Top 5 Gift Ideas for the New Normal

The holiday season is going to look a little different this year. Shopping malls will be quieter, photos with Santa will have to be postponed, and how we gather with family and friends will need to shift; we’ll need different gift ideas to match the new normal. Scrap the fancy luggage, classy work attire, and makeup bundles, 2020 has other gifts planned. We’ve compiled a list of gift ideas that will be sure to get you into the holiday spirit. 

Safety first, but make it fashion

It’s no secret that face masks are going to be around for some time, and while many of us were using disposable ones in the beginning, most have since shifted to reusable masks to keep ourselves safe and the landfills a little less clogged. 

As a stocking stuffer gift idea, why not surprise your friends with something that keeps them safe and goes with their favourite outfits? These face masks come in a variety of options (like, so many!), so every friend can feel special. 

You can also check out our made-in-Canada NENA Reusable Face Mask that’s double lined with a filter pocket, and adjustable earloops. It comes in a neutral colour that will match any outfit. Reusable and machine washable, you can buy it here, or receive as a free gift starting December 1st with purchases C$75 and up. 

On top of being practical, the great thing about reusable face masks is that , they’ll easily fold up into a card that can be dropped in the mail. Perfect for spreading holiday cheer safely.

Give the gift of movement

Many of us turn to yoga and movement when looking to quiet our minds, and if 2020 has taught us anything it’s that a practice like this is worth cherishing. 

While many studios have opened back up to the public, maybe your mom isn’t quite ready to return to working out in-person. Studios like Peloton and Open offer virtual-only classes, giving people the freedom to move anywhere. Moreover, if you purchase a class package for someone, you could even join them virtually for a class! We love gift ideas that bring people together without sacrificing safety. 

The perfect stocking stuffer

Dry, cracked hands are common in winter, especially when we’re having to wash and sanitize our hands more than ever. 

Enriched with organic aloe vera, calendula and blueberry, our NENA Hydrating Hand Sanitizer hydrates your hands to help with the drying effect of alcohol. Aromatic litsea and lavender create a sense of freshness, and best yet, you can get it as a bundle of three, so it’s an easy gift idea to pop one into everyone’s stocking (and keep one for yourself while you’re at it). Also available, NENA Antibacterial Hand Sanitizer.

The gift of a comfortable home

Now that we’re all spending more time in our homes, from sleeping to working, to even daycare for some, our needs have shifted. Maybe the dining table isn’t the best desk option for your entrepreneur friend, or maybe you know your grandma could use a new lamp to brighten her space. 

We love Canadian companies like Article and Structube, where you can either pick out that lamp for them or give them a gift card and allow them to design their space themselves. Either way, this gift will make anyone feel a little more okay with spending so much time at home. 

A bath and a book

We don’t know about you, but we’ve been reading more books than ever this year. Books have become the perfect escape, putting a pause button on what’s happening outside so we can dive into a fantasy world or dream about travelling. 

Audiobooks are the perfect gift for readers and non-readers, as it allows them to listen while cleaning the house, going for a short walk around the neighbourhood, or taking a long, luxurious bath. You can buy that book that’s been on their wishlist, or get them a monthly subscription so they can power through their ever-growing reading list. 

An unconventional holiday season calls for creative gift ideas. 

We hope this guide helps you get excited for this holiday season, whether you’re visiting friends and family in person, or sending hugs through Zoom.