Lockdown gifts to cheer up loved ones

PURCHASES TO HELP COMBAT THE PANDEMIC BLUES

by ASJAD NAZIR

WITH Covid-19 not going again anytime soon, we can expect lockdown and isolation orders until Spring.

This will have left a lot of people feeling down and in need of a pick-me-up. With that in mind and Christmas around the corner, there are some great affordable lockdown gifts you can get for loved ones that will put a smile on their face and make the extended time indoors a little easier. Or you can just order it for yourself.

Plants: They are not just good to look at, but plants have been proven to be good for the health, including mental well-being. Studies have shown that house plants can lower stress, increase productivity and are great mood boosters. Growing and looking after plants is also a great project for the long time spent indoors. They are available in all sizes, from the very small to the small olive trees.

Happy mug: Being indoors during the cold winter months will result in an increased intake in hot beverages, so a marvellous mug is a great gift. Either send a personalised one with a photo on it or you can get one with a fun or endearing message, like you miss someone.

Fun mask: It looks like masks will be a way of life for a long time and rightly so. Why not gift someone a mask that will not only keep them safe, but also lift their spirits. There is everything from ones with a message to masks with fun photos and fashionable ones.

Lockdown hamper: Send a personalised lockdown hamper to a friend, which contains all the things that will get them through the time ahead, including incense sticks, luxury food, diary, a good book, scented candles, beauty products, a relaxing foam bath and anything else your friend will like.

Letter: Social media, technology and smartphones have made people forget about the classic art of letter writing, which remains one of the most personal gifts you can send someone. So, why not go old school and write letters to a loved one or send them a card to let them know that they are being missed.

Book: More people are reconnecting with reading than ever before, so why not gift a good book. With smaller independent retailers being hit the hardest during this current crisis, why not help them by purchasing a book, so you do a good deed and buy a timeless gift.

2021 diary: If 2020 was filled with despair, then 2021 offers up hope and that is why a diary to document that way back is a perfect gift. It can also offer beacons of hope with key dates to look forward to like special occasions that were postponed because of lockdown caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. They can also add prompts, reminders and to-do lists to help keep motivated.

Neck massager: With most of us stuck indoors or working from home, the stress levels are increasing and what better way to combat that than with an affordable neck massager. The innovative gentle massaging action will enable the user to switch off and recharge their batteries.

Hug pillow: Loneliness has risen during lockdown. So, if someone is isolating alone, then why not send them a hug pillow they can cuddle up to and feel less alone with during lockdown.

Pillow spray: With sleep patterns being disrupted, getting a restful night is becoming more challenging than ever. One good way to aid sleep is the scented pillow sprays, made from pure essential oils, which make bedtime more relaxing than before.

Art: Multiple studies have shown that art can help mental health and added time indoors enables people to reconnect with something they perhaps haven’t done for many years. The more advanced artists can be gifted canvases and paints, but there are plenty of options for beginners like colour by number sets. There has also been a rapid rise in adult colouring books becoming popular again.

Lounge wear: Added time away from the outdoor world means we are all wearing lounge wear more than ever before and quite frankly enjoying it. So why not gift a fun pair of pyjamas, a nice tracksuit or a mood brightening sweatshirt guaranteed to put a smile on someone’s face.

Streaming services: With cinemas closed and more time spent in front of the TV, binge-watching has increased. That is why a subscription to a popular streaming site like Netflix, Disney Plus or Amazon may be a good gift for someone. So, on those days they are really bored, there will always be something to watch.

Photobook: Happy memories are a great way to get through tough times and a perfect way to reignite them is to create a personalised photobook. It is a lot easier than you think to create them and can be done from the comfort of your own home.

Personalised puzzles: A good way to help the mind remain active is through puzzles. So why not send a mindfulness puzzle book to someone? You can also personalise a puzzle by creating a jigsaw yourself, up to a 1,000-pieces with a photo on there.

Cookbooks: Last, but not least, the most popular indoor hobby has been cooking throughout lockdown, with people attempting everything from dishes to trying their hands at baking. Why not help the culinary mastery with a cookbook.