If you are like most of us, the holiday hoopla can leave you focusing on everyone else but yourself.  The endless shopping, the lines and crazy traffic, carefully picking out gifts that fit the people on your list perfectly, and maybe even giving back to those in need. Now that the Christmas hustle and bustle is on its way out the door it’s time to focus on Y-O-U!  Did you spend sometime on yourself this holiday season, did you get something you really wanted, or did you think about everyone else?  It’s time to treat yourself for a change. Try treating yourself with a gift that comes all year long.  I like to treat myself to something that comes my door once a month, as a gentle reminder that I deserve a gift once in a while. There are so many subscription boxes out these days, here are some of my favorite.

A Gift For YOU All Year Long

The idea of focusing on yourself doesn’t mean charging up your credit card until its denied. No, it’s finding things that will lift you up for longer than a millisecond, that will help you feel good for the moment and many moments to come. Yes, I hear you. An amazing pair of heals can do just that,  but the gifts I’m thinking about will enhance  your inner self a little more and they keep on coming, surprises at your door once a month, which is something to look forward to and feel good about.

Calling All DIY Divas: For the Makers

Tap into that creative chick inside you and order up a monthly DYI jewelry project.  This amazing idea was the child of a pair of New York jewelry designers who wanted to help others create their own amazing jewelry.   For the Makers monthly box is filled with materials for four to six fashion-forward (but beginner-friendly)projects—and, thankfully, posts tutorials as well as step-by-step instructions through photos and videos. A recent edition held the components  for a geometric-stenciled tea towel, a decorative clay bowl, a leather-and-chain bracelet, and a trio of colorful elastic  hair ties—one project that’s literally as simple as tying a knot. Starting at $29.00 a month you can actually start making those things on your Pintrest board, rather than just dreaming about them.

Make-Up Mavens: ipsy

God knows I don’t need to spend ANY more money at Sephora, so a beauty gift is just what I need to keep my cosmetic addiction at bay. Michelle Phan is the brains and beauty behind ipsy. She has inspired countless women around the world through her beauty video tutorials on YouTube and from an entrepreneur perspective she is a rock star of an inspiration. Every day, the question Michelle gets asked the most is: “What are the right products for me?”   I just signed up for my Glam Bag that takes you through countless questions about your look, favorite products, and personality to help decide what brands and products to send your way. Plus you earn points when you talk about them on social media, who doesn’t love that?    Each month, subscribers will receive a beautiful Glam Bag with deluxe samples and full-sized beauty products. Members can watch and play along with the stylists with the same products that they are using. All for only $10 a month. You get 4-5 beauty products every month delivered to your door, for just $10. Michelle Phan curates the bags! Check it out here: ipsy.

Feed Your Inner Foodie: Food with Love

Whether you’re the hostess with the moistest or a fierce foodie, this box is for you.  For only $10.00 a month you are spoiling yourself with the hottest food trends. Love With Food is on a big mission, besides filling mailbox with hard-to-find gourmet goodies, they give back to. A percentage of proceeds benefit food banks across the country with meals for those in need. Every Love With Food box purchase buys one meal donation through the Feeding America Network and Share Our Strength—No Kid Hungry.

Spoil Your Pup: BarkBox

My dog Milo lights up my life, and when he is happy I am overjoyed.  This crazy pup knows when our BarkBox is outside the door, he sniffs the and barks until I literally open the box! When you sign up for BarkBox, every month you will receive a box in the mail with four or more carefully selected products and presents for your dog – anything from toys, bones and all-natural treats to hygiene products and innovative new gadgets! Eco-friendly and natural products with a portion of proceeds from each box will go to help doggies-in-need. Each box gives me an excuse not to hit up the dog store, gives my dog new toys and new treats that last all month long!

*   *   *   *   *

Emily Roberts MA, LPC is The Guidance Girl. Her goal is to help YOU become the most confident person you know! Emily is an award-winning author Express Yourself: A Teen Girls Guide to Speaking Up and Becoming Who You Are, Psychotherapist, TV & Media Contributor, Educational Speaker, and parenting consultant. She travels around the country educating girls, women, and parents. Express Yourself is available at bookstores nationwide and on Amazon. To learn more about Emily click here.