Happy Holistic Holidays

This season, the definition of an indulgent gift goes beyond expensive jewelry and designer handbags. Smaller luxuries that make life better – a massage, a hot cup of tea, a restorative lotion – can be the most inspired gifts of all.

Think about giving those who count most in your life – your spouse, sister, mother or best friend – gifts that inspire and uplift; gifts that are beautiful and good for them, in a calming sort of way; gifts they will love you for every time they use them.

April Masini, an author and online advice columnist, believes the concept of holistic gifts – gifts that do good for the recipient and for the world – is the new frontier of luxury. “The problem with giftgiving at holidays is that all the good gifts have been given,” says Masini. “Sweaters, watches, jewelry – it’s all been done and done and done. “Holistic gifts are a new arena to explore, buy and give in.”

The word holistic, meaning a whole that’s composed of interdependent parts, has become a sort of shorthand for referring to the connection between mind, body and spirit. Applied to health and medicine, the term has become a synonym for nontraditional, alternative therapies.

But in its widest meaning, holistic refers to something that embraces the whole person and the whole situation. Holistic gifts, then, are those intended to enhance the well-being of the recipient in all aspects of their life. Is there any better way of saying I care about you?

Ahh, Spa!

An obvious way to enhance someone’s well-being is with a gift certificate to a spa, and it’s usually a wellreceived choice. Spa treatments range from simple facials and massages to more rarified body wraps, salt scrubs and hot stone massages.

“A gift certificate for a spa is great, especially for someone who’s never been to one,” says Gary Walther, editor-in-chief of Luxury SpaFinder magazine. “It’s a gift many people would never buy for themselves.”

These days, there are tons of products you can give so the person can recreate that “spa” feeling at home. Beautifully packaged selections of DIY spa treatments are widely available on retail shelves this season, at all prices.

Check out local spas and salons, boutiques and department stores. The Bliss “Merry Citrus” set of lemon + sage body scrub, body butter, body wash and soap ($38) delivers some of the trendy spa chain’s most popular products for an at-home retreat. Or try things she can keep in her bathroom, like the Om Petite Spa ($28), a duo of body polish and lotion available in upscale spas and boutiques. For the man in your life, try the Osmotics Male Daily Essentials Set ($55), which comes with a scrub cleanser, facial sunscreen/moisturizer, shave butter and after-shave balm, all in a dark, guy-like box. A girl a little younger will love ME!

Bath, ice cream scoop- shaped bath fizzes in gift sets ($28). You’ll find the Los Angeles-based company’s shower “sherbets” and “ice cream sandwich” soaps in department and specialty stores.

Health & Wellness It might be rude to get someone a membership to Weight Watchers (talk about a hint!), but it’s very acceptable to get a gift certificate for a personal trainer. Bostonbased Bodyscapes, for example, sells certificates for a certain number of sessions with one of their personal trainers. Since it’s not a gym – all they do is personal training with just a few people at a time – it’s much less intimidating for a recipient who might not want to head to a gym.