What do you give to someone who is depressed?
If you’re thinking of buying a loved one or friend with depression a gift make sure it’s personal to their current situation.
People who are suffering from depression (in many cases) have a tough time doing basic daily tasks, such as getting dressed or washing their hair. Others may put on a brave face and seem to function normally even though they are experiencing long term depression.
Therefore here’s what I recommend:
- Focus on buying (or creating) gifts that will make their day a little easier and more enjoyable.
- Encourage them with gifts that relate to their interests and hobbies (even if they aren’t that focused on them at the moment). By helping your friend engage in activities that lift their mood can be a lifesaver and reduce low feelings.
- Give gifts that someone can enjoy with one of their 5 senses. This allows them to enjoy the simple things in life which is what they need right now.
Related: The Best Cozy, Hygge Gift Ideas
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Self Care Gifts for People with Depression
1. Essential Oils
My go-to essential oils are from Simply Earth. They have high-quality, pure essential oils and the prices are really affordable. They also have a monthly recipe box subscription (details below) which is my favourite part!
Relaxing Essential Oil Recommendations:
Relaxing essential oils help you unwind at the end of the day and are a great way to calm the mind as well as release tension.
- Lavender – this is a classic blend that I love on its own or with a couple drops of peppermint
- Tranquility Blend – Great for helping ease feelings of stress and anxiety.
- Sleepy Blend – This does what it says! This blend of lavender, grapefruit, howood, & bergamot helps you relax before bed.
Mood-Boosting Essential Oil Recommendations:
Essential oils are also a great way to boost your mood.
- Happy Joy Roll On – This happy blend of refreshing oils is perfect to put in your purse so you can use it anywhere. You can also get Happy Joy in a bottle so you can use in your diffuser.
- Orange and Lemon single oils. I love combining these two essential oils to start my day. The clean smell really uplifts the mood.
2. Essential Oil Gift Box (Coupon Code below)
The perfect gift for essential oil lovers or yourself! With this essential oil subscription box you get 4 essential oils plus ingredients, containers and extras you need to make 6 natural recipes.
- When you purchase your first subscription box you get a FREE Big Bonus Box from Simply Earth + a $40 gift card with the use of my promo code PUTTHEKETTLEONFREE
3. Essential Oil Diffuser
Using a diffuser is my favourite way to enjoy essential oils. Not only does it bring beautiful aromas into your home but also unique lighting for the evenings that create the coziest of atmospheres.
My top essential oil diffuser picks…
200ml Simply Earth Diffuser
300ml VicTsing Essential Oil Diffuser & Cool Mist Humidifier
4. Weighted Blanket
A weighted blanket feels like a soft hug and is the perfect gift for people who have trouble sleeping, have anxiety or those who just need some extra comfort to feel good.
Tip: Weighted blankets need to be chosen for different body weights, so make sure to select the correct weight for the person you are buying for.
YnM Weighted Blankets
Check out the beautiful colours and patterns to choose from.
Gifts to Help Improve the Daily Routine
5. Cute Mug with Coffee or Tea
This may seem cliché but something as small as a cute mug can bring a smile to someone’s day. Before I drink tea in the morning I always choose a mug that gives me a happy memory or makes me feel good.
Here are some of my top picks for cute mugs…
3D Cute Cow Mug (Many other animals to choose from!)
Just Believe Inspirational Mug
Today I Will Choose Joy, Ceramic Mug
You Are My Sunshine Stoneware Mug
Don’t forget to add in some good quality tea or coffee!
My tea pick…
Taylors of Harrogate Earl Grey, (Many other varieties available)
More Tea Related Gifts: 12 Unique Tea Gifts for the Tea Lover in Your Life
6. Food Subscription Box
Making a meal when you’re depressed can be a real challenge, so a meal kit box is the perfect way to show someone you care. It will also help them get back into the kitchen with ease.
I personally love HelloFresh due to the variety and healthy meal options.
HelloFresh Canada (Get $40 OFF)
7. Lend a Hand
When someone is severely depressed they aren’t able to function enough to do normal daily activities. Therefore by visiting them and lending them a hand with tidying, cleaning, shopping or cooking is the best gift you can offer.
Physically showing up for someone reminds them they are loved and not as alone as they may think. That human contact helps even when your loved one is at their lowest point and has a hard time interacting.
Creative Gifts for a Depressed Friend
8. Adult Colouring Book
There are so many benefits of colouring for adults with the main being stress relief. This simple activity is my go-to when I feel heavy stress building up. Just 15 minutes colouring in my favourite books really lifts a weight from my chest.
Add a cup of tea and some happy music and you can lift your spirits very quickly.
These are my colouring books that I use on a regular basis and absolutely love.
The Lost Ocean: An Inky Adventure Coloring Book for Adults
Adult Coloring Book: Stress Relieving Designs
Add in some glitter pens or coloured pencils for a well-rounded gift that will make your friend smile 🙂
9. Relaxing Puzzle
Mountains on Fire – 750 Pieces
Succulent Garden 500 Piece Double Sided Puzzle
10. Hand Lettering & Calligraphy Guide
Similar to colouring, hand lettering can be extremely relaxing for many people. This is the perfect gift for someone interested in learning a new creative skill.
Beginners can start with this ultimate guide teaching the basics…
The Ultimate Guide to Modern Calligraphy & Hand Lettering
Add this beginner Tombow Fudenosuke Brush Pen Set which are the go-to pens for many professional modern calligraphers.
Find more thoughtful gifts here.
Book Gifts for a Somone with Depression
10. Mind Over Mood: 2nd Edition – Change How You Feel By Changing The Way You Think
This was the workbook I used when I was going through group therapy for depression. The primary focus in Mind Over Mood is teaching Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. This life-changing book focuses on depression, anxiety, anger, guilt and shame and has been sold to more than 1.1 million readers.
11. The Happiness Project, by Gretchen Rubin
This is still one of my favourite books on happiness. I’m a strong believer that you can (somewhat) be in control of your happiness – even when going through depression. This means making a choice to add things to your day that feel good – and The Happiness Project is just that.
Gretchen Rubin shares her 12-month journey of testing a variety of methods on how to find happiness. Great read!
12. Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things, by Jenny Lawson
A funny book about dealing with mental illness. Jenny Lawson shares her personal experiences dealing with depression and other mental illnesses and how she chose to find ways to be furiously happy – taking moments from fine to amazing.
Being furiously happy is “The difference between surviving life and living life.”
Journal Gifts for Depression
13. Daily Gratitude Journal
Practicing gratitude is something I mindfully focus on every day and the act of writing down what you are grateful for is a perfect place to start. Here is a simply beautiful journal to help your loved one begin…
Good Days Start with Gratitude
Includes a beautiful quote to ponder for each week of the year plus 3 spots to write what you’re thankful for every day.
14. Self Exploration Journal
Start Where You Are is a beautiful journal packed full of colourful, inspiring quotes, writing prompts and worksheets. A thoughtful gift to help someone reflect on the positive moments in their life.
Start Where You Are: A Journal for Self Exploration
15. Happiness Journal
A weekly journal to help people focus on the happiness already in their life. 52 Lists for Happiness includes a weekly writing prompt designed to help individuals understand what makes them happy.
52 Lists for Happiness: Weekly Journaling Inspiration
More Gifts for Loved Ones Suffering from Depression
16. Plants
One of the lifesavers for someone with depression is to have something (or someone) to look after. This is where a plant comes in. Plants are simple enough to look after and have many health benefits.
My top recommendations for easy to look after indoor plants…
- Aloe Vera
- Money tree (aka Guiana Chestnut)
- Boston fern
- Spider plant
- Peace Lily
17. Thoughtful Card
Sending a little note to someone when they’re down and depressed can be such a beautiful gesture, especially when your loved one is not expecting it.
Simply saying, I love you, I’m here for you, I’m thinking of you goes a long way in helping someone feel supported.
Here are some of my favourite thoughtful cards you can send…
Fun, Thinking of You Cards: Pack of 30, 6 designs
Thinking of You Printable Cards
Check out more printable cards:
(I only use printable cards these days. Just get yourself some good quality card stock and print at home. Very easy, especially when you’re short on time!)
Find more thoughtful gifts here.
How Do You Cheer Someone Up Who Has Depression?
When it comes to depression you may be able to cheer someone up (temporarily) but healing from depression goes a lot deeper than having a good laugh or fun time. Saying this, the best way you can support someone with depression is to let them know you are truly there for them.
Many people who are depressed assume others don’t want to be around them. This can be a cognitive distortion in many cases.
Therefore, just showing up for someone goes a long, long way.
How do you ‘show up’?
Simply, be in regular contact with that person. Send a text. Make a phone call. Write them a card. Pop by and say hello. And if you want to give them a gift during an especially hard time or an important occasion – make it a personal, thoughtful gift.
*Note: I am not a medical professional, but share this advice and guidance from my own experiences with depression and cognitive behavioural therapy. If you or someone you love is suffering from depression reach out to a family doctor or a mental health facility. Depression doesn’t get better on its own and medical/therapeutic support is often needed.
Related mental health articles & resources:
- How to Set and Achieve Your Mental Health Goals
- 20 Inspiring Quotes to Give You Strength When You’re Feeling Low
- 30 Self Love Journal Prompts to Boost Self Esteem
- How to Love Yourself & Get Rid of Negative Thoughts
- Do You Have a Feel Better Routine? 9 Ways to Reduce Stress Now
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Yolanda xo
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Omg. These gifts are perfect. What beautiful ways and things to give someone. Thank you so much for a great post.
Thanks so much Naia – glad to hear you enjoy!
I love aromatherapy & a weighted blanket! I think everyone should own one. It soothes the soul & mind. Great list!
Hi Lidia – I agree and using the two of them together is even better! xo
Holy cow this is an absolutely AWESOME list. And I think it is so wonderful that you thought about people with depression. I feel like these are such well thought out gifts. I, personally, would love every single one of them. Not only as a therapist, but also as someone who has depression. By the way, Johanna Basford is my favorite coloring book author. I can only inspire to be able to create as amazing coloring books as she does.
Hi Nancy – Thanks so much! I really tried to think of gifts that will bring a smile to someone’s face or help them work through depression in small ways. Johanna Basford’s books are gorgeous, aren’t they?! Take care!
I love these gift ideas, in particular the cow mug which is really sweet! I think the idea of sending little cards or notes is also really lovely 🙂
Hey Alison! I’m in love with the cow mug too – I think I need to treat myself! xo
Lovely post, some great gift ideas. I love putting together little self care boxes for my friends and family when they’re not feeling so great. Someone bought me a adult colouring book when I was really struggling and I always felt so calm and relaxed when I sat down and coloured in. Great post, thank you for sharing.
Chloe xx
Hi Chloe! That’s such a lovely gesture – creating a self care box. So thoughtful and caring of you 🙂 Hands down, colouring books always help me – of course I loved colouring as a child and that hasn’t stopped! Take care!
These are all great ideas! Thanks for putting such a thoughtful list together.
Thanks so much Jennifer! 🙂
wow – this is SUCH a great idea and very much needed! I have some people in my life that are unfortunately going through a tough time… so these suggestions are super amazing and I would love to use some of these ideas to help them! Thank you so much!
Thanks Pam! Sorry to hear you have some people you are close to going through a hard time. The biggest gift you can do is just be there for them 🙂 Take care!
What a great compilation! We have the gratitude journal, and it’s something we fill in as a family at dinner every night! It helps the kids learn and be aware of what they are thankful for, and often sparks great conversations! I’ve recently been sending small gifts to friends randomly just to bring some happiness to the mundane quarantine life. I’m totally adding many of these items to my list! Thanks so much for sharing!
Hi Rachel! I absolutely love that you practice gratitude with your family every night. That’s amazing and will make such a positive impact on your kids in their life. So lovely! So happy you like the gift ideas and you sound like a wonderful person – thinking of others during this year of crazy. Take care xo
This is such a fantastic list. It is also something that needs to be in the forefront of our minds right now. There are probably even more people suffering from depression as a result of the pandemic and these kinds of thoughtful gifts are a great way to give support.
That is certainly true about people suffering from depression even more due to the pandemic. Thanks for the note and take care 🙂
I reallly love your insight on how to show up for people with depression. Letting them know you care is so important and sometimes we can get so wrapped up in our own world we may forget. For me this is was such a strong point I think it will stick me for a very long time. Thank you for that insight. P.S. Phenomenal list of gift ideas!
I was glad I came across this. These are great ideas! Weighted blankets have been my favorite gifts to give over the past year. Maybe it was my secret way of giving them a hug 🙂
Hi Amy – that makes so much sense that weighted blankets = a big hug. I just love that perspective! xo
What a great compilation! I love the idea of giving gifts specifically for people with depression. It is really thoughtful. Thank you for sharing!