While shopping online for friends and family, I found this interesting article about healthy stress-reducing gifts for the holiday season. Some of them are kind of pricey, but the tips also include thrifty alternatives that are still really neat! You never know, you may find one of these ideas perfect for a gift to yourself. Here are some ideas to get the creative juices flowing.

Giving the gift of nutrition can take many forms. Apples in the stocking (just kidding) or that popular waist-management book You: On A Diet make great presents. But what about giving the gift of a registered dietitian? Your loved ones start out by weighing in and getting a full medical history. Body fat percentages and metabolic rates are all tallied. The big payoff is a personalized menu and plan for weight loss that includes realistic targets, gains and goals. Talk about the gift that keeps on giving!

It's not cheap though. The initial consultation could run you up $125 an hour. A less-expensive alternative, however, could be even more personalized if you put effort into it. Why not create a custom healthy cookbook? I can speak from experience, because sites like Lulu.com help by putting together and publishing a really professional-looking product. You could include some of your own healthy recipes or find new ones off the Internet. Be creative!