Gifts for Active Women

1. Hand Warmers

I'm always cold and I notice that a lot of women have the same problem. If the woman in your life is like me, she'll love these hand warmers for outdoor exercise, especially if she's a skier or snowboarder. These hand warmers heat up quickly and easily fit inside gloves or pockets. The package directions suggest they last 7 hours, but I've found the heat starts to peter out after about 5 to 6 hours. This is a great stocking-stuffer idea for a co-worker or a friend who always has icy fingers.

2. Acorn Fleece Socks

While these fleece socks aren't ideal for exercise, they are the perfect post-workout indulgence. I have a pair of these and I pretty much live in them during the winter. In fact, I could use another pair. But, enough about me. If you're looking for a stocking stuffer for the active woman in your life, you can never go wrong with warm, fleece socks. She'll especially love them after cold-weather activities like skiing, shoveling snow or walking the dog.

3. Burt's Bees Hand Salve

Dry skin is often a problem in winter, especially for women who exercise outdoors. The dry, cold air can really zap moisture from her skin, leaving her chapped and itchy. Burt's Bees Hand Salve is one of the better choices for protecting the skin from the elements and one of my all-time favorites. She'll really appreciate how it soothes and heals both before and after a cold winter walk.

4. Fleece Headband

If she's an outdoorsy kind of woman but isn't crazy about having hat-hair, she might appreciate this fleece headband. I like this headband because it fits snugly (great if you have a small head), it doesn't get stretched out and it fits over the ears, offering protection from the wind without messing up the hairdo.

5. Omron Pocket Pedometer

Lots of great pedometers are out there (and you'll find our Walking Guide, Wendy, has some great reviews to help you out), but the Omron Pocket Pedometer is a favorite of mine. Like many pedometers, it measures regular steps and aerobic steps as well as distance, length and calories. What I like is that it keeps 7 days of history so you can compare your workouts from day to day, which is something I love to do. You can also attach the pedometer to your computer to download workout information. If she loves to walk and is into gadgets, she might enjoy something like this.

6. Apple Nike + iPod Sports Kit

This great sports kit is one of the better ideas I've seen and perfect for the new (or veteran) runner in your life. It includes a sensor that the runner puts on her shoe and it also includes a receiver she plugs into her iPod Nano. The sensor sends information to the Nano about pace, speed, distance, calories burned and more. This one doesn't include the Nano, but just the sensor and the receiver, so she'll need on of her own. They do sell kits that include the Nano. This is the perfect gift for the woman who loves to walk or run, listen to music and track her workouts.

7. Mountain Hardwear Refugium Heated Jacket

This heated jacket is perfect for the woman who's always cold, but loves to do things outside during the winter. This innovative jacket is sleek and stylish, but it also protects from the elements with its weather-resistant shell. A pouch inside holds a rechargeable battery which powers heat panels in the jacket for up to eight hours. There's even an optional USB connector that charges your cell phone or MP3 player. I wore it on cold, windy days in Chicago and was surprised by how light and toasty it was. It's pricey (around $230), but not much more than other quality outwear and well worth the price.

8. Spa Wish Gift Certificates

I know that giving massages or other spa treatments seems a little obvious these days (or maybe lazy?). But I don't care how many times someone gives me a gift certificate for a massage -- I never get tired of it. Chances are, the woman in your life barely slows down and doesn't take much time to pamper herself. If that's the case, SpaFinder allows you to give gift certificates for a massage, spa day, facial and other luxurious treatments.