Healthy Glow-Up Holiday Wish List

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This week was marked as the first official week of holiday shopping week as my sister’s sent the annual text to the sister group chat to let us know that our Secret Santa had been organized. This means gathering up all of the links for items I’ve been keeping my eye on and adding them to my holiday wish list.

One common theme from the last year has been a deep focus on investing in myself. More specifically, investing in things and building habits that make me feel pampered and confident. So I’ve creating a wish-list that covers all areas of a healthy lifestyle and am going to share those items with you below to inspire you to create your own wish list, or to help you shop for a loved one on their own glow-up journey.

Exercise, fitness, in-the-gym essentials

The holiday season is the perfect time to stock up on at least one new gym fit, maybe update your gym bag, and finally refresh your trainers and socks. I have chosen the following items because my gym vibe needs an upgrade and injection of energy.

GymShark Oversized T-Shirt

I noticed this morning when I was at the gym that I don’t have a lot of shirts that I can throw on when I am feeling bloated and just want to cover up in a cute, functional shirt. So an oversized T in a training fabric is the perfect solution. Right now they only have a few colours, but I imagine as we get closer to their family and friends sale and Black Friday and cyber Monday, we’ll see a restock of more colours.

GymShark Block Oversized T-Shirt (more colour options)

If you are looking for more colour options and are okay with a more obvious logo placement, then this is an alternative that I have added to my list. I have a feeling I am going to love the oversized T, so it will be nice to have a back-up when the other one is in the wash.

GymShark Vital Seamless 2.0

For the days when I just want to train in a good, breathable, athletic t-shirt, I can imagine this being my new go-to. I currently own a selection of black training shirts, but one has my name on it from my personal trainer influencer days, and one is just getting old and thin. The black training shirt needs a refresh and this is perfectly basic enough to fit my needs. This does come in a couple of colours, and again, with the upcoming holiday sales, I imagine they’ll be restocking with more colours as they approach their big Black Friday sale.

Gymshark Crew Socks 5pk

I have included this 5 pack of socks in every single article I have written on this website that included mention of training socks. And the crazy thing is, I still haven’t gotten a fresh pack, so I am hoping Santa pulls through and gets me a fresh pack, maybe 2 packs so I can the laundry monster the sock tax (you know what I am talking about).

Gym stocking stuffers

If you are looking for a few smaller items that will fit your work or friend group’s $25 limit, here are the smaller, stocking stuffer items I am asking for this holiday season.

• Shoe deodorizer balls: whenver I tuck my gym bag away for a few days and leave my shoes in, I find the cupboard smells like stinky feet. So I’m asking for some shoe deodorizers so that my shoes and feet stay fresh.
• Gymbag toiletry bag: this can really be any bag, but I would like to start using the sauna and showering at the gym, so I’ll need a cute toiletry bag that will stay in my gymbag at all times. This one comes with room for a couple basic make-up brushes, and room for bottles like shampoo bottles or fash wash.
• New no-slip hair elastics: this is like your mom buying you new socks and underwear every holiday season. I never think to buy these, so I find they are an easy one to add to the holiday wish list. I like the coiled ones.
• Thick Booty Bands: these are another favourite that I have mentioned a few times on my blog. The gym I go to has their own set, but I find they never have the medium band, and sometimes I just want a light band for mobility work. So I am asking for my own set so I can do workouts at home, or bring my lighter bands to the gym.

Moonshot Gift

This next item will appear in each category and is that one gift that you know is definitely out of everyone’s price-range, but could be an option if all of your friends or family pooled their money to get you a group gift.

For me, it’s the Bang & Olufsen earbuds.

Coming in at a whopping $630 CAD, these ear buds are a design marvel, built by one of the best sound product designers in the world. After about 4 months of struggling with my broken samsung buds (never ever buying those again), and making due with a pretty good, inexpensive pair, I would love to settle into the crisp sound quality of a pair of Bang & Olufsen earbuds.

The “abs are built in the kitchen” gifts

The next selection of gifts are here to inspire me to cook more of the food I love, explore new healthy recipes, and finally be able to try all of those darned, trending air fryer recipes! Because, after all, “abs are built in the kitchen” so if you want to have a complete healthy glow-up you’ll need the right kitchen equipment to be successful.

Immersion Blender

I get really tired of roasting and stir frying veggies all the time. And although I have recently discovered my love for pickling veggies, I also love soup. However, all I have in terms of blenders is a small, nutribullet blender from 4 years that would take ages to blend up the pots of soup I want to make.

The immersion blender is the gateway appliance to my soup dreams, and I think this is a pretty affordable one, by a reputable brand so you can trust it will blend efficiently and won’t burn out on a chunky butternut squash soup.

7.3 Qt Dutch Oven

You know a great place to make a soup? A dutch oven. That’s right, I have added a dutch oven to my holiday wish list because there are so many fabulous recipes that require a dutch oven. From healthy soups, to stews, to making my own homemade sourdough, This is one of those things that I need and will have to make room in my kitchen to fit it. Of course Le Creuset is the gold standard for dutch ovens, but I am asking for the Amazon Basics version on my regular wish-list.

Maple Butchers Block and Butcher’s Block Care Kit

I have been cutting on the same 2, crappy plastic cutting boards I got from Dollarama when I first moved to Montreal and I am very concerned about the micro-plastic build-up. So this holiday season, I am asking for a good quality butcher’s block so I can kiss micro-plastics good-bye and welcome a healthier, sturdier and more functional cutting board into my life. I’m going for an affordable Maple butcher’s block from a Canadian small business that sells through Amazon.

Additionally, to maintain the quality of the butcher’s block, I have asked for the care kit. This is the one I am asking for, which includes all of the tools and a nifty diagram to show you the steps to clean the board.

Kitchen Stocking Stuffers

Most kitchen items can’t be fit into a stocking, but I have included the kitchen items that are on my wish-list to give you an idea of what is possible under $25 that may not directly contribute to healthy recipes, but will at least make your kitchen look cute while you cook.

• Seasonal tea towels: I love rotating my tea towels to suit the season and I don’t have fall tea towels at the moment. I thought these ones were quite cute, but there are loads of options on Amazon.
• Faucet Splash Guard: I find the area around my faucet always builds up with standing water and soaps stains, so I’d love to clean up that area with a silicon mat that will help redirect excess water back into the sink and keep that area clean and sanitary.
• 6-in-1 Slicer: I know we’ve all seen the “sometimes you just need a whole cucumber videos” but also have seen the horror videos of people using a mandolin. Although a fabulous kitchen tool, I would love to have something that is more multi-functional (but still has the slicer to handle a whole cucumber!). This one is on sale for $24, so it comes in right under budget on sale, but I’d keep an eye on it in case it jumps back up to $44.

Moonshot Gift

There are so many beautiful kitchen gadgets that a girl can own that will make cooking a real joy, but nothing is more suited to the ultimate healthy, gym girlie than a vitamix blender. I was fortunate enough to grow up with one and there really isn’t anything that compares with the quality of blending that a vitamix blender offers. It can make soups, sauces, and of course – protein shakes and green smoothies of your dreams.

Coming in at a crazy $729 CAD, if I got this gift I would have to be using it everyday to make sure my friends and loved ones knew how grateful I am that they pooled their money together to get this for me.

Honourable mention to the Kitchenaid Evergreen stand mixer that stole the hearts of countertop appliance girlies across the world. I would make the most beautiful sourdough bread, fresh pasta, and savory pastries in that beautiful work of art.

Self Care Queen Essentials

A crucial part of the glow-up process is remembering to slow down and take time to pamper yourself. As Tan France teaches us in every season of Queer Eye, taking care of yourself sends a message to yourself that you care, and that ends up radiating outwards. The final category of my holiday wish list includes the remaining items on my list that are just there to make my rest days and healthy, self-care habits a little more complete.

A Super Soft, Bath Robe

It has taken me far too long to graduate from the slinky, silk robe I bought in my early 20’s from Victoria Secret to a more practical, sensible, plush robe for my 30’s. The beauty with this item is that it could technically fit in on my stock-stuffer list, as it only cost $26 CAD on Amazon right now. So it is a steal for something that is going to add so much joy and comfort to your self-care routine.

Light Therapy Mask

I know the jury is still out on whether or not these masks really make a difference, but I have heard a lot of women say that consistent use has helped with hyperpigmentation and acne, which are two things I struggle with. I looked across Amazon for one that was affordable and had a lot of good reviews, and this one matched all the criteria so it’s the one I have added to my wish-list.

Self-Care Stocking Stuffers

You could really go crazy here as a lot of gimicky stuff fits into the sub-$25 budget here. So here are a few things that I am actually looking for this holiday season, as well as a few things I have already purchased that make a big difference in my self-care routine.

• Ice Roller: I have the gua sha and the jade rollers, but I recently cam across a tiktoker who swore by the ice roller as the best way to wake up the skin and de-puff at the beginning of the day. I wake up feeling really puffy most days, especially around my time of the month, and I do find that this does a great job of instantly de-puffing and waking me up.
• Silicone Wrinkle Patches: This one might be gimicky, but I do not have the budget for botox so silicone patches it is! They fit nicely in the stock-stuffer budget as well and are an alternative to the classic face masks we all get in our stockings during the holidays.
• Star pimple patches: I love that gen Z walk around with stars on their faces like they are an accessory. My high school and early 20’s were spent layering cheap concealer over my breakouts and these kids are out here owning those breakouts. So I will also be choosing to rock the star pimple patches in 2025. This pack gives you 240 so you’re covered for a few hormonal breakouts.
• Bondi Sands Tanning Mousse: this one is a little more than $25, but I love a good fake tan to keep me glowing through the winter months.

Moonshot Gift

For the final moonshot gift of the list, I think I saved the best for last. After a successful week of hitting the gym, eating beautiful meals, sticking to your healthy routines, it is time to go out on the town with friends. What makes a night out on the town that much better, especially when you are feeling confident in mind and body?

The Dyson Airwrap. That’s right – a perfect blow-out just gives your hair the same bounciness you feel in your soul. I am romanticizing this, but I would truly love a Dyson Airwrap so I can stop fiddling with straighteners, and curling wands, and desperately trying to figure out pin-curls.

Is she $800 CAD? Yes. Is she also being sold in a limited edition pinky, red tone? Also yes, which just makes it all the more beautiful to me. But would it be worth it for the extra boost of confidence I would get from having the perfect blow-out? Ab-so-fricken-lutely.

So there you have it! These are all of the items that I have on my wish list this year that I believe will help catapulte me into 2025 in the best position to achieve my glow-up goals. The moonshot gifts are not on my list, but if anyone I know is reading this, now you know ;)