Staying Holiday Healthy + Gift Ideas for Your Mom or Mother-in-law

Happy Wednesday all! Today, I’m sharing 5 things I plan on doing to stay on track during the upcoming holiday. If you know me well, you know balance is my motto…I eat wholesome, nutrient dense foods because they make me feel good. I like having energy, feeling healthy and vibrant, and knowing I’m fueling my body with what it needs. BUT, I also believe little indulgences are critical to leading a well-balanced, healthy lifestyle.

During the holidays, the line between “little indulgences” and full-blown over-eating becomes blurred and that is where I set my focus. Sure, I want to sip my favorite libations, enjoy a sweet treat, and savor rich foods, but I think it’s possible to do so without ending up in an uncomfortable food coma. Here are 5 tips for staying healthy and happy this holiday:

1. Have a snack before the get-together: this is probably my #1 tip and I find it works incredibly well. I make a conscious effort to eat a healthy meal and to have a snack prior to attending any parties or events. Why? Because when I arrive to a gathering hungry, I immediately beeline to the chips and dip and struggle to pull myself away. When I start my morning with a hearty, healthy breakfast, and have a snack before leaving, I find it much easier to make a small, reasonably portioned appetizer plate. Oh, that’s another tip.
2. Always plate your appetizers! When you put everything on a plate, you know exactly how much you’re eating…as opposed to taking things one by one, which makes it easy to lose track of what you’ve eaten. Pick your favorites, plate them, and try to stick to one plate. Save up for the main course so you can thoroughly enjoy the primary meal!
3. Stay hydrated & keep track of your cocktails: For whatever reason, when I’m out of my usual routine, I struggle to drink as much water as I would on a typical day. I really have to remind myself to stay hydrated on busy, holiday days. Another smart thing to do is set a cocktail limit (I know, I know, I sound like a party pooper…), but really after awhile, too many libations just make you feel tired anyway. I try to stick to 3 glasses of my favorite vino. Another idea? Space out your drinks…so after one glass of wine or a cocktail, have a glass of water.
4. Relax: Christmas comes and goes so quickly, so take time to relax both by yourself and with your loved ones. Most of us will have some extra time off during the holiday season, so sleep in, meditate, pray, read a good book, catch up on the phone with a friend, savor every sip of your peppermint mocha…taking care of yourself will allow you to make the most of the time you spend with your loved ones. Don’t let stress run the holiday season, let joy.
5. Stay active. To the best of your ability, stay active. Sure, take a day or two or three off, but don’t let those few days turn into a week…or two weeks. Try to maintain your workout routine as long as you can and as much as you can over the next few weeks. At your family parties, see if another family member wants to join you on a quick walk. Before you head out to a party or an event, squeeze in a quick at-home workout… doesn’t have to be fancy, just move around, get your blood and energy flowing…you’ll feel so much better if you do!

Alright, that’s my plan as we approach Christmas…I always try to remember…yes…holidays are meant for enjoying fun seasonal foods and drinks, but the most important part is being surrounded by the ones you love. So focus on conversations, hugs, laughter, smiles, stories being told…be present this holiday season. Stay healthy, stay well, and savor each and every moment.

I also wanted to share some gift ideas for the women in your life today, particularly moms and mother-in-laws. I have gone so many different directions in terms of gifts for my mom and my mother-in-law…home decor, kitchen gadgets, luggage, clothing, jewelry…there are so many wonderful options out there it can be overwhelming. I decided to break it all down into categories for you for easy reference! I hope you find this helpful!

GIFT IDEAS FOR YOUR MOM OR MOTHER-IN-LAW 

LUGGAGE + TRAVEL ACCESSORIES

If you know your mom or MIL could use (or has requested) new luggage, this is such a wonderful, practical gift option! Elevate the luggage experience with a pretty carry-on or a convenient weekender bag in lovely, neutral color. This would make a great group gift, since luggage can be quite expensive! You could pair a bag with new luggage tags or a travel cosmetic case.

PAMPER + COMFORT GOODS

I think the gift of cozy is always a good idea. You just can’t go wrong with soft pajamas in a pretty print or solid, a plush robe, or warm and fuzzy slippers. I think any mama would just love to receive these items…You could even do a pamper theme…a foot scrub and lotion, soft slippers or socks, and a foot massage. Or, a robe, bubble bath or oil, and a bathtub caddy (I have wanted one of these forever…I mean bubble bath, wine and a good book?! Can’t get better!) The Barefoot Dreams cardigan is even on my wishlist (I am obsessed with all things warm and cozy in the winter).

PERSONALIZED FAVORITES

Monogrammed or personalized jewelry and accessories are such an awesome gift. You could do a necklace with children’s or grandchildren’s first initials, a personalized mug (I’ve given this one and this one, both from Etsy, and I think this polka dot one is darling), or engraved key chain.

FOR THE COFFEE AND WINE LOVER

There are so many women in my life who absolutely love coffee and wine, or at least one of  the two. My mom has an automatic milk frother she loves and uses all the time to create creamy lattes at home. If your mama or MIL loves coffee, a frother is a fun option, or if she’s in need of a coffee maker upgrade, consider an espresso machine. For the wine lovers, I think a high-quality aerator, a seasonal wine stopper or bag, or a gift card to a wine tasting are all lovely gift choices!

 

FUN FINDS FOR HOME & GARDEN

Here are some fun finds from a website I love…Uncommon Goods. I’ve gotten my mom a garden stone from here and this is also the website I ordered my uncle’s personalized whiskey barrel from. If your mom or MIL likes to garden, they have so many fun garden accessories. This is a great gardener’s seat with pockets for tools!

PRETTY TOPS

Finally, I wanted to share a few clothing items…I think soft, cowl neck sweaters or cardigans, or a warm vest are perfect options for moms and mother-in-laws! Go for a fun color to spice things up!