Top 10 Healthy Holiday Gift Ideas

Contributed by The Alliance for a Healthier Generation

This holiday season, help your loved ones start their New Year's resolutions a little early with gifts that encourage eating better and moving more.

1. Exercise Class Gift Cards
Inspire a little gym motivation by giving your friends exercise class gift cards. Whether it's Yoga, spinning, Zumba or their personal favorite, you can help them stay physically active this winter. Bonus points if you offer to be their buddy and join.

2. Must-Have Holiday Cooking Gear
A portable grill top or a steamer for a stove is an easy way to prepare vegetables and meats in a nutritious, delicious fashion.

3. Bike Tune-up
Are there bikes gathering dust in the garage? Get them working good as new with a professional tune-up and inspire your family to start riding.

4. Fresh Fruit
This holiday season, hold the cake and give sweet, healthy fresh fruit. Order in a store, online or express yourself by purchasing and arranging the fruit on your own.

5. Jump Ropes
Jumping rope is a great workout and is the perfect indoor activity during inclement winter weather. Make your gift extra special with a jump rope technique video.

6. Water Bottles
Staying hydrated is essential during physical activity. Show your family and friends you support their commitment to fitness and exercise with this personal gift they will bring on every work out.

7. Race Registration
Racing is a great way to work towards an objective. Whether it's a local 5K or a full marathon, giving the gift of a goal will provide an important benchmark on the path to a healthier lifestyle.

8. Sports Balls
Soccer balls, medicine balls, basketballs and other sports balls are fun ways to cut down on screen time and encourage kids to get active.

9. Homemade Granola
Granola can be a healthier alternative than prepackaged breakfast foods. By making your own granola you can customize your gift to someone's tastes while also ensuring only wholesome ingredients make it into their morning meals.

10. Local Produce Membership
Fresh produce is a healthy and delicious addition to any household. Many neighborhoods offer community supported agriculture programs that are open for membership. Give the gift that keeps your pantry and your family full of seasonal, local vegetables.

For more tips on ways you can cultivate a healthy lifestyle visit: www.HealthierGeneration.org.

About the Alliance for a Healthier Generation
The Alliance for a Healthier Generation works to address one of the nation's leading public health threats - childhood obesity. The goal of the Alliance is to reduce the prevalence of childhood obesity by 2015, and to empower kids nationwide to make healthy lifestyle choices. Founded in 2005 by the American Heart Association and William J. Clinton Foundation, the Alliance works to positively affect the places that can make a difference to a child's health: homes, schools, doctor's offices and communities. For more information please visit: HealthierGeneration.org.