Seeking gifts that give back? Then look no further... • For children aged three plus and teens (or older), these adorable hotties, with knitted front and fleecy backs, have a calico insert that you pop in a microwave to release the scent of lavender. Knitted Animal Hottie, £19.99/www.uk.aromahome.com

• At the end of the day, we want to sink into sleep mode with a soak in soothing lavender. With almond oil to moisturise, this 100 per cent natural bath essence is irresistible. Dr Hauschka Moor Lavender Calming Bath Essence, £16/www.victoriahealth.com

• Heel genius we call these: ‘shoe jewellery’ on the outside with a cushioned heel pad inside to prevent rubbing and/or blisters. In a fabulous range of styles. Blingbacks, from £9.95/Debenhams and www.amazon.co.uk

• The ‘best present’ a colleague gave her elderly father and octogenarian mother-in-law was a Kindle Fire HD . Despite never having logged on before, they now surf, Skype and email. Kindle Fire HD, from £119/www.amazon.co.uk

• With a trillion ‘must-dos’ whizzing through our brains, peeking at a page of this engaging pocket-sized tome helps calm us down and pep us up. The Little Book of Mindfulness (Quadrille Publishing)£4.99 at www.amazon.co.uk

• A good backpack saves neck, shoulders and back from being skewed and painful. These go the distance for us… Cath Kidston 13in Laptop Backpack, £42/ www.johnlewis.com, and Tumi Voyageur Ascot Convertible Backpack/ Handbag, £295/www.uk.tumi.com

• Water ovens – which cook food in vacuum-sealed (BPA -free) plastic pouches (not included) at a precise temperature – retain all the nutrients and give you Heston Blumenthal technology at home. SousVide Supreme Demi, from £249.99/www.lakeland.co.uk

• Send your friends zinging into the day with legendary aromatherapist Geraldine Howard’s grapefruit, rosemary and juniper essential oil blend. Aromatherapy Associates Little Bell Revive Morning Bath & Shower Oil, £10/www.victoriahealth.com

• With no chemical nasties, these tangerine-scented foaming cleansers were voted tops by young testers. Childs Farm Bubble Bath, £4.69 each/www.childsfarm.com and www.ocado.com

• As well as flavouring food, cinnamon helps regulate blood-sugar levels among other health benefits. Try it instead of sugar grated on coffee or in bedtime drinks. Cinnamon Hill Starter Set with grater, cup and sample sticks, £35/www.cinnamonhill.com

• This delicious balm protects and conditions lips with shea butter, pure grade lanolin, vitamin E and natural banana extract, plus it has a gorgeous subtle shimmer. We’re giving it to all our girlfriends. Lanolips Banana Balm, £8.99/www.victoriahealth.com

• From first purées to ‘big kid’ recipes for 12 months plus, this gorgeously produced book lends a soupçon of French chic to prepping children’s food. We would happily make the recipes for any age. Bébé Gourmet by Jenny Carenco (Vermilion)/£14.99 at www.amazon.co.uk

Because it's never too early to start...