Self-Care Gift Guide Features Over 40 Small Businesses

Looking for a gift guide that focuses on self-care? The Modern Domestic Woman Holiday Gift Guide is jam-packed with items and sentiments for giving, yet the intent is different.

When considering the theme of this year’s guide, I thought about the idea of giving the gift of self-care.

But the more I thought about self-care, and how that definition could mean something unique to everyone, the more excited I got to dig deep and explore all the ways we can celebrate others (and ourselves in the process) with a gift that will truly ease a burden, care for our bodies and homes, and bring peace to our daily existence rather than pull from it.

Peppered throughout the guide are women I know personally.

Their wisdom is unparalleled and I am confident the takeaways in their articles will leave you with tools to help make your life a happy and more peaceful place to be.

Kelly Jacobson is the owner of Stronger Therapeutic Counseling in Batavia and West Dundee, Illinois. In her article in the gift guide, Kelly talks about how to foster a true work-life balance by creatively fostering mental health.

"Wellness at work means more than offering an employee assistance program," explains Kelly. "We've partnered with Virgin Pulse to help business owners and their teams feel seen and heard."

Kelly helps companies reduce the stigma around mental health by bringing a therapist into the workday to normalize stress, create strategies to combat burnout and foster a healthy work-life balance.

Tonya Harris is a St. Charles resident, mom of three, and award-winning toxin expert with Slightly Greener, a community created for moms who prefer a no-pressure, no-judgment approach to reducing toxic chemicals in their home. If the thought of detoxifying your home is overwhelming, you’re not alone. When Tonya first started, she purged her entire home once she started researching the long-term effects ingredients in food and products she used on the regs could potentially have on her family's collective health.

In the MDW Gift Guide, Tonya shares her knowledge and breaks down three simple steps to help you go greener - without losing your mind or destroying your budget.

"It’s not about perfection. It’s about creating a lifestyle that works for you," shares Tonya.

LaShanda Lewis is the Co-Owner of The Irie Cup in Huntley, Illinois. In her article in the gift guide, LaShanda explains how creating a personal tea service can lead to more peaceful living.

"In terms of tea, the mere act of selecting, steeping, and enjoying a cup can shift from the quick function of beverage making to purposefully taking time to pause from the day, and all the stress that comes from life, and reclaim your focus," says Lewis.

I hope you enjoy the MDW Holiday Gift Guide and share it with a friend! - Elizabeth

About the Author:

Elizabeth Rago is a St. Charles resident, wife, mama, writer, and founder of The Modern Domestic Woman- a safe space for women in need of mental health, wellness, and professional referrals.

Recently named one of the 15 Fascinating Faces of 2023 in Glancer Magazine, Elizabeth works to help dismantle the stigma around mental health and unrealistic expectations surrounding women.

Need help finding resources? Email Elizabeth directly at themoderndomesticwoman@gmail.com