23 last-minute gifts for anyone who needs a good night's sleep

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23 last-minute gifts for anyone who needs a good night's sleep

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Sleep can be a delicious respite from the day's stressors or an uncomfortable challenge of endless tossing and turning. Many of us can experience both at different times in our lives, so we can all appreciate a gift that helps us rest more.

Whether they're a new parent, a semi-professional napper, or a rise-with-the-sun morning person, everyone's sleep quality could be improved. Put your loved ones on the path to dreamland with gifts designed to soothe them.

We included multiple retailers where possible in case one store offers faster shipping, though we don't think your loved one will mind too much if their favorite gift arrives after Christmas.

The 23 best sleep gifts for a restorative and relaxing slumber:
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A meditation app with soothing content

A meditation app with soothing content
Apple Store
Subscription to Calm, from $14.99/month

Meditation can slow down racing minds, and the Calm app curates guided meditations to suit personal needs. A subscription to Calm gives access to a library of bedtime stories and meditations geared towards the user's preferences. This app is likely to help even the most restless people sleep deeper.

A journal for curious dreamers

A journal for curious dreamers
Amazon
Dreamer's Journal: An Illustrated Guide to the Subconscious, available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble, from $16.98

If you have a friend who claims prophetic powers or loves introspection, a dream journal can encourage them to explore their subconscious mind. With illustrated prompts and a guide to common dream symbolism, this journal is an adventure into the unknown.

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An aromatherapy diffuser

An aromatherapy diffuser
Wayfair
SpaRoom Ultrasonic Essential Oil Diffuser, available at Bed Bath and Beyond and Wayfair, from $39.99

The simplicity of this aromatherapy diffuser makes it perfect for before bedtime. The 5-ounce water tank runs continuously for five hours or intermittently for 10. All you need to do is add a few drops of essential oils and the soothing mist will run throughout the night. We appreciate the functionality of this diffuser in small spaces.

*Gift may arrive after Christmas.

An affordable and effective sleep mask

An affordable and effective sleep mask
Amazon
Natural Silk Sleep Mask, available at Amazon, $9.99

A low price doesn't have to mean low quality, and Alaska Bear's sleep mask is one of our favorites. The high-quality silk mask comes in one- and two-strap models, securely blocking out light without irritating skin all night long.

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A small but powerful white noise machine

A small but powerful white noise machine
Facebook
LectroFan High Fidelity White Noise Machine, available at Amazon and Bed Bath and Beyond, from $49.99

Don't let the practical nature of this gift fool you. This compact machine produces blanketing white noise, canceling out street noise with fan sounds at various intensities. For anyone trying to get a good night's sleep in a noisy space (who isn't?), we can't recommend this product highly enough.

A soothing body balm

A soothing body balm
Blade and Bloom
Rich Body Balm, available at Blade and Bloom, $28

Bring the spa home with a frankincense and amber scented body balm. The shea butter, coconut oil, and sweet almond oil absorb easily into the skin for long-lasting moisture.

*Gift may arrive after Christmas.

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An extra-soft throw blanket

An extra-soft throw blanket
Amazon
Fleece Blanket Throw, available at Amazon, $23.99

Treat a loved one to softness and warmth this year with a microfiber fleece throw blanket. Available in five sizes and 30 different colors, this lightweight blanket fits seamlessly into any decor.

A weighted blanket for all night comfort

A weighted blanket for all night comfort
Brooklinen
Weighted Comforter, available at Brooklinen, $249

As the popularity of weighted blankets soars, this product is sure to be on wish lists everywhere. The Brooklinen weighted comforter can replace regular bed covers, eliminating the need for layered blankets. We recommend also using a machine-washable duvet cover because the comforter itself is dry clean only.

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A relaxation set for tea lovers

A relaxation set for tea lovers
David's Tea
David's Tea Relaxation Kit, available at David's Tea, $28.50Sweet Dreams Tea Sachet Variety Pack, available at David's Tea, $12.50

Herbal tea is a favorite bedtime beverage for its soothing properties. With three flavors of loose leaf tea infusions, an eye mask, and a small teacup, this kit is almost like spa vacation in a box for tea lovers. Or to help them find their next favorite, you can give them a variety pack with four soothing flavors.

*Editor's note: Gift may arrive after Christmas.

A story collection for bedtime reading

A story collection for bedtime reading
Amazon
Best American Short Stories 2020, available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Target, from $13.20

Two tenants of sleep hygiene are limiting screen time before bed and cultivating a winding down routine. With a short story collection, readers can go through one story a night, creating a screen-free bedtime habit. There are endless options, but the annual Best American Short Stories series is a great place to start.

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A pillow spray for sweet dreams

A pillow spray for sweet dreams
ThisWorks
Deep Sleep Pillow Spray, available at Amazon and Ulta, from $25

The spray is vegan and made of cruelty-free ingredients like lavender, vetivert, and chamomile to help relax busy minds as soon as they hit the pillow.

A healthy hot cocoa

A healthy hot cocoa
Golde
Cacao Wellness Blend, available at Golde, $29

Help them realize the dream of healthy hot cocoa with this cacao wellness blend made with turmeric and coconut. It will make them feel all sorts of warm and cozy.

*Gift may arrive after Christmas.

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A cult favorite pillowcase

A cult favorite pillowcase
LilySilk
19 Momme Silk Pillowcase, available at LilySilk, $20

Add some luxury to their bedtime with a high-quality silk pillowcase, featuring an envelope closure and hand-washing instructions. When we reviewed this pillowcase, we found that hot sleepers felt cooler, and testers with a variety of hair textures all noticed decreased frizz.

*Editor's note: Gift may arrive after Christmas.

A more natural alarm clock

A more natural alarm clock
Philips
Phillips SmartSleep Wake-Up Light, available at Amazon, $99.95

Night owls and early birds alike will love the soothing alarm clock alternative of this simulated sunrise and sunset. Though there's no app (which is good because it's one less device before bedtime), the SmartSleep's manual controls are simple to use and allow some customization.

It's one of our top picks in our wake up alarm clock guide, and our tester felt the mood-enhancing benefits of the light and felt more refreshed the morning after testing it.

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A luxurious candle

A luxurious candle
Otherland
Chandelier, available at Otherland, $36

This beautiful candle has notes of bubbly, saffron, and leather for a not-too-sweet scent that's perfect for cozy nights in.

*Editor's note: Gift may arrive after Christmas.

A pair of cozy socks

A pair of cozy socks
Target
Women's Sweater Knit Sherpa Lined Slipper Socks, available at Target, $10

Give them the gift of toasty toes with a pair of sherpa-lined slipper socks. As if the multi-colored knit and festive patterns weren't cute enough, each pair has pom-poms dangling off the cuff for extra flair.

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An everyday and night pair of pajamas

An everyday and night pair of pajamas
Jambys
Jambys Pajamas, available at Jambys, from $35

For loungewear lovers, Jambys offers pajama separates that effortlessly go between work and sleep from home. Its gender-inclusive styles aren't restrictive or heat-retaining, making them hard to give up when the day starts.

*Editor's note: Gift may arrive after Christmas.

A star sign pillow

A star sign pillow
Urban Outfitters
Zodiac Trait Throw Pillow, available at Urban Outfitters, $49

The astrology believer will love going to sleep with a pillow that really gets them. The cotton fabric is printed with bold text and relevant star sign symbols.

*Editor's note: Gift may arrive after Christmas.

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A midnight snack

A midnight snack
Partake
Soft Baked Cookies Variety Pack, available at Partake Foods, $14.99

Almost everyone can enjoy the chewy deliciousness of Partake cookies, made without common allergens like gluten, nuts, and soy. The variety pack includes cookie butter, chocolate chip, and triple chocolate cookies just waiting to be part of a midnight snack.

*Editor's note: Gift may arrive after Christmas.

A soft and durable pair of sheets

A soft and durable pair of sheets
L.L.Bean
Pima Cotton Percale Sheet Set, available at L.L.Bean, from $109

There is nothing better than sinking into bed with amazing sheets, and L.L.Bean's 280-thread-count set is the best we've tried. The fabric is breathable, crisp, and holds up after multiple washes for long-lasting quality worth the price.

*Editor's note: Gift may arrive after Christmas.

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A quality travel pillow

A quality travel pillow
Amazon
Cabeau Evolution Travel Pillow, available at Amazon, REI, and Bed Bath and Beyond, from $29.99

For couch nappers or plane sleepers, a supportive travel pillow is a must-have to avoid neck stiffness. The Cabeau pillow comes in 7 colors with a compact travel case and a strap to attach to uncomfortable headrests.

An adjustable star projector

An adjustable star projector
Amazon
BlissLights Laser Star Projector, available at Amazon, Bed Bath and Beyond, and The Home Depot, from $49.99

The lucky stargazer can fall asleep under drifting galaxies with this home projector. They can use the adjustable brightness and tilting base to suit their preferences, and the 1-year warranty ensures the magic won't stop anytime soon.

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A onesie for grown-ups

A onesie for grown-ups
MeUndies
Unisex Adult Onesie, available at MeUndies, $78 ($62 for members)

If they won't buy one for themselves, help them take the leap into comfort with a MeUndies adult onesie. Made from sustainably sourced natural fibers, this zip-up one-piece comes in four solid colors and 12 different patterns. Once they put it on, they'll never take it off.

*Editor's note: Gift may arrive after Christmas.