Self Care Box Ideas & DIY Gifts
If you are thinking about giving a self-care box to the favorite female in your life, here are some things to consider before you get started. Whether the gift is for a family member, best friend or your daughter (at home or away at college), these self care box ideas make an excellent gift that you can personalize to suit the recipient.
Women of all ages (including yourself – if you would like to have one too!) will find something to love in these do it yourself (DIY) self care package ideas.
Decide if You want a Theme for Your Self-Care Box
Depending on who you are giving the box to what type of theme do you like the best? You could go with any of these options:
- Wellness Box – pick and choose from any of the options below, you could also add a book on health and wellness
- Skincare Gift Basket – definitely lots of ideas below for this one focused on pampering your body
- Stress Less Box – this would be great for someone with a stressful job or a time of life change (breakup or divorce)
- Spa Gift Box Ideas – This is similar to the pamper set – this would be good for a new mom or caregiver
- College Care Package Ideas – perfect for college goodie boxes and general college survival as a gift box for your college student
- Pamper Set – bath gift box ideas – focus on ways to relax at home making the most of bath
- New Mom or Empty Nest Mom or Anytime Mom – Mothers Day gifts or for those life transitions like being a new Mom or an empty nester
- Best Friend or Sister Box – These kinds of gift baskets for self care are excellent gifts and allow you to DIY a Beauty Box Gift with them in mind
- Special Occasion – Anniversary, Birthday, New Job, Bereavement – a self-care box would be a good gift to mark any of these occasions
What will you use to hold your self care box gift (a box, basket or other)?
One great way to build a self care box is to consider what kind of container you want to give the gift in. You could make a self-care basket (like the one below) filled with lots of different personal care items.
Self Care Gift Baskets
Or, if you want her to have multiple boxes to open, you could use a gift box (different sizes below) in a plain color or with a design (depending on the holiday season and if it is a Christmas gift or a birthday gift).
Self Care Goodie Bags and Gift Boxes
Rsgift Rose Gold Magnetic Empty Gift Box,7.8x7x3.1 Inches Gift Boxes with Lids
Your other option is to use a gift bag or other wrapping you have on hand. To some people the presentation is important, to others it doesn’t matter. Because the good things inside will be what ultimately counts anyway and the presentation is just the icing on the cake.
Self-Care Box Ideas – Things to Buy and Suggested Items
The following are some great ideas to include in your self care gift. And, you can include one or more of the following as your budget allows:
Self-Care Basket Ideas to Include:
Face Masks
These would be a great addition as a fun way to pamper themself (or as an addition for your own self care kit, for that matter).
I DEW CARE Korean Glass Skin Sheet Mask 14 Variety Pack
Bath Must Haves
Some bath bombs like these from Amazon would be a good choice. They come in multiples, so you could include a few and keep the rest for a future gift.
Aofmee Bath Bombs, 7 Bath Bombs for Women, Handmade
Or if you are feeling crafty and have the time, you can even make your own with this bath bomb recipe from Hip2Save.com.
Self Care Gift Card
Include one to a spa, massage service or hair and nail salon. There are lots of possibilities to make the giver feel especially pampered.
Small Self Care Gifts like Coloring Books and Colored Pencils
Similar to the ones below are a good idea. If you know what her interests are, there are coloring books for just about everyone (from florals, mandalas, fantasy, patterns, animals, you name it). If you want you can also include a nice set of colored pencils, crayons or markers too.
Serenity Adult Coloring Book (31 stress-relieving designs) (Studio Series Artist’s Coloring Book)
Sargent Art Set of 52 Colored Pencils including Metals, Assorted Colors
Stress Relieving Self Care Items to Consider Including in Your Self Care Package
If you know your best friend loves nothing better than a hot bath after a stressful day, then bubble bath and bath salts like these would make great self-care gifts.
Another way you could show you care, while letting them choose the scent, would be a Bath and Body Works or L’Occitane Gift Card.
Bubble Bath
Bath Salts
Stress Relievers to Add to a Self Care Basket
Another great addition for someone who going through difficult times and who needs to let off a little steam would be to add a stress ball (like the ones below).
As an example, a wonderful friend gave me one of the toys below when I was having a stressful time at work. It was and still is very satisfying to to bang it on my desk when I get really mad or frustrated.
On the flip side, affirmation cards (like the ones below) can be a way to reframe the situation depending on the type of person they are.
Stress Balls
Power Your Fun Arggh Mini Stress Balls for Adults and Kids
Fun Stress Busting Toy
Dammit Doll – Classic Random Color, Stress Relief – Gag Gift – 1 Doll
Affirmation Cards for Women
Oprah’s The Life You Want™ Daily Inspiration Cards!
Wellness Basket Ideas
Yoga and Mindfulness
Do you have a friend whose favorite things includes yoga as a way to practice a self-care routine? If so, consider adding a new yoga mat or yoga accessories.
You could add something like the ones described in this article “How to Begin a Simple and Easy Yoga Practice”. In addition, an essential oil diffuser with an assortment of different essential oils would also be a great gift idea.
Gaiam Yoga Mat – Premium 6mm Print Reversible Extra Thick Non Slip Exercise & Fitness Mat
Water Bottle with Straw, 32oz Motivational Water Bottles with Time Marker to Drink
Pamper Box for Women
How about adding some of life’s little luxuries to a self-care gift box?
If you just want to acknowledge and recognize your friend for the joy she adds to your life, you could include some little luxuries for her self-care package.
Some ideas to consider include fuzzy socks, nail polish in the latest trend colors, lip balm, and other self care beauty products like these.
Other nice ideas are bath items, eye mask, hand cream, body butter, lip scrub all in a nice gift box.
Fuzzy Socks (aka Butter Socks)
UGG Women’s Cozy Chenille Sock
Pretty Pink Nail Polish
Essie Nail Polish, Salon-Quality, 8-free Vegan, Finish, Mademoiselle
Conditioning Lip Balm
Silk Eye Mask for Better Sleep
Decadent Hand Cream
AHAVA Dead Sea Water Mineral Hand Cream – Hand Moisturizer For Dry Cracked Hands
Moisturizing Body Cream
NIVEA Essentially Enriched Body Lotion for Dry Skin, 48-Hour Moisturizing Lotion
Hydrating Lip Mask
Grace & Stella Award Winning Lip Plumper Nourishing Berry Lip Mask – Lip Balm
Any of the above self care box ideas would be a welcome addition to your self care package. Which ones attract you the most?
Go with your first instincts and don’t over think it as you really can’t go wrong!
Self Care Box Ideas for Extra Bonus Points
You could score extra bonus points from the gift recipient. Just add these to your self care gift basket to take your friends stress levels down a few notches.
Things you could add to a self care box as additional goodies could include:
What about a sweet treat like fine chocolate? Or you could include some pre-packaged cookies like Milano or Biscoff and tea to have in a new mug.
Fine Chocolates
Cute Mug
Karma Gifts 16 oz Black and White Boho Mug Dragonfly – Cute Coffee and Tea Mug
Variety of Teas
Customize Your Self Care Package with Something Specific to Her Interests
If you know your friend has been too busy over the last year to enjoy much in the way of entertainment (new baby, crazy job, just life, or caring for an elderly parent), you could also gift her with a good book you recommend. Here are some ideas to check out from this recommended list.
Does she love movies and TV shows? If so, you could include a list of your favorite movies too. You could also include a gift card to Netflix or other streaming service too.
That way, she doesn’t have to sift through all the options and can just jump into a binge-watching session.
One Last Idea – Give the Gift of Time
Perhaps the best thing you could add to a self care package is a card with a note saying you would love to spend time with your friend. Often what we really need is the connection that comes from spending time with our friends.
It doesn’t matter what you do necessarily, it is the time spent that counts.
Devoting a little of your time and attention to self care can be one of the best ways to take care of your ongoing mental health. Because a little bit can go a long way towards making bad days seem less so.
Your days become better when paired with good things like a phone call with a friend, meeting up at a coffee shop or spending time journaling your thoughts.
For instance, making sure taking care of your overall physical health is on your priority list each day. You can each motivate each other to practice excellent self care on an ongoing basis.
25 (Plus) of the Best Self Care Box Ideas to Include in Your Gift Basket:
- Cozy Robe
- Fuzzy Socks
- Comfy Pajamas
- Plant or Flowers (if giving in person)
- Face Masks
- Bath Bombs
- Bath Salts
- Bubble Bath
- Gift Cards
- Adult Coloring Book
- Stress Ball
- Yoga Mat
- Water Bottle
- Essential Oils
- Essential Oils Diffuser
- White Noise Machine
- Sleep Mask
- Nail Polish
- Lip Balm or lip scrub
- Beauty Products – like moisturizer, hair masks, lotions, etc.
- Body Butter
- Hand cream or hand lotion
- Assorted chocolates
- Cookies – prepackaged
- Good book
- Journal
- List of good movies to binge watch
- Teas
- Customize by adding something specific to her interests (cooking, gardening, reading, etc.)
- Box, Basket or other Container
Still Looking for More Self Care Things to Buy for Self Care Box Ideas?
What if you would rather do something that can be outsourced or scheduled? If you like the idea of monthly or quarterly self care subscription boxes and are interested in those, please see this article on “Self-Care Subscription Boxes”.
If you are looking for even more inspiration for products than these self care box ideas, check out these “25 Self Amazing Self-Care Products to Help You Destress Now”. Or, if you are looking for more easy self care ideas to suggest for her or yourself, see this article “Simple Self Care Ideas and Tips You Need In Your Life”.
If you think these are great ideas but you want even more, check out the “DIY Self-Care Relax Kit” to help you put a self-care box together in no time.
In conclusion, whether you are making your own self-care kit, a wellness kit or self care basket for someone else, a custom care package can make the perfect gift for that special friend in your life. Enjoy!
While you are here, make sure you grab your copy of the "Self-Care Mini-Guide" to help you figure out how to add self-care to your daily life. Just click the link Loveselfcare Self-Care Mini-Guide to download your guide!
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