that HSPs actually have a more activated fight or flight response than most people?
“An overactive nervous system can lead to anxiety, hyperactivity, rapid heart rate, and shortness of breath, which are not conducive to sleep. By distributing an even amount of weight and pressure across the body, weighted blankets may calm the fight-or-flight response and activate the relaxing parasympathetic nervous system in preparation for sleep.” - SleepFoundation.org That’s fantastic since HSPs are notorious for having sleep issues.
3. The Herbivore Calm Bath Set
Highly Sensitive people are among the 15-20% of the population that have a more finely tuned nervous system than the rest. This means our nerves often get overloaded and we need more down time to rest and recharge.
As an HSP, one of my favorite ways to relax and unwind is somewhere that no one will bother me- in the bath tub! What better way to treat the HSP in your life than to give them a luxury bath experience! This adorable bath set is just as cute as it is practical.
4. Ordinary Habit Puzzle Collection
It’s so important for HSPs to have stress-relieving activities that they can use as an outlet. Puzzles are one of my favorite ways to allow my mind a chance to rest. To take time for myself, set my phone aside, and focus on doing something tactile with my hands truly feels so good.
Plus HSPs are naturally great at noticing subtle differences and minor details which really makes them excellent at doing puzzles!
I LOVE all of the modern and aesthetically pleasing puzzles from Ordinary Habit. They have smaller puzzles for on the go, or multi-puzzle collections for the avid puzzler in your life.
5. Teapot & Decaf Tea
One thing many HSPs have in common is a sensitivity to caffeine. I know I do! Sometimes if I have a cup of coffee in the morning I feel jittery and strange and it can even throw my whole day off!
“As highly sensitive people are continuously in fight or flight mode, we have no need for stimulants most of the time–in fact stimulants do more harm than good. We are already aroused enough as it is without the kick up the backside that coffee gives!” - Richard J Oneill
Giving up caffeine will really help an HSP “feel more collected and calm” - Psychology Today. I’ve personally really gotten into herbal teas because of this. There’s something about making a pot of tea for your family or friends when they come over that feels so cozy and fun!
If your HSP loved one hasn’t kicked the caffeine yet, why not introduce them to a whole decaf tea experience?! They might end up loving it and never want to go back!
I LOVE this modern Teapot and cup set! It pairs perfectly as a gift set with this decaf Tea Sampler. Whoever this gift is going to will be in love and feel “Oh So Calm!”
6. Punch Needle Kit
Some of the most creative people are actually Highly Sensitive. “Making or creating something can be very cathartic, especially for those who are highly sensitive. HSPs recharge their energy away from extra stimuli; they need time to process their thoughts alone. Artistic endeavors and craft projects allow HSPs to focus on something physical while letting their mental, and creative, side explore.” - Highly Sensitive Refuge
DIY creative kits are a great HSP gift! How cute is this Pillow Punch Needle kit? It’s the perfect craft for an HSP! Giving them an opportunity to recharge and rebalance during a solo craft is so important for the HSPs in our lives.
7. Diffuser & Essential Oils
As an HSP, essential oils have been just that to me, essential! The calming scent of Lavender diffused throughout the house is SO nice. Not just for myself as an HSP, but for the whole family! Using oils can promote focus, decrease headaches, and aid in sleep amongst many other benefits.
One ESSENTIAL oil for those that are highly sensitive is Vetiver (also referred to as the oil of tranquility in India). It’s very helpful for three common HSP problems: anxious thoughts, overarousal of the mind, and turning off the brain at night.
“Ever just lie in your bed with racing thoughts? The struggle is real. [Vetiver] has some sedative properties, so applying or diffusing it at bedtime is super helpful to just turn it all off for the night and go to sleep.” - Rise and Shine
This is a great gift for any HSP since we get exhausted easily and need more sleep than most people.
And, who doesn’t love a beautiful diffuser? Not only does is pair great with a set of oils, it can be the perfect piece of decor for an HSP.
SHOP ESSENTIAL OIL FOR SLEEP HERE
SHOP ESSENTIAL OIL STARTER KIT HERE
8. EMF Blockers for Cellphones & Computers
“Those of us who are more sensitive and or empathic tend have a more sensitive central nervous system. And are energetically more vulnerable to environmental stressors- EMF’s, noise, light, other people’s emotions and physical pain.” - Eileen Burns
There is so much evidence coming out that shows that EMFs (electro magnetic frequencies) like those that come from our cell phones, computers, TVs and other electronic devices could be harming our body.
“Some people may try to convince you that the negative health effects of Electromagnetic Radiation are simply a hoax thought up by extremely paranoid people. Unfortunately, research is proving that this is not the case at all. The more research that is done on the matter, the more solid evidence we see that Electromagnetic Radiation emitted from laptop computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices can be harmful to our bodies.” -Source
After doing some research myself and watching a video showing how blood reacted under a microscope while being near a cell phone vs. being near a phone with an EMF blocker, I knew I wanted to get an EMF blocker for my phone.
I recently bought two of these amazing EMF blockers and put them both on my cell phone. I can totally tell a difference in my body when I am on my phone now compared to before using them. It’s hard to explain, but before using the blockers I felt disturbed in my body when I was near my phone. After having the EMF blockers on my phone my nerves don’t feel the same way anymore. I’ve also noticed that I fall asleep faster than before (I sleep with my cell phone on my nightstand). Some people also report that they have more energy, stop getting headaches, and don’t experience a tingling feeling in their hands anymore when using their phone. That’s amazing!
Since HSPs are already so sensitive to their environment, this is a great gift for them, especially if they have a job that requires them to be on their phone or computer.
I hope you found this HSP Holiday Gift Guide helpful! Follow me on Instagram for more HSP content!