What special present would you make to a best friend, husband, wife, auntie, mom or daughter? How to make a special gift? What thoughtful gift could you make for the birthday of someone you love or for Christmas?

As we advance through the holiday season, you’ve likely been searching high and low for thoughtful gifts that the people close to you will love. Or maybe you are looking for that special gift for a special occasion, such as a best friend’s birthday… and probably you would like to make something unique and useful at the same time. Well, you are in the right place: in this article, I will present to you an under the radar extra special gift idea that will make you feel loved like a gentle hug can do and is also super comfy!

An Under The Radar Special Gift

You are probably wondering what such a thoughtful and special gift could be… have you ever heard about weighted blankets? If you’re not very familiar with those blankets, you’re probably asking yourself how they differ from a regular blanket and what makes them so special.

A weighted blanket is, of course, made to be much heavier than a normal blanket, but they are also designed to apply pressure in such a way that it prompts your body and mind to calm down and relax. This is called deep touch pressure and is the exact same response as when you’re being hugged, making it a completely natural process. Experiencing this effect on a regular basis provides a range of potential health benefits as well!

Can you imagine any other present that is so special as something that will make your close ones feel hugged, loved and relaxed every time they use it? Probably not, and that’s why a weighted blanket is such a special and thoughtful gift idea! Additionally, some of these blankets, such as the weighted blankets available to buy in the UK from Relixiy, are so exquisitely crafted and their fabric feels so soft, silky and luxurious that it would be impossible to not fall in love with it.

Weighted blankets have been used for a long time to help people with specific issues and needs, such as anxiety, autism, OCD or fibromyalgia, but their use is now becoming more widespread. Their beneficial effects are applicable to many other problems that people face in their lives, whether it’s trouble sleeping or high stress levels, and many people also use one simply because they love the comfort and security it provides.

Here are some additional reasons why a weighted blanket would make a fantastic gift.

Helps to relieve stress

If you know somebody who’s very busy and doesn’t get much time to themselves, a weighted blanket could help them a lot to relax after a long day. But even if you don’t, everyone feels a little stressed out now and again, and the calming feeling of a weighted blanket can do a great deal to ease it when it occurs for them.

The deep touch pressure applied by the blanket tells your brain that it’s okay to relax, and one of the resulting effects is the reduction of cortisol, the stress hormone. In addition to this, another response to the sensation is the increased production of hormones that help to reduce stress, such as serotonin and dopamine.

Improves sleep

Cortisol also has another potentially negative effect, which is its disturbance of sleep. Usually, our bodies produce less cortisol at night and more during the day. But, if we’re very stressed out and our cortisol levels are still high at nighttime, we’ll have more trouble falling asleep. By naturally lowering cortisol levels as mentioned above, using a weighted blanket will lower the risk of this happening.

The deep touch pressure of a weighted blanket also helps to increase the production of another important hormone called melatonin, which is responsible for sleep regulation. When it gets dark your body produces more of it, which signals that it’s time to relax and get ready to sleep. However, many people suffer from having low melatonin levels even at nighttime, which can also cause sleeping difficulties. This could be caused by a variety of factors, including stress, not being exposed to enough sunlight during the day, or being exposed to too much light at nighttime, such as from a computer screen. By helping to increase melatonin, a weighted blanket can help to avoid this problem as well.

Helps to boost mood

As mentioned before, using a weighted blanket can also prompt the release of mood boosting hormones such as serotonin and dopamine. Low levels of hormones such as these can cause many issues related to mood, sleep and other functions in the body, and have been linked to conditions such as depression. Through the deep touch pressure sensation, using a weighted blanket can assist in increasing the levels of these hormones and keeping them at a healthy level. This can help the user to feel much happier, calmer and less stressed out.

It will be a unique gift

On top of all of these beneficial effects, there’s no doubt that a weighted blanket will simply be wonderfully comfortable to use and lay underneath. It will also see much more use than most other gifts will, as it will be used and enjoyed every night of the year. A weighted blanket is a gift that will continue to be appreciated for many years after it was first given.

Weighted blanket UK: the best thing i've bought

Gifting a weighted blanket: what to look for?

A first important consideration when gifting a weighted blanket is that these blankets are heavy and maybe a bit tricky to wash. But don’t worry, premium weighted blankets such as Relixiy are not only machine washable, but they are also coming with a removable luxury cover that will make life even easier. Thanks to the removable cover, a weighted blanket becomes almost like a normal blanket to care for: simply wash the cover without having to deal with the heavy insert! A cover will also generally make the blanket feel more comfy, so for those reasons we strongly recommend getting a weighted blanket with cover.

At this cold time of year especially, a warm and cosy blanket will be appreciated even more by the recipient of your gift. However, you may be worried that a weighted blanket could get far too hot for them to use during the warmer months. Although it depends on the materials that the blanket is composed of, most weighted blankets should remain comfortable and cool enough to use throughout the year. You should check the materials of the blanket you’re looking to buy and make sure that it’s made of breathable fabrics that can keep the temperature comfortable, such as the blankets available here at Relixiy.

The other most important thing to consider is the weight of the blanket. The total weight of the blanket should be about 10% of the body weight of the person who will be using it, or a little more or less depending on their preferences. If the blanket is too light or too heavy, it may not have the effects that it’s supposed to and may be uncomfortable to lay underneath. You also have to take extra care if the person you’re gifting it to has any physical health conditions, or otherwise has limited strength, as they have to be able to remove the blanket from themselves without difficulty or assistance.

You should also keep in mind that weighted blankets are generally designed to be used by one person at a time, and although it can be shared between two people of similar weights, it may not have the full effect that it’s meant to have when used this way.

Quality weighted blanket UK - Breathable 7 layers

Our weighted blankets at Relixiy are perfectly designed not only to give the best sensory experience but also to be easy care and “guilt-free”. Our premium blankets are ethically manufactured and also give back to the local UK community thanks to our amazing charity partner. Only with Relixiy your gift will be truly special not only for your loved ones but also for the less fortunate!

Final Words

Whether it’s for your daughter or son, sibling, parent or any other loved one, a weighted blanket will be a special gift that they will treasure for a long time. It can suit any time of the year, whether it’s for Christmas and New Year’s, their birthday or another occasion. If you know someone who you think would appreciate the beneficial effects of a weighted blanket, or who simply wants to have the most comfortable night’s sleep that they can have, then it’s a fantastic investment to make.

And, if you’re looking for the best weighted blanket to send as a special gift this Christmas, consider taking a look at the high-quality quilts available on our weighted blanket store page here at Relixiy.