30 Thoughtful Gifts for People with Depression
What do you give to someone who is feeling down and 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.
Whether you’re looking for a gift for someone who has seasonal depression or someone with longer-term depression, there are a few things to keep in mind…
What do you give someone who is struggling with depression?
Whether it’s a family member, a friend, a neighbour, or colleague, when someone is having a tough time with mental health issues, here’s what I recommend to give the right gift.
- Focus on buying (or creating) gifts that will make their bad days 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.
- Lavish gifts are not necessary – the point of gift-giving is to let your loved one know you care.
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30+ Best Gifts for Someone With Depression
1. 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…
52 Week Gratitude Journal
This beautiful journal was created by yours truly.
Designed to help you practice gratitude every week of the year. Providing you with writing prompts to help you take notice of the positive things in your life.
Includes 52 gratitude writing prompts, quotes, colouring pages and lined pages for independent writing.
Check out the journal here.
2. Mood Tracking Journal
When someone is suffering from depression they are often recommended (by therapists) to track their mood.
This mood journal has beautiful journal prompts and connects mood to daily activities.
That way you can focus on doing more of what feels good and avoid what keeps you down.
It includes self-reflection pages, monthly tracking and daily journaling.
Today I Choose Joy: Mood Tracker Journal
3. Self-Love Journal
A 30-day self-love journal challenge designed to help practice self-love every day.
Each week you’ll find:
- Daily self-love writing prompts
- Weekly reflection prompts
- Plus inspirational quotes and colouring pages
Also, includes self-love affirmations to inspire you plus a ‘write your own’ affirmations page and 75 self-care ideas you can use throughout the 30-day challenge.
Love Yourself First Daily Guided Journal
Self-Care Gifts for People with Depression
4. Essential Oils
My go-to essential oils are from Simply Earth.
They have high-quality, pure essential oils and the prices are really affordable.
Simply Earth 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.
5. Simply Earth 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.
6. 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 it also provides unique lighting for the evenings that create the coziest of atmospheres.
My top essential oil diffuser picks…
200ml Simply Earth Diffuser
This Simply Earth mist diffuser has a gorgeous minimalist design and many colours to choose from to light up your space.
7. Car Essential Oil Diffuser
This essential oil car diffuser is perfect to bring calming, feel-good scents on the go and it’s super cute as well!
8. YnM Weighted Blanket
A weighted blanket feels like a soft hug and is the perfect gift for people who have trouble sleeping, have anxiety or 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.
Check out the beautiful colours and patterns to choose from!
9. Make a Self-Care Kit
A self-care kit is a great way to show someone you care.
You can either make your own or buy a monthly subscription box.
To make your own self-care kit I recommend:
- Something to drink: herbal tea, hot chocolate or your friend’s fave coffee
- Something cozy: Candle, fluffy socks or slippers
- A book or journal (you can get some ideas from the other ideas in this article)
- Something to look after – a small plant is perfect for this
- A caring note or card letting your loved one know how much you mean to them
- Something for the bath or shower: bath bombs, bubble bath, a face mask (hint: If you live with your loved one draw them a warm bath too, so all they have to do in get in.)
Tip: Use different colors in the self-care kit that will create a happy feeling. For example, in color therapy yellow can be used to improve your mood and make you more happy and optimistic.
10. Self-Care Gift Boxes
You can also opt for a self care gift box where everything is already curated for you.
Here are some of my favourites:
Sending Warm Hugs Care Box
Includes a thoughtful card, cute speckled mug, tea, cinnamon and fuzzy socks
Cozy Self Care Gift Box
This thoughtful self-care gift box includes a vegan leather notebook, pen, soy candle, cozy socks, glass cup, lemon verbena handmade soap and natural air freshener. Just beautiful!
Gifts to Help Improve the Daily Routine
11. Cute Mug
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!)
The cutest gift for all types of animal lovers. They have polar bears, cats, dogs, squirrels, foxes and more.
Click to find your fave animal at the bottom of one of these cups.
12. Cozy Tea
Don’t forget to add in some good quality tea or coffee to add to the mug you’ll gift.
My tea pick…
Taylors of Harrogate Scottish Breakfast, (Many other varieties available)
More Tea-Related Gifts: 12 Unique Tea Gifts for the Tea Lover in Your Life
13. 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)
- HelloFreshUS
Creative Gifts for a Depressed Friend
14. Adult Coloring Books
There are so many benefits of coloring 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 of 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 the colouring books that I use on a regular basis and absolutely love.
The Lost Ocean: An Inky Adventure Coloring Book for Adults
Secret Garden: An Inky Treasure Hunt and Coloring Book
The creator of these books, Johanna Basford also has a gorgeous Christmas colouring book too!
Add in some glitter pens or coloured pencils for a well-rounded gift that will make your friend smile 🙂
15. Relaxing Puzzle
Love Tree of Life 1000 Piece Puzzle
Positivity Puzzle (500 Pieces)
16. 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.
Book Gifts for a Somone with Depression
17. 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.
18. 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!
19. 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.”
20. What Happened To You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience and Healing
What Happened to You? is a collaboration between Oprah Winfrey and Bruce D. Perry, MD. Oprah shares her experiences with emotional and physical abuse as a child.
Alongside co-author Bruce D. Perry, MD shares powerful strategies to rebuild self-worth and happiness in life.
More Gift Ideas for Someone with Depression
21. Light Therapy Lamp
A light therapy lamp is perfect for those with SAD (seasonal affective disorder) and anyone who lives in a climate where it’s dark or grey outside for long periods of time.
Using a light therapy lamp is a great way to add a little sunshine to your day.
22. Gift Certificate for a Massage or Mani/Pedi
Treat your friend to something that will make them feel good physically and mentally and this is definitely a massage or manicure/pedicure.
The kind gesture will be much appreciated.
23. Subscription to a Meditation / Mindfulness App
Apps like Headspace provide meditation and mindfulness tools to support mental health.
You can sign a friend up and even sign up alongside them to share the experience.
24. Take Your Friend Out For A Paint Night
Paint nights have become so popular in the past 10 years. Look for a local art studio – many offer an evening of painting on Canvas.
25. Subscription to a Music Service
Music is a great way to escape and the gift of a subscription to Apple Music or Spotify is such a treat for a friend who’s having a tough time.
26. Subscription To Audible
When you’re going through depression it can be hard to pick up a book and physically read it and that’s where an audiobook can be so helpful.
Give the gift of Audible so your loved one can get lost in a good story.
27. Movie Tickets or Gift Card
Gift your friend a movie night – ideally a feel-good movie or comedy.
28. 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…
Cute Tea Quotes Cards
These are from my new printables shop and are designed to send a caring message to make someone’s day.
Easy to print at home and use as often as you like.
Check them out here.
(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!)
Fun, Thinking of You Cards: Pack of 30, 6 designs
These cards are so handy to have a home so you can send a little note to someone when they need a pick me up.
They come with a variety of messages and coloured envelopes to choose from.
Check out the cute designs here.
29. 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.
30. 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
There are some amazing plant subscriptions you can gift. Here’s one I love…
Succulents Box
Super cute and affordable monthly succulents subscription box with options of 1 to 4 succulents each month. Choose from 1, 3, 6 and 12 month boxes.
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What are the Best Ways To Cheer Someone Up Who Has Depression?
When it comes to depression, as well as anxiety disorders, you may be able to cheer someone up (temporarily). However, healing from depression goes a lot deeper than having a good laugh or fun time.
Saying this, the best way you can support a depressed person 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 – especially if it’s during a time like the holiday season when emotions can feel even more intensified.
Tip: Check out this article on encouraging words for a friend going through a tough time which will help you communicate with your loved one.
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 therapist, 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:
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Thanks for this article. I have a close friend suffering from depression for the last 2 years since this pandemic started… I really want her out of the rut she is in and will try giving her gifts to break the spell. I really like your ideas and will settle on the oil diffusers and plants. Thanks again!
Hi Dan, This pandemic has been hard on so many. Sounds like you’re a good friend. I’m sure it will be appreciated 🙂
As someone in the counseling field, I love that you included plants! I’ve seen countless people improve their mental health by gardening or growing a single plant! Love it!
What a great compilation! I love the idea of giving gifts specifically for people with depression. It is really thoughtful. Thank you for sharing!
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
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!
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 🙂
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
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!
These are all great ideas! Thanks for putting such a thoughtful list together.
Thanks so much Jennifer! 🙂
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!
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
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 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
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!