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OK—so you survived Black Friday and Cyber Monday—you’ve crossed off some of the “big gift items” for either your family, friends or coworkers. However, what do you purchase for those that are a bit more difficult to shop for? For the ones that say, “get me whatever.” Or, what can you buy that goes beyond the basic/obvious gifts such as cologne/perfume, a tie, watch, handbag, gift cards, etc.? This week, let’s go beyond the materialistic presents for the holidays, and let’s explore more creative—sentimental options!
Give the gift of memories to last a lifetime:
If you’re shopping for someone that you know loves to travel or who wishes he/she could travel more, you might want to consider surprising them with a vacation to Europe, the Caribbean, etc. Whether it’s via flight or cruise, giving the gift of travel enables the recipient to explore new worlds, cultures, try new cuisine, learn new activities and leaves a lasting impression that one can reflect upon with smiles forever. However, trips don’t have to be too extravagant or weigh heavy on your wallet. You can book mini getaways, such as a bed and breakfast, weekend trip to a cabin, fishing trip, canoeing, skiing, beach town locations, etc. The key is to give the gift of seeing the world a bit differently --- even if it’s right in your very backyard! For instance--what historic landmarks are located where you live? Schedule a day to explore the history of the town where you live. My husband and I visited historic Richmond town in Staten Island, New York some years back, and we were able to learn how life was like in our area, during the mid-1600's. Also, my husband and I after eleven and a half years of being together and four years married--finally saw together this year--the Radio City Christmas Show Spectacular and we walked over the Brooklyn Bridge and went to the top of the Empire State Building.
Give the gift of song and dance:
If there’s someone in your life that has a favorite band, singer, or loves Broadway shows, then giving the gift of concerts or plays would be literally--an entertaining gift! These days there’s all kinds of VIP access to certain concerts which would add as an additional fun bonus! You can help this person finally get to see their favorite artist or add to a number of times they’ve already attended the artist’s venue. I absolutely love watching plays! To be able to go venture into a different world through character emotions, set changes, intricate costumes and enchanting music—all live—right in front of you—there’s nothing like it! My husband and I definitely give this kind of gift to each other a lot! What’s also wonderful about seeing Broadway or Off Broadway shows is that there’s something for everyone out there ranging from different genres. For example, if you know someone who is a real-deal Harry Potter fan, give the gift of the Off-Broadway play – Puffs Or: Seven Years of Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic. It’s an ingenious way of experiencing the story of Harry Potter but through the eyes of the Hufflepuffs – or as the play refers to them as, “Puffs.”
Give the gift of sports:
Know anyone who is a baseball, basketball, hockey, soccer, football fan? Perhaps buying season tickets for that person or tickets to the World Series, etc., would definitely make for an exciting gift. Sports can also extend beyond watching anything athletic—perhaps someone you know always wanted to learn how to ski, ice skate, snowboard, etc. You might want to consider buying lesson packages for any of these and other sports.
Give the gift of personalized items:
Presents that can be engraved, embroidered or screen printed really add that special touch to a person’s holiday or any time of the year. You can engrave jewelry, plaques, picture frames, jewelry boxes, drinking glasses, bracelets, etc. My husband Anthony, works in an embroidery/screen printing store called Spartan Embroidery in Staten Island, New York. During the holidays, he receives tons of orders for embroidered jackets, shirts, canvas bags, or other items for screen printing. It’s a fun gift and can be very sentimental. For example, one year, we gave my father a directly embroidered jacket consisting of his old Monte Carlo car with the corresponding colors and fonts for the year he owned it. He wears it a lot and feels a close connection to it since he doesn’t own the car anymore.
Give the gift of photos:
Every year, I go on Shutterfly.com and have a field day!!! I absolutely love creating my own photo gifts for those special in my life. On this site, you can make your own cards, calendars, photo books, pillows and blankets with pictures transferred on them, specially designed frames, and so much more detailed home décor items. Every year I make a calendar for my husband and I usually theme it to whatever our last vacation was. He can't wait to see this gift (and expects it every year) because he knows I took the time to create it the way I want it to look for him. You can also design jewelry with pictures as well and ornaments for someone's Christmas tree. I actually designed through Shutterfly.com, jewelry with images of my grandparents who have passed away—as a gift to myself to always have them close to my heart.
Give the gift of creativity:
You may have very hands on—crafty people to shop for and one of the best places to go for items like this is either Michael's, AC Moore or any other craft store that’s near your location. These craft stores house so many items that you can construct, paint and decorate—for instance, bird cages, baskets, lanterns, frames, jewelry, vases, floral arrangements, holiday decorations, crocheting, etc. Craft stores are a great place to shop for additions to someone’s small business like signage making. You can also purchase coloring books for adults!!! Having holiday ornaments personalized with family, friend or coworker's names on them is such a heartwarming gift because they can represent special achievements in their lives -- for example--baby's first Christmas, New Home, #1 Teacher, etc. My husband and I give personalized ornaments as a stocking gift and to those that receive them, adore the different themes they get to have each year.
Other ways of being crafty and creative—maybe you can surprise someone with a home or room makeover or a garage overhaul. Perhaps give the gift of detailing someone’s car or restoring and old one, or even customize a motorcycle for someone you know who has one.
Give the gift of well-being:
Who isn't stressed out these days and needs to recharge! If you know someone who is very conscious of their health or needs a shift in living a more stress-free life, you may want to consider giving a holistic type gift to that person. You can give gift certificates to Reiki sessions, Acupuncture, Spa/Massage treatments, Facials, Hair and Nail appointments, Yoga and Pilate classes, Psychic or Mediumship Readings, Angel Card Readings, crystal energy gifts, essential oil, aromatherapy, exercise equipment, etc. Presents like these would very much help center and balance someone to living a healthier lifestyle -- mentally, physically and emotionally.
Give the gift of cuisine:
Do you have family members who love to cook, but their recipes are scattered everywhere or do you know someone in your family that wants to learn your recipes? Consider making a special cookbook using supplies at a craft store or going on Shutterfly.com and creating a special cookbook of recipes. This delicious gift will definitely be one that will keep on giving, but you're also be sharing the gift of learning about the family's traditions and cultures. You can also give that special someone a cooking class gift and have them signed up somewhere in their area. Perhaps that person always wanted to learn how to bake, make dinner, or cook in a more gluten free or vegan approach.
You can also give someone a gift certificate to their favorite restaurant or surprise them with a restaurant reservation that is usually hard for them to make. My husband's Aunt every year gets us different restaurant gift certificates in Staten Island and we look forward to it every time. It's most of the time to places that we've never heard of and are so lucky to have finally experienced the ambiance and taste of it. You can also surprise your loved one with making your own special dinner at home as a pre-gift before going to see a play or other event. Maybe you know a wine enthusiast and you can purchase special wines to add to their collection or even take them to a winery or even Tuscany, Italy! Can we say YAY!
Give the gift of imagination:
If you know someone who LOVES to read like me, definitely keep up-to-date with what that person reads or is interested in yet adding to their library. You can also purchase beautifully themed bookends or bookshelves or even build a bookshelf for someone. Surprising someone with a trip to their local library for their favorite author book signing is definitely a gift that will be remembered for a long time.
Give the gift of collecting:
If there's someone on your list that loves to collect, baseball cards, stamps, angel figurines, pins, antiques, shot glasses, tools, patches, car parts, classic movies, fishing hooks, etc., helping add to someone's collection really shows that you pay attention to detail. You are also getting them closer to their goal of what they want to collect.
The bottom line for unique holiday gift shopping--when shopping for anyone you know--as long as the gift/idea comes from your heart, no matter the cost--your heartfelt effort will show that person the time and appreciation that it took remembering them in your life.
Happy shopping and have a wonderful, loving and safe holiday season!