Gifting your loved ones is a given. But have you forgotten yourself?

It's festive season and gifting is almost like a Mad Max journey. As humans, we put our best foot forward when it comes to gifting our loved ones. We stress, analyse and even scour through different viable options available. We fret over whether they would like it, and if they didn't if you should offer to exchange it...oh, the horror!

But let's skid to a stop here and ponder on when was the last time you gifted yourself anything? When did you last unapologetically, with pure joy and satisfaction buy yourself or gift yourself something? Do you always stop at the edge and never take that leap and the gift you were almost going to get yourself gathers cobwebs in your wishlist?

I'll give you a minute to think on this, but I am assuming that won't suffice! You are not alone!

Let's change that this year...this year of absolute chaos and madness. This year has sucked in all ways possible and we are going to change that with a bit of kindness to ourselves. For the first time in a long while, we are going to put ourselves first and take that leap off the edge.

Here are 05 ideas that may spark an inspiration to gift yourself.

1. Comfort

I know that's sounds confusing but hear me out. We all have something or someone or even a place that comforts us the most during our lowest. I think this year qualifies for the lowest.

It can be a material thing - a comfortable woollen blanket that has been on your wishlist forever but has always been pushed back due to the price. A 5 course meal with your loved one or even one of those ice creams with gold flakes in it that you have always wanted to try but all you could think of was...gold freaking flakes!

What about a long overdue visit to one of your closest friends who has been there through thick and thin? Maybe even make it to your hometown to relive those nostalgic moments from your teenage years. Of course, keeping the pandemic in mind, do follow your local state mandates. Yeah, this year has been a dampener but we can get over it together.

How about a place that has been on your wishlist? It can be as simple as a Michelin star restaurant or a zip-lining adventure? Comfort yourself this season and watch your perspective change.

2. Pamper

When I say pamper, I don't mean splurge on an expensive spa treatment, but go ahead if you have the means, of course. Take a day or two or even week off from work responsibilities if you can reasonably. Run a bath, put on some music and soak in those essential oils you have mixed in. Pamper yourself with a movie marathon or a series marathon guilt-free.

The women out there are often the most stressed, especially with the added responsibility of managing work and home, mothers with the additional task of managing children at home and all the mess that comes with them.

You may not be able to take a week off but aim for at least 24 hours of uninterrupted you time. Take no calls, if need be leave your home and book an Airbnb in your locality. Be a child and don't pick up after yourself. It's ok not to polish the floor and plates to death. It's okay to create a mess and revel in it.

Order in your favourite meal, don't be bothered about being stuck with pizza crusts while children and your partner get the best parts. Today, you are the queen.

And the men, quite often you are sidelined from being included in getting a break. Want to work on your long time motorbike project...do it now. Want to run a bath and soak in it...add a bath bomb and enjoy the experience. Want to be wrapped up in the soft robe your significant other has revelled in...now is the time.

3. Indulge

To indulge in a luxury is one of the toughest calls to make especially if it means indulging oneself in it. Quite often, we can easily make such decisions for our loved ones, but when it comes to us, we limit and judge ourselves harshly.

This festive season, pick a luxury you would like to indulge in and go for it without any second thoughts. We have only one life and with this chaotic and messy year playing hardball, it's time to give in to this indulging.

It can be as simple as buying an expensive box of chocolates all for yourself and it can be once in a lifetime experience of maybe a staycation at a place you have always coveted. It could even be an expensive bottle of wine/champagne that you have but have refrained from ever opening. Now is the time, pop it open and pour a glass and enjoy. These may seem materialistic, but the joy and satisfaction you get is beyond measure.

Make sure to not indulge in guilt after such experiences as it spoils the every purpose of it. You deserve this and you are reaching for it.

So this festive season, gift yourself some love and healing with few simple and at times pricey gifts that will bring warmth to your soul. Wishing everyone a safe Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Cheers!