Quick Answer
You want to give something meaningful—not just another product with "mindfulness" printed on it. As a meditation teacher, I recommend tools that genuinely support someone's practice: noticing their thoughts and emotions, being more present in their day, and treating themselves with kindness.
What I recommend:
- The Give Yourself Kindness Journal - 90 unique pages, reviewed by Oxford & Harvard experts (£28.95)
- Affirmation Cards - 60 daily reminders they'll actually use (£13.95)
- Lavender Eye Pillow - For meditation and mindful rest
You want to give a mindfulness gift that's actually special—something that shows you understand and care, not just something you grabbed because it had "mindfulness" on the label.
I get that. I'm Rachel, a qualified meditation teacher (DipBSoM), and founder of Give Yourself Kindness. After years of practice and training with the British School of Meditation, I created tools I couldn't find anywhere else—ones that meditation teachers and therapists now use with their clients.
I want to help you find a gift that will actually mean something.
My Top Recommendations
The Give Yourself Kindness Journal
Why this makes a special gift:
This journal is designed for someone who wants to be more present with their emotions—not just think positive thoughts. It helps them notice what they're actually feeling, without judgment, and respond with kindness.
I created this because I couldn't find anything like it. Most journals either have repetitive prompts (which become meaningless after a week) or push toxic positivity. This one's different—it validates all emotions and has 90 completely unique pages that support you to be curious.
- They'll actually use it - Every day is different, never boring or repetitive
- It honors their full experience - Difficult emotions are welcomed, not dismissed
- No pressure - Undated, so no guilt if they miss days
- Backed by experts - Reviewed by leading researchers at Oxford and Harvard
- Beautiful presentation - Comes tissue-wrapped with handwritten note option
Professor Willem Kuyken, PhD, DClinPsy
Ritblat Professor of Mindfulness and Psychological Science, University of Oxford
Top 1% of most cited scientists worldwide
"Rachel has curated the experience to make the writing intrinsically rewarding and the journal something to treasure."
Dr. Chris Germer, PhD
Clinical Psychologist, Harvard Medical School
Co-developer of Mindful Self-Compassion program
"A warm invitation to make friends with your emotions and yourself!"
Perfect for: Someone starting or deepening a mindfulness practice, people working with therapists, anyone who wants to understand their emotions better, or someone who's tried journaling before but found it repetitive or invalidating.
The Give Yourself Kindness Affirmation Cards
Why this makes a thoughtful gift:
These cards give someone gentle reminders they can see throughout their day—on their mirror, desk, or car dashboard. They're not generic "positive thinking" statements. Each one supports being more aware and kind to themselves in real moments.
- Easy to use - Pull one each morning, place where they'll see it
- Actually helpful - Reminders like "Just because I have a thought, doesn't mean it's true" genuinely support mindfulness
- Beautiful design - Something they're happy to have visible
- Low commitment - Perfect for someone new to mindfulness or feeling overwhelmed
- Portable - Can go with them anywhere
Perfect for: Someone building a mindfulness practice, people who like visual reminders, anyone feeling overwhelmed who needs something simple, or as a lovely addition to the journal.
Lavender Eye Pillow
Why this is a lovely gift:
Sometimes mindfulness practice needs physical support. This eye pillow helps someone settle into meditation, creates a gentle ritual, and blocks out distractions.
- During meditation - Helps them stay focused and present
- For rest - Creates a calming moment in their day
- Evening ritual - Signals "it's time to wind down"
- Body awareness - The gentle weight helps them notice physical sensations
Perfect for: Anyone with a meditation practice, someone who needs help unplugging, or as part of a mindfulness gift set with the journal or cards.
Complete Mindfulness Gift Set
Want to give more comprehensive support?
Combining these tools creates a beautiful gift that supports different moments:
- Journal - For deeper reflection time
- Cards - For daily reminders throughout the day
- Eye pillow - For meditation and rest
Together, they show you've really thought about supporting their whole practice—not just one aspect.
Perfect for: Special occasions, someone deeply committed to their practice, or when you really want to show how much you support their journey.
Other Meaningful Options
If you're looking for something else, or want to pair what I've suggested with additional gifts, here are other options I trust:
Books by Leading Experts
If they're interested in learning more, books by the actual researchers (not generic self-help authors) make wonderful gifts:
- "Mindfulness: A Practical Guide" by Professor Mark Williams - The founding director of Oxford Mindfulness Centre (he wrote for us too)
- "The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook" by Drs. Kristin Neff & Chris Germer - By the researchers who pioneered this work
- "Wherever You Go, There You Are" by Jon Kabat-Zinn - A beautiful classic
For Meditation Practice
If they already meditate or want to start a sitting practice:
- Meditation cushion - I don't offer these myself, but Samadhi Cushions and Blue Banyan make quality ones in the UK
- Meditation timer - A dedicated timer (not their phone) helps them stay focused
Matching the Gift to Where They Are
Not sure which to choose? Here's what tends to work well:
New to mindfulness:
Best choice: Affirmation cards + a book by a trusted expert
Cards are accessible and low-pressure. A quality book helps them understand what this is all about.
Already meditating:
Best choice: Journal + cushion (if they don't have one)
They have the foundation and are ready for tools that deepen practice.
Working with a therapist:
Best choice: Journal (therapists use this with clients) + cards
These support therapeutic work and are professionally recommended.
Feeling overwhelmed:
Best choice: Just the cards
Simple, no pressure, easy to use. Sometimes less is more.
A Gift That Shows You Understand
You're not looking for something generic with "mindfulness" slapped on the label. You want to unique, beautifully presented (tissue-wrapped, with a handwritten note option if you'd like). Because something meaningful deserves to be given thoughtfully.
Common Questions
What's the best mindfulness gift for someone who's never practiced before?
The Affirmation Cards (£13.95). They're accessible, low-pressure, and give gentle daily reminders without requiring any previous experience.
What if I'm not sure they'll use a journal?
The Give Yourself Kindness journal is different—every page is unique (never repetitive), it's undated (no guilt), and therapists use it with clients. It's designed to actually be used, not sit in a drawer.
Can I send this directly as a gift?
Yes—everything comes tissue-wrapped with an optional handwritten gift note. Just add your message at checkout.
What's the most meaningful mindfulness gift?
The journal. It's been reviewed by Oxford and Harvard experts, it's used by therapists worldwide, and people genuinely use it daily.
Is this suitable for last-minute gifts?
Yes—we ship from the UK with delivery in 3-5 business days. All items come beautifully presented and gift-ready.
Want to understand more about mindfulness?
These articles from leading experts helped inform these gifts:
About this guide: Rachel Smith (DipBSoM) is a qualified meditation teacher trained with the British School of Meditation. As founder of Give Yourself Kindness, she creates mindfulness tools reviewed by Professor Willem Kuyken (University of Oxford, top 1% most cited scientists worldwide) and Dr. Chris Germer (Harvard Medical School, co-developer of Mindful Self-Compassion). These recommendations come from genuine practice and understanding, not just marketing.
“By far my favourite guided journal that I’ve used!”
There's a lot of journals out there. Most of which include tools that can be repetitive, boring or unhelpful. Give Yourself Kindness is about creating something new.
