Every year when the holidays roll around I get this mixed feeling of joy and fear. The fear comes from the realization I have to start racking my brain for 100 different Christmas gifts. Slight exaggeration but you get it. You’re faced with the task of coming up with a gift for each and every person that meets all these requirements:
*thoughtful
*unique
*inexpensive
*something they don’t already have
*not cheesy
*decent quality
*something they would use
*is cute/cool
That’s a lot of pressure.
I’ve done plenty of searches online for gift help. So to help my fellow gift searchers, I’ve put together some ideas I’ve used successfully.
MARRIED COUPLES/PARENTS:
- Date Nights
-get a variety of gift cards they can use for date nights
ie: coffee, movies, ice cream, restaurants
- Tickets to an Event
ie: play, comedy show, concert, musical - A weekend or Night Away
ie: bed & breakfast, a nearby town/city with fun activities, spa
*As an added bonus if you gift someone a special night or weekend away, you can also offer to watch their kid (s) or dog sit
- Matching Pajamas and Mugs
-you can find a lot of cute Mr. & Mrs. items
- Get Local
-if you live in a different state than the gift receiver, put together a variety of products specially made in your state.
- Hobby Accessories
-Are they really into something right now? Camping/RVing, hiking, house projects, etc.
My in-laws bought a camper and they take full advantage of it in the warm months. So we put together some things we thought would come in handy for that.
ie: a personalized bag to store things in, scented fire starters, and a shark steam mop (there’s a lot of foot traffic in their camper).
SINGLES/COLLEGE STUDENTS:
- Subscription to Hulu
- Crockpot (include some good recipes)
- Funny t-shirt, Mug, and/or Movie
- Wine, Beer, Whiskey (as long as they’re 21)
-I have a brother in college and one thing I’ve learned is that he and his friends appreciate a good local beer or whiskey. Any gifts that go along with that are usually a hit also. - Gift cards
-This might seem like the easy way out. But when you’re on your own, gift cards are like gold! If you’re not sure what type of gift cards they’d like, ask for a list of 4 or 5 to pick from. - Just ask
-Maybe they’re trying to cook more and would love some new measuring cups and spoons. Maybe they’re trying to save up for a trip and would love to just take the money and put it towards that. No harm in asking!
LADIES IN YOUR LIFE:
- Pedicure
- Facial or Massage
-a morning or afternoon at a spa getting pampered?! That’s a great day
*My favorite place is Brookside Gardens located in Berthoud, CO. If you don’t know of a good place, ask around! - Tickets to a Fun Event
-ie: concert, play, dinner theater, etc
*If you choose to get someone tickets to an event, make sure you find out if they’re available that night.
- Favorite Things ♥
-I started making a list of things I’ve come to love in the past year. If I love it, I have a feeling other people will too and it could make a great gift!
For example, I bought a Pampered Chef tool that chops up ground beef like a pro and makes cooking so much easier. It’s a game changer! So for Christmas I ordered some for several women in my family. And guess what? They loved it too 🙂
MEN IN YOUR LIFE:
- Wood Docking Station
-My husband has this and we both really like it. It looks very nice and holds everything from his phone and wallet to watches, sunglasses, and keys. I got it from Palmetto Wood Shop. You can choose from a variety of colors.
- Whiskey, Beer, Favorite Liquor (21+ of course)
- Whiskey Accessories
ie: whiskey ice cube molds, whiskey glasses, or other accessories. I got my husband a death star ice cube mold because he’s a Star Wars nerd 😉
- Beard or Shaving Stuff
Beard- beard oil, lotion, beard kit, beard comb
No Beard- grooming kit, homemade or good quality shaving cream, shaving brush
- Travel Bag
-I purchased personalized travel bags for some of the guys in my family. They’re good quality and can hold all their bathroom products when traveling. This one is from Thirty-One and they call it the “24/7 Case”.
KIDS:
- Creative Gifts
ie: chalk, crafts, new art supplies, play dough (just not anything that creates too much of a mess or has a lot of small parts)
*mom and dad will love if you include an organizer with it too
- A Fun Outing
ie: movies, zoo, bowling, mini golf, etc. Kids tend to look back and remember experiences more than toys
*If you want them to still be able to open something, you could wrap a small item to represent your outing - Imaginative Play
ie: Dr. kit, tool kit, baking set, dress up clothes
- Stocking Stuffers
-For the kids I used to nanny I purchased a fun Christmas burlap bag and then filled it with small items I found at Michaels and Hobby Lobby. You could also check out the Target dollar section.
ie: putty, play dough, crafts, small toys, supplies, candy, books
DOGS:
- Dog water bottle
- Bark Box (these usually come with 2 toys, 2 treat bags, & a jerky stick)
- Car seat belt
- Blanket
- Poetry poo bags
Do you like to give things with a more personal touch? Sites like Etsy and Shutterfly are great for helping you with that!
HOMEMADE/PERSONAL GIFT IDEAS:
Adults:
- Handkerchiefs with their initials
- (Shutterfly) Picture magnets, blankets, mugs, photo books, personalized calendars
- (Etsy) Kitchen aid mixer decals, fun shirts, instant pot covers, pot holders
Kids:
- Personalized pencil cases, lunch boxes, backpacks, personalized crayons, aprons, jewelry
-I gave my nieces and nephew pencil cases with a fun picture of them on it and a fun design I knew they’d like. Then filled it with brand new colored pencils
I hope some of these ideas helped you check some people off your list!
A Little Handmade Charm 