Are you stumped about what to buy your friends and family for Christmas this year? Many of us are keen to give loved ones something different, swapping the usual boxes of chocolates and beauty gift sets for presents with more meaning.
And in the midst of the cost of living crisis, giving handmade presents is to be encouraged.
We’ve asked health, fitness and wellbeing experts for their favourite Christmas presents to help people feel good, stay active and be well into 2026.
The nutritionist
Registered nutritionist and author Rhiannon Lambert, whose upcoming book The Fibre Formula is due out in March (rhitrition.com), advises giving a sweet treat with a difference. “For the chocolate lovers in your life, good-quality dark chocolate (around 75% cocoa tends to contain more naturally occurring antioxidants) can make a gorgeous Christmas gift.
“As a self-confessed dark chocolate fan, it’s something I always love to receive. Beyond tasting wonderful, darker chocolate varieties contain naturally occurring compounds such as flavanols, which may offer antioxidant benefits and could play a role in supporting heart and brain health.”
The wellbeing GP
London-based NHS GP Dr Gareth Patterson spreads good gut bacteria along with cheer at Christmas. “Fermentation kits are a fun, approachable way for people to support their gut health,” he says. “Making things like kefir, kimchi or sauerkraut at home sounds complicated, but a simple kit removes the guesswork. It’s a great conversation starter, and once people try it they often keep it up because the results taste good and contain those beneficial live cultures.”
He also gives mindfulness or meditation app subscriptions. “It’s a genuinely supportive gift, something that helps people feel calmer day to day without being overwhelming.”
The dermatologist
Dr Thivi Maruthappu, the UK’s first dual-qualified dermatologist and nutritionist, and author of Skinfood: Your 4-Step Solution to Healthy, Happy Skin (drthivi.com), recommends Dirtea mushroom coffee, £38, and matcha, £48 (dirteaworld.com).
“I’m obsessed with Dirtea, it’s a delicious and energising way to start the day without that anxiety and slump that caffeine can bring. The coffee is made of a ‘superblend’ of mushrooms to help with focus and concentration, and both are also high in antioxidants for extra skin-loving benefits.”
The family food guru
“A great gift is a really decent all-round kitchen knife,” says registered nutritionist Rob Hobson, author of the books Unprocess Your Life and Unprocess Your Family Life. “People rarely buy one for themselves, but it makes prepping fresh ingredients so much easier and is a quiet way of supporting healthier habits.
“You can also buy knives for children with little holes for fingers, which is a great gift for a parent and child to get them both cooking.”
The women’s health advocate
The ‘gift of knowledge’ is the preferred present of dietician and performance nutritionist Dr Linia Patel. “I love to give a subscription to a health or food magazine – whichever you think they’d like most,” says the author of Food for Menopause.
“A cooking class is also a wonderful experience,” she adds. “And cooking from scratch is something we all need to get better at doing.”
The dietician
“I love to make gifts such as homemade lime pickle, jams and chutneys, homemade apple crisps, crackers and flavoured nuts,” says registered dietician Priya Tew. “In a world where we buy so much, people seem to really love the homemade touch.”
The immunity expert
“My go-to gift each year is a bottle of truly exceptional extra virgin olive oil,” says Dr Jenna Macchiochi, author of Immunity: The Science of Staying Well.
“Not the supermarket standard, but a beautifully produced, high-polyphenol oil from a farm that prioritises freshness, early harvest and regenerative practices. As an immunologist, I love giving something delicious that’s also grounded in genuine science. High-quality olive oil is naturally rich in polyphenols with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and longevity-supporting properties.
“Oleocanthal gives that distinctive peppery ‘catch’ in the throat, and both compounds contribute to the metabolic and cardiovascular benefits associated with the Mediterranean diet. It’s always a hit because it’s thoughtful, suitable for everyone and encourages a small daily ritual that supports wellbeing.”
The home exercise expert
Personal trainer Caroline Idiens recommends the classic Christmas gift of bath salts. “They have amazing anti-inflammatory benefits and help provide some relaxation,” she says. Her pick is The Z’s Bath Salts, £56, by Dreem Distillery.
For staying active during the colder months, Caroline recommends running gloves. “Running gloves are essential if, like me, your hands suffer when exercising in the cold.”
The osteopath
“A good night’s sleep is so important for your wellbeing so I love my silk eye mask,” says osteopath Nadia Alibhai. “I take it with me whenever I travel and they’re a great gift as they’re so light.”
“A rebounder is a great gift too, as they’re easy and fun, but also beneficial for lymphatic drainage, for helping joints and for strengthening bones,” she says. “They’re great for cardiovascular exercise too. I’d choose a brand that’s small enough to be easily stored away.”
The dentist
“I really like water bottles as a present,” says dental implant surgeon Dr Vikas Prinja. “They’re so useful, and a nicer one than you’d usually buy for yourself makes a good gift. Hydration has a direct impact on oral health: when someone is dehydrated, saliva flow drops, and saliva is one of the body’s most important natural defences against plaque, irritation, acidity and bad breath.
“A really effective stocking filler is an SPF 50 lip balm,” he adds. “The lips have almost no natural UV protection and dry out faster than any other skin on the face. Keeping them protected supports the soft-tissue barrier around the mouth.”
Read more…
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