Daina Smite

Sometimes the smallest gift can bring the biggest smile. Yet finding the right gift can be surprisingly challenging - especially if you want to choose something the recipient will genuinely use and enjoy. My approach to gifting is focused on practicality, offering items that will be appreciated rather than left to collect dust on a shelf. As someone who spends Christmas with elderly clients instead of my family, I have tried to bring together ideas that work well for both. These are meaningful little treasures chosen with comfort, usefulness and a touch of joy in mind.

As a live-in carer, my free time is precious — and when I get it, I love making it count. This list is a mix of my favourite hobbies and quiet-time pleasures, as well as creative crafts that help me unwind, and little activities that make me feel recharged. Whether you’re a fellow carer or just someone looking for ideas to relax and reset, these are the things that bring me joy when I finally get a moment for myself.

My skin is combination—dry in some areas, oily on the nose, with noticeable pores. After years of trial and error, I’ve finally found the perfect mix-and-match skincare routine for combination skin. I know my picks are a bit on the pricey side, and there are definitely more budget-friendly options, but I love to treat myself—and once I find products that work, I stick with them. These are the skincare gems that truly help balance combination skin, leaving it smooth, hydrated, and shine-free.

This isn't your typical self-help list. These are stories—powerful, engaging, and deeply human—that show us what's possible. These books harness the timeless power of narrative to explore themes of resilience, purpose, and personal growth, demonstrating that the best lessons aren't just taught, but lived. As Osho has said: “Feel grateful and start searching for what can help you to grow, as you are not to become a carbon copy of someone else, but just to remain your original self.”

After more than a decade of living out of a suitcase, I’ve learned how to pack smart. Over the years, I’ve figured out what I truly need, how to save space, and which little extras are worth bringing along because they make me feel more at home wherever I go. Some of the items on my list are on the pricier side, but I’ve always lived by the motto that it’s better to invest once in quality than to keep replacing cheaper things over and over. This list is a mix of practical travel essentials and small personal comforts—the things that always travel with me, and that might give you ideas for your own journeys too.

I am a series fan, so here you will find quite a few. It doesn't mean I don't read standalones, but sometimes it feels like you live with the characters and want to know how they get on further down the road. So, when I finally get a quiet moment, these are the books I reach for — murder, mystery, and suspense that keep me turning the pages long into the night, sometimes with a bit of romance thrown in. From the chilling twists of D.K. Hood to the gripping cases of Angela Marsons, Jennifer Chase, and Neil Lancaster, among others, these stories never fail to pull me in. If you love books that make your heart race and keep you guessing until the very last page, you might find something that catches your attention.

As a carer, I always try to encourage and promote independence, helping individuals maintain their motor skills and a sense of control over their own lives and choices. Empowering older adults to perform simple tasks independently can make a significant difference in their self-esteem, confidence, and overall well-being. That’s why I’ve created this list of items — from practical kitchen aids to walking aids — each one chosen with ease, dignity, and reassurance in mind. There are a lot of tools and different variations of each, but I will share the ones that are readily available and don't require prior assessment from OT.

Being a carer means juggling numerous responsibilities, and staying organised makes a significant difference. This list gathers practical Etsy printables designed to support care — from care plans and daily logs to contracts, last wishes, and more. Whether you’re a professional carer or looking after a loved one, these resources help bring structure, clarity, and peace of mind to the caring journey.