Wellness

COLA gift guide: 10 wellness experiences we’d love to receive

Your friends and fam will love these local, experience-based gifts (like a ticket package to see the Fireflies). | Photo by COLAtoday

Happy holidays, COLA. Have a wellness enthusiast on your shopping list?

We’ve curated 10 experience-based gift ideas for anyone who likes to sweat, play, or just spectate locally — from the weekend warriors and outdoorsy friends to the sports fans and creative crafters.

🏌️ For sports lovers

Prisma Health Apex Golf Performance Program | $250-$350 | This is a hole-in-one gift for the golfer in your life. This program includes a golf assessment and fitness screening, swing analysis + expert coaching to help improve a golfer’s overall play.

Columbia Fireflies Season Tickets | Prices vary| Gift a 2024 half season, full season, or multi-game ticket membership to your baseball-loving partner or bestie. (That’s up to 66+ home games.)

🛶 For the outdoorsy ones

Riverbanks Zoo Membership | $69-$209 | For the friend that loves the outdoors and wildlife, gift a Riverbanks Zoo membership. It will give them access to the zoo year-round, plus special members-only savings.

River Tubing Trip | $20-$85 | A Palmetto Outdoor Center gift card can cover a standard or deluxe 3-hour tubing trip down the Saluda River.

Harbison State Forest Annual Pass | $25 | Any nature lover in your life will appreciate year-round free entry (plus free parking) to Harbison State Forest for activities like hiking and mountain biking.

🧖 For the self-care superstars

Local Spa Package | Prices vary | After a busy holiday season, we could all use a moment to relax + rejuvenate. Send your loved ones an OCCO Luxury Spa package — complete with a massage, facial, and other select services.

Adult Art Class | Prices vary | The self-care superstar in your life can express themselves + enjoy “me time” with this gift. The Columbia Museum of Art offers adult art classes year-round, from pottery to drawing and more.

Keep reading for gifts for your loved ones who love to nourish their mind, body, and spirit.

Gifts for the wellness whizzes

Asked

What kind of gift is topping your list this year?

A. Something relaxing
B. Something active
C. Something new to experience
D. Something delicious

Tell us what you're eyeing

Events

Health

Lifesaver League Blood Drive | Thursday, December 14 | 2-7 p.m. | Segra Park, 1640 Freed St. | Free | The Blood Connection and the Columbia Fireflies are hosting a blood drive at the stadium with multiple time slots available for donors.

Family

Santa Saturdays | Saturday, December 16 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | South Carolina State Museum, 301 Gervais St. | $0-$8.95 | Bring the whole family for a meet-and-greet with Santa + other holiday fun at the museum.
Kids Aerial Yoga and Crafts | Saturday, December 16 | 2-4:30 p.m. | Fit Columbia, 2121 College St. | $40 | Relax and wrap up holiday errands while the kids enjoy an aerial yoga session and mindfulness crafts.

Active

Family Holiday Yoga | Saturday, December 23 | 10-11 a.m. | Fit Columbia, 2121 College St. | $5 | An inclusive all-levels yoga class that the whole family can enjoy, followed by games, stories, and a cup of hot cocoa.
Cold Winter’s Day 5K | Saturday, December 30 | 10 a.m. | Corner of 4801 Forest Dr. and Trenholm Rd. | $15-$30 | Bundle up for this 5K run + walk and snowflake youth fun run in support of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Harbison 25K/50K Trail Race and Muddy Double | January 6-7, 2024 | Times vary | Harbison State Forest, 5600 Broad River Rd. | $55-$80 | Sign up to start off the new year strong with a 50K/25K race through the winding trails at Harbison State Forest.

Outdoors

Birding at Ballentine | Saturday, January 6, 2024 | 3-4 p.m. | Richland Library Ballentine, 1200 Dutch Fork Rd. | Free | Join other nature enthusiasts on the library patio to birdwatch + learn how to identify local birds by sight and sound.

Wellness

How to handle the holiday blues

side view of a woman looking sad with holiday lights in the background

Find the support you need to cope with seasonal stressors + the holiday blues. | Photo provided by Prisma Health

This time of year may not be bright lights and festive cheer for everyone. Seasonal stressors can come in many forms — from grief and loneliness to financial hardships and family tension — and can lead to feelings of anxiety and depression.

Here are some expert-suggested tips for battling the holiday blues:

Share your feelings with a loved one.
Set healthy relationship boundaries.
Volunteer in your community (which can boost your mood + help keep you socially connected).

More ways to keep spirits bright this season

News Notes

Eat

Whether or not you’re planning to see Willy Wonka don his signature purple coat for the first time in theaters this holiday movie season, you can impress friends and family with this purple sweet potato pie with maple whipped cream. Bonus: You’ll brighten up your plate with antioxidant-packed goodness.

Holiday

Candy canes, stuffing, eggnog, pies — oh my. If you’re looking to stay a step ahead of holiday eating, these five holiday nutrition tips can help (think: dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate).

Edu

Registration is open for Richland Library’s 6-week SNAP-Ed Cooking Matters course, which begins on January 7, 2024. Parents or caregivers can sign up for this free, hands-on course to learn food budgeting + grocery shopping tips, healthy cooking, meal prepping, and more from nutrition professionals.

Health

Did you know? More heart-related deaths occur on Christmas Day than on any other day of the year. Factors like heightened stress levels, overindulgence in unhealthy foods, and over-consumption of alcohol can lead to heart-health risks. Learn more about how to prevent holiday season heart problems.

Family

Winter break is around the bend for K-12 schools in COLA. To make parent’s lives easier, we’ve rounded up the best local kid-friendly activities to keep your children occupied + entertained this holiday season.

Wellness

Don’t let an injury or illness get in the way of your family enjoying the most wonderful time of the year. Check out this list of common holiday health hazards and learn how to keep your family safe and healthy this season.

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