7 Last-Minute 'Gifts' to Give Your Anxious Friend

The holidays are here, happening now, and you may be wondering what last-minute gifts or gestures you can pull off before the season officially comes to a close.

Well, if you’re “shopping” for an anxious friend, we’ve got you covered. Sure, it’s nice to get a gift money can buy every once in a while, but these *free* gifts are gestures you can give to an anxious person all year long. This is my personal wish list — if you’re an anxious person, tell me what you want in the comments below.

1. Random reassurance I’m not a bad person.

A text will do and is actually preferred to an out-of-the-blue phone call. If you text me at any time of day, “Hey, you’re not a bad person,” nine out of 10 times, I was already worrying about it, and your text will come at a perfect time.

2. A get-out-of-plans free card.

No excuse or explanation needed. Give me a card I can give to you when peopling feels too hard that day, and I promise I’ll do my best to show up next time.

3. One night of no decisions. 

This. Is. A. Dream. Tell me what we’re doing. Tell me what we’re eating. I’ll be there, ready to enjoy myself, without the pressure of having to decide anything. Yes, this isn’t a sustainable solution to anxiety, but indulge me for one night and I’ll go back to making decisions tomorrow.

4. Guilt-free ‘worry’ time.

If you’re able, give me guilt-free time to vent/worry about all the silly things going through my mind. Don’t try to find the logical thread because they’re probably isn’t one, but a safe space to get my worries out there might be the best gift I get all year.

5. Answer emails in my inbox. 

This one might be a little specific to me, but if anyone ever wanted to literally go into my inbox and answer my emails, that would be a great gift. I would seriously consider letting someone steal my identity if that meant they were also going to answer my emails.

6. Predict my future. 

Sure, this gift may be “impossible” and “unrealistic,” but a true friend would be able to let me know exactly what to expect every day when I open my eyes so I never have to think about it. An hour-by-hour run down would be great, thank you so much.

7. Confide in me.

All jokes a side, I hate feeling like a burden, so when you share your worries, anxieties and fears with me, it makes me feel safer confiding in you. Trust me, I would never judge a single thought that goes through your brain. Have you seen my brain? We can be each other’s Secret Santas all year long and continually give each other a safe space to vent, worry and grow.

What would you add?