The Christmas season is a time for gift giving and celebration. It's the best time to show the people we love how much we care for them. And, giving them something that would improve their health and lifestyle can be the best way to do that. Here are some healthy gift ideas that you can add to your Christmas shopping list:

Today, the definition of health is no longer limited to the absence of disease. It now involves a person's complete physical, mental and social well-being. This means that a person who is healthy chooses a healthy lifestyle which includes regular doses of physical activities and the absence of unhealthy practices. Giving your parents a one-month work out in a gym or sessions with a personal trainer can greatly improve their lifestyle. If you have a friend who has a sedentary lifestyle, you can also give some inexpensive and portable exercise equipment like exercise bands or balls. You can also get her some exercise videos. These will definitely encourage her to have a more active lifestyle. Enrolling your children to courses that allow them to learn a new skill like dancing or archery can be much better than giving them a new game. Not only will they end up with experiences that they can keep until they grow up, you will also be giving them something that they could excel in and improve their confidence.

Maintaining good health involves having the proper diet. Perhaps you can give your loved ones some books that will encourage them to eat right. Because many people have become conscious of the food that they eat, there are now many recipe books that contain dishes that are both tasty and low in fat. You can also give them some utensils that can encourage them to prepare healthier meals and drinks like juicers, vegetable steamers and grill pans. And, if you're in the habit of giving food for Christmas, why not find healthier substitutes for cookies and chocolates that have too much lard and sugar? Maybe you could give them some oatmeal cookies, granola bars or revel bars that are sweet and contain a lot of fiber.

You know how it feels to have a really rough day at work. Can you imagine what it's like to be able to have a night of pampering to look forward to. It's like having a gift from the heavens! So, why not give your friends the same treat by giving them a certificate to a spa or a salon? Of course, make sure that it's an open-dated certificate that they can save for that hellish day where nothing is going right!

This is a wonderful gift idea for friends or family members who need a boost of confidence. Some diamonds just need to be polished in order to show their brilliance. You've probably watched a lot of makeover shows on TV. All of them have happy endings. You see both men and women with smiles on their faces, looking radiant in their new look. Perhaps giving your friend a certificate to your favorite salon and an appointment with your designated hairdresser can do wonders for her. You can also think about buying your friend a new outfit.

A lot of people do have a hard time leaving their comfort zones and creating new breakthroughs in their lives. They know what they want but are just afraid to realize it, accept it and do it. And, they end up not being able to find their true potential. Perhaps giving them an appointment with a life coach or a self-help class can help them break out of their shell. And, being close to this person, you probably have an idea what this person has been wanting to do for a long time but has been to afraid. Perhaps you could add a new milestone to this person's life by giving him a certificate or ticket to a new activity or experience that he has been stopping himself from trying. You can also give them a "how to" book that can help them discovers new hobbies and activities.

Words of inspiration can sweeten a person's life. Sometimes, we can't help but look for things that would affirm our thoughts and choices in life. And, because we do tend to relate to the experiences that other people have, we end up finding our answers in their words. Inspirational books that contain experiences and philosophies to think about can be a good buy for Christmas.

As you can see, there is a better alternative to baskets filled with foods that have a lot of sodium, fat and sugar. Having a Merry Christmas doesn't mean that we should forgetting our health or those of our loved ones!