Top 10 gifts for National Doctors’ Day

March 30^th is National Doctors’ Day, a day that honors physicians who have dedicated their lives to medicine and healing their patients. For those with a physician in their lives, it is a wonderful opportunity to show them your appreciation and thank them for the sacrifices they have made in honor of their commitment to putting others first.

Being a physician is often a thankless job, and it is nice to be reminded that we are appreciated. Here is a gift guide to get the doctor in your life something they will love — whether it be for National Doctors’ Day, graduation from medical school or residency, or just because.

Please note that I have no financial connection to any of the companies or products mentioned in this article, and have received no incentive to share these products.

Compression socks

Starting off strong, this would not be a proper gift guide without a pair of socks. These, however, are not your typical tacky designed socks. Rather, they are compression socks, which can be useful and beneficial for physicians who are on their feet all day.

These socks facilitate circulation and may even provide a boost of energy. I suggest choosing a high-quality brand such as Vim and Vigr, which offers several uniquely designed socks. Other high-quality brands include Sockwell, Comrad, Dr. Segal and Figs.

Coffee travel mug

It is widely acknowledged that medical students and doctors cannot function without a steady supply of coffee. A Porter Mug from W&P is sleek, minimal and timeless. Available in a wide selection of colors and designs, these mugs are the perfect neutral gift for the caffeine-addicted physician-on-the-go. I know this because I have gotten several compliments on mine!

Coffee

What better way to fill up your coffee travel mug than with your favorite local coffee? I can almost guarantee that a gift of your loved one’s favorite local coffee beans will be used up quickly.

Some of my personal favorites include Smokey Row (Des Moines-based), Intelligentsia (Chicago-based) or any Colombian-imported coffee. Otherwise, consider getting a gift card to a local (fine, or Starbucks) coffee shop instead.

Massage gift card

Speaking of gift cards, a friend recently purchased a massage gift card for me. I ended up using it at the end of a tough trauma rotation – a well-deserved reward to myself that I found absolutely rejuvenating. Check out any local massage boutiques in your physician’s area and consider sending a gift card.

Candle

After a long day at the hospital, what better way is there to unwind and dissociate than turning on your favorite reality TV show and lighting one of your favorite candles? You’ll never go wrong with a seasonal scented soy candle from Target, but an aesthetically pleasing one from Anthropologie can take your bougie-ness to the next level. Some classics that smell divine include candles from the Capri Blue Collection.

Wine

Every so often, I love to pair my candle and reality TV show with a glass of red wine. Perhaps you can gift a bottle of wine (check out relatively inexpensive ones at Trader Joe’s) or a bottle of champagne for the graduating medical student. This is a perfect celebratory gift that looks even cuter adorned with a doctor wine decoration coat from Amazon. If the physician in your life prefers an alcohol-free lifestyle, the decoration will also fit over a bottle of non-alcoholic wine or a fancy bottle of lemonade from Trader Joe’s.

Lululemon jacket

The Define Jacket Luon from Lululemon is a versatile article of clothing that can be worn over scrubs, during excercise or as athleisure wear outside of the hospital or clinic. Unless the doctor in your life already has one, there likely is no need for a gift receipt as I can vouch for this — it will not be returned! There are also several men’s versions, including the Sojourn jacket.

Gym shoes

Comfortable footwear is an essential component in the life of a physician. Some popular brands include Hoka, On and Dansko clogs. A simple shoe from New Balance can also carry me from standing in the OR for several hours to running around the emergency department all day.

Books

A comprehensive financial guide is a must-have for any physician, resident or medical student. A popular one is “The White Coat Investor” by James Dahle, MD. Another book I recommend is, “Taking Stock: A Hospice Doctor’s Advice on Financial Independence, Building Wealth, and Living a Regret-Free Life,” by Jordan Grumet, MD. I also would not hesitate to gift non-medical books, which can help provide a much-needed escape from reality.

Foot massager

A perfect gift to come home to after a long day. This foot massager from Amazon features settings that range from less intense to deep kneading, which can really help loosen tension and deliver relief to overworked muscles. Knead I say more?