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The most thoughtful gift guide
Gifts for legacy builders, values seekers, and more
Alyssa Towns
November 23, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 9 minutes
I often say that giving gifts is my love language. I’ve inherited this trait from both of my grandmothers, Janet and Virginia. Growing up, I looked forward to my family’s Christmas Eve celebration because I knew they’d put a lot of time and energy into finding and curating the perfect gifts. And yes, this isn’t what the holidays are all about, but as a child, it sure made those moments feel extra special.
As I get older, my perspective on stuff has changed. I live a fortunate and blessed lifestyle and don’t need more things. Maybe you feel this way, too. But I’m still a gift-giver at heart, albeit a more intentional one. That’s why I scoured the internet and curated a list of unique gifts to give your loved ones this season. Let’s get into it!
Note: A majority of these links are not affiliate links (meaning I don’t earn a commission or kickback for sharing them). There are a few affiliate links, indicated with an asterisk (*). All affiliate link purchases help me continue to invest in Time Intentional. I appreciate your support!
Brand | Description | Price Range (USD) |
|---|---|---|
Confinity is an early platform and digital home for legacy preservation. It’s a private space for capturing memories, milestones, and photos. Think social media-like, but for legacy building! | $100-$300 | |
Turn your most meaningful stories into a published, preserved book to pass down to future generations. Share your stories through writing or voice to transform them into a memoir. | $84+ | |
A gorgeous legacy journal for those who want to leave a handwritten legacy behind. Add memories, photos, advice, and more. | $52+ | |
Honor your loved ones and friends by planting a tree. Plant a tree in memory or in honor. | $9.99+ | |
Personalized keepsake trunks for holding your most precious memories. | $175+ |
Brand | Description | Price Range (USD) |
|---|---|---|
The Hello, Mortal newsletter, part of the Hello, Mortal ecosystem, offers a thoughtful integration of mortality awareness into everyday life. It is one of my favorite reads on the internet. | Can read some posts for free; paid subscription starting at $50/annually | |
A membership (or donation) that goes toward resources, educational content, legislative advocacy, and other nonprofits addressing death-related issues. Neat work! | Starting at $5/month or give a one-time donation (any price) | |
A lively, death-based card game for a memorable night with your loved ones or friends. | $29.95 + shipping | |
For those who are into daily mortality awareness reminders, this Memento mori (“Remember you must die”) necklace has stellar reviews. | $30+ (on sale at the time of research) | |
Get It Together: Organize Your Records So Your Family Won’t Have to* (End of Life Organizer) | This one is a little grimmer but incredibly useful. Organize your paperwork and personal information for your loved ones or executor in the event of your departure (or another life-altering event). | $5+ (used copies) or ~$20+ for a new one |
Brand | Description | Price Range (USD) |
|---|---|---|
A 78-card deck and accompanying booklet offer a practical set of tools, first to determine what matters most to you, then to learn how to live accordingly. | $19.95+ | |
A scientifically validated assessment designed to give users a deeper, more specific understanding of their values. (One of the most comprehensive values assessments I’ve ever taken!) | The free version gives you a preview of your results, or get a one-year subscription for $29.99 to view your full results, compare results with loved ones, and measure progress over time | |
Start With Values: How to Build a Life with Meaning and Purpose* | Written by Brad Hook, founder of the Values Institute, this book contains practical tools to reveal the impact our values have on shaping our lives. | $9.99+ on Kindle, $18+ paperback |
Start values-led conversations early with your teens! A printable values kit created by a trained kids’ emotion coach and experienced teacher. | $5.20 (Must print yourself!) | |
A guided journal for creating a life by design, not default. Define what matters most in your life and take action. | $39 (Check for sales and discounts) |
Brand | Description | Price Range (USD) |
|---|---|---|
Transform Your Life: 52-Week Guided Journal for Personal Growth and Reflection (Passion Planner) | A 52-week guided journal with five essential pillars for creating a foundation for personal growth. Spend a few minutes each week fully present with yourself. | $42+ |
My favorite app for gratitude journaling. Jot down a few things you’re grateful for daily, and join Circles to practice gratitude with others. | Join for free; upgrade to the Premium version ($39.99/year) for additional features | |
Pull a card and explore the concept of balance in your life with these reflection prompts. | $13+ (on sale at the time of research) | |
The most adorable, high-quality, weighted plush animals that “hug you back” to lower stress, boost feelings of calm, and help with sleep and focus. Perfect for grounding in the moment. | $12-$126+ | |
Enjoy a mindful moment with a brief word search! | $12.98+ |
And finally, don’t forget I keep a running list of book recommendations for Time Intentional readers. You and/or your loved ones or friends might enjoy one or more of the books on this list*:
A preview of the Time Intentional book recs roundup on Bookshop.org
Loved this gift guide? Want to send a little somethin’ to support my work? I appreciate you!
And I’d be remiss not to remind us all that our time is one of the greatest gifts we can give the people we love this holiday season. We rarely know how many holiday seasons we have left together. You might spend your last holiday season with someone you love this year. Make it count! ❤️
I’m Alyssa Towns, and this is Time Intentional, a newsletter exploring what it means to spend our limited (and precious) time intentionally. Extend your love and support by sharing this newsletter with someone you know! Earn a Time Intentional sticker pack when you refer 3 new readers!
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This newsletter may include affiliate and referral links marked with an asterisk. If you click on or choose to purchase through one or more of the links below, I may receive a small commission or referral bonus.
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