It isn't always easy to come up with the perfect gift for everyone on your list, and just buying some random thing that you think they might like doesn't always sit well or feel very personal. If you find yourself in this predicament, we have a few alternative suggestions that just might turn your gift giving around this year.
This gift guide strays from the traditional store-bought gifts and is based on experiences, thoughtful actions, and time as gifts. First off, you have to jot down some notes and ideas about the person you are gifting. What do they love to do? What kind of things could they use help with? How could you make their life easier? What would be a memory you could make that they wouldn't forget?
Next, start pairing those answers with some creative ideas that you could provide as a gift. Get a cute card and write down your gift, or make a coupon book.
Here are some examples:
A Night Out: Do they love to go to plays or operas or comedy shows or dance programs but never give themselves any time to do so? Set up an evening for them where you take them to the desired event. Even go so far as to set up the babysitting if need be.
Speaking of Babysitting: Can you give them five to ten free babysitting evenings for the year? Or maybe three hours a day for a week. That could be gold for a busy parent.
Your Time: This can be one of the most valuable gifts you can give. Would the person just love to have more time with you? Pre-set up little dates with them as your gift. A night out for dinner. Going to the movies. A Happy Hour afternoon. I know a lot of parents that would treasure something like this.
A Thoughtful Chore: Is there something that you know your person needs to get done that they just can't seem to get around to, but is always weighing them down? Gift them the help to finally tackle it, or make it a surprise and just do it for them. One year my husband and I took all of my mother-in-law's old photographs that were stuffed in garbage bags and organized them into individual albums.
Pamper Them: What kind of things do they love the most? What do they do to get their minds off everything and just relax? Is it going to the spa? Or a sports game? Do they like to be by themselves or with company? Find out and set it up for them.
Use Your Skills: Can you use your skills to help them out? Can you take their family photo? Can you help re-decorate a room? Can you help re-organize a closet?
Now, put down the gift cards, get thinking and start creating memorable experiences for the people in your life.
(Image: Shutterstock)
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I do these year round but it's a wonderful reminder to those who are at a pinch when in comes to gift giving. Also, I enjoy anything home made..food, crafts, cards...those mean the most to me but the very bestest...I agree, it's time with someone I care for.
I was at a loss for what to get for my brother-in-law and his wife, and for my best friend and her fiancee, but finally decided to get them both gift certificates to nice restaurants that I know they like. I think they'll appreciate it! Unless I can think of a really thoughtful gift that I'm certain the person will like, I hesitate to buy a random item that will just end up as clutter.
These are all great ideas!
Anything handmade - socks, cookies, tomato sauce, jelly, jam, a set of note cards, a blanket, napkins, pillows, a photo book of time spent together - these are all gifts I have given or received that were especially meaningful. A friend of mine used to get a sweater from her MIL ever year for Christmas and loved it.
If you have kids, get them involved. My favorite gifts are handmade things by kids - if you have the time, have your kids help you with a batch of cookies and then have them design labels/cards to go with the cookies.
Five to ten evenings of babysitting is a pretty fabulous gift, but any parent I know would love just one night of babysitting. Depending on the age of the kids, this could be really easy- just come over before bedtime, read them a story, tuck them in, and spend the rest of the evening watching tv or surfing the internet. It would mean a lot to parents!
Super post. I am so into giving "experiential" gifts rather than "stuff".
I really don't care to receive bric-a-brac or clutter. Most people who give me "things" pick stuff I'd never want to display or use. If you want to give me something, I really do appreciate it. But if you asked me, I'd say I'd like to spend time with you. Take me out for a meal (cheap is fine!) or ask me over for a meal. That would be my very, very favorite thing!
Cheers!
Super post. I am so into giving "experiential" gifts rather than "stuff".
I really don't care to receive bric-a-brac or clutter. Most people who give me "things" pick stuff I'd never want to display or use. If you want to give me something, I really do appreciate it. But if you asked me, I'd say I'd like to spend time with you. Take me out for a meal (cheap is fine!) or ask me over for a meal. That would be my very, very favorite thing!
Cheers!
Each year, I make my stepmother ravioli. She loves homemade pasta but isn't a great cook. She loves being able to grab several out of the freezer, toss them in some water to cook, and have a "homemade" meal a few nights.
Personally, I think this is the ONLY way to gift! (Thoughtful, carefully chosen, personalized gifts that people -- hopefully -- will really love.) If you can't do that, maybe that person shouldn't get a gift at all...
I have given tickets to concerts, Blue Man Group, and other events. I give hobby-related gifts (that are store-bought but certainly thought out.) I give handmade special gifts customized for the person's interests and taste. I give things (like Blu-rays) that the recipeint was planning to get anyhow (so those are seldom a surprise.) I scour the internet and shops for specialty items they won't ever think exist, but that I believe they will like. Sometimes if I set a mental budget and run out of ideas, I will give a gift card -- but only for someplace like Amazon.com where I know they shop regularly, and then I suggest how *I* envisioned them using it: books for your new Kindle Paperwhite, maybe. (Of course, they can use it as they please, but if I offer an idea or two, it indicates it was a purposeful gift, not just a desperate last-minute option.)
I always think the REAL gift is always the thought and care you spend on the gifting -- so re-gifting and buying random junk on sale is really for the people you DON'T think or care much about. Just my opinion...
I really love the idea of these thoughtful gifts, but I somehow find that it also can be a source of stress since it's a task to come. My boyfriend has wonderful ideas and no time so when he doesn't have time when I need him, it's quite bad. Make sure you are available before offering this kind of gift.Helping for the holidays tough will never be out of style!
Re: babysitting. Yes, please! We have a 10 month old at home and no local grandparents/family. Between working during the week and catching up on "life stuff" on the weekends, we have no "date" time. We adore our son and love to spend every waking minute with him, but we would love to go out to a movie on a Saturday night after he's in bed (6:30!)...without paying $$$ for the babysitter. Three hours of babysitting our little one, without even having to put him to bed, would be fantastic. Heck, we'll even make you baked goods as a thank you.
I love the idea of someone offering us babysitting...but (and this is why I'm glad these posts are anonymous) I trust some friends with my kids more than others--even people I love dearly (like, um, my mom)...in order to avoid putting parents in an extremely awkward situation, I would suggest offering a choice: one night of babysitting or one afternoon of weeding your garden/making dinner/giving a ride to the airport/whatever.