A third of Americans aren’t logging the recommended seven hours of sleep each night, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and a whopping 68 percent of people in a Consumer Reports survey said they struggle to fall or stay asleep at least once a week. That said, there’s a solid chance someone on your holiday shopping list is in serious need of some shuteye.
Logging quality ZZZs comes down to reducing three things: light, sound, and heat, says W. Christopher Winter, MD, author of The Sleep Solution. This makes sense when you think about the natural state of the night (as in, before TV and Instagram entered our lives): “The sun sets, the temperature drops, and everything becomes quieter,” Dr. Winter says. From there, it’s all about creating a relaxing, low-stress environment and priming the body for sleep. Thankfully, there are lots of holiday-friendly gifts that do all of that and more. Take a look.
Bose
Bose Noise-Masking Sleepbuds
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The Bose Sleepbuds use soothing sounds to mask noise from the street, a snoring partner, or those loud next-door neighbors. The wearer can also set an alarm only they can hear, making this the perfect gift for a partner or roommate who hits the snooze button a billion times each morning. Consider it a gift for yourself, too.
Wayfair
Greyleigh Whigham 3-Piece Duvet Cover Set
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“Blue is thought to be the best color for sleep because it produces feelings of calm,” Dr. Winter says. Indeed, a Travelodge survey shows that people with blue bedrooms slept longer (an average of seven hours and 52 minutes total) and woke up feeling happier than those who had bedrooms in other colors. (People in purple bedrooms slept an average of five hours and 56 minutes a night.) All the more reason to love this calming cotton duvet set.
Amazon
Homesick Scented Candle
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Candles promote sleep in two important ways: “Dim lighting encourages your nervous system to relax and a soothing evening ritual (like lighting a candle) primes your body for bed,” Dr. Winter says.
Any candle should do the trick (as long as you avoid stimulating scents like mint), but these Homesick candles—which channel the scents of a favorite state or city—make for a next-level thoughtful gift.
Amazon
Nicetown Blackout Curtains Panels for Bedroom
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The blue-light from your phone might be the worst of the worst, but even warm, dim light can compromise your sleep, too. “You want your room to be as dark as possible,” Dr. Winter says. That means no nightlight, no streetlights, and no car lights. If you—or in this case, your gift recipient—live on a busy street, blackout curtains are a total sleep savior.
Bed Bath and Beyond
Bedgear Dri-Tec® Performance Sheet Set
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These moisture-wicking sheets are an easy, effective way to keep body temperature in check. Unlike many traditional, tightly woven sheets, the fabric is light and breathable, allowing air to flow freely. This majorly reduces the likelihood of waking up in a puddle of sweat.
Allswell
Cotton & Wool Lightweight Throw
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To further regulate body temperature, Dr. Winter suggests layering several blankets that you can kick off as temps rise instead of one heavy comforter. This layering piece from Allswell is lightweight, luxe, and sure to suit any style.
David’s Tea
David’s Tea “24 More Sleeps” Tea Set
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Another relaxing before-bed ritual? Tea time. A caffeine-free tea, like chamomile or valerian root, can promote shut-eye and help replace a snooze-disrupting wine habit. (Alcohol has been shown to compromise sleep when consumed later in the night.)
We love this holiday-themed tea set from David’s Tea, which includes seasonal infusions like apple cider, gingerbread, and cranberry.
Felix Gray
Felix Gray Anti-Blue Light Glasses
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Blue light suppresses the release of the sleep hormone melatonin, according to the National Sleep Foundation, and Dr. Winter says to avoid it at least two hours before bed.
Problem is, blue light is more prevalent than you think. Yes, smartphones are a major culprit, but TVs, tablets, digital clocks, and overhead lights contribute to the problem, too. That’s where these anti-blue light glasses come in. A proprietary solution filters out 50 percent of blue light, without adding a noticeable tint to the glasses.
People who wore similar light-blocking glasses three hours before bed for three weeks reported better sleep compared to a control group, according to a Chronobiology International study. (Gift cards are available too, so that your recipient can choose her own frame.)
iFit
iFit Sleep HR
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“Lots of people assume they’re tired because they aren’t sleeping enough, but the truth is, any number of things could be going on,” Dr. Winter says. A sleep tracker, like this one from iFit (which goes under the mattress and determines heart and respiratory rate), can help identify the problem.
Your giftee will learn how long she spent in deep sleep, REM sleep, how long it took her to fall asleep, and how many times she got out of bed.
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