 |
| Image from Google |
Gift of Memories:
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. Whether its via cruise, a flight, train ride, take your pick. It doesn't have to be a vacation that breaks your wallet. Plan something that you can manage that enables your gift recipient
to explore new worlds/cultures, cuisine, and new activities that will leave them with lasting impressions and everlasting smiles. 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 own city/state! Sometimes we take for granted where we live and don't explore enough right in our own backyard.
Gift of Entertainment:
If
there’s someone in your life that has a favorite band, singer, or loves
Broadway shows, then giving the gift of concerts, plays or the opera would be your best bet! These days there’s all kinds of VIP access to
certain concerts which would add as an additional bonus! You can enable this
person to finally get to see their favorite artist or add to the amount of times
they’ve already attended the artist’s venue.
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 particular sport.
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.
Gift of Photos:
Every
year, I go on Shutterfly.com and create holiday cards, calendars, photo books, pillows and blankets with pictures transferred onto them, design special frames, and so much more detailed home décor items. Every year I also make a calendar for my husband
and I usually theme it to whatever our last vacation was. He expects this gift every year! I remember one year I didn't make him one and he was so disappointed -- that's how much he loves it! You can also design
jewelry with pictures as well and ornaments for someone's Christmas tree on Shutterfly. I actually designed as well jewelry with images of my grandparents who have passed away—as a gift to myself to always have them close to my
heart.
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 Michaels, 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 for 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.
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.
Gift of Painting:
If you're like me and love to paint, you'll love going to either Pinot's Palette or Paint & Sip or any painting place near you. There's Pinot's Palettes where I live and its an incredible place to paint at any skill level and drink wine, soda, juice etc and listen to music. Perhaps you might want to gift someone who also likes to paint and make it a group effort! The more the merrier!
Gift of Well Being:
Who isn't stressed these days
and needs to recharge! If you know someone who is very conscious of their
health or needs a positive shift for their well-being, 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, aroma therapy, exercise
equipment, etc. Presents like these
would very much help center and balance someone to living a more healthier
lifestyle -- mentally, physically and emotionally.
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 cook book using supplies at a craft store or
going on Shutterfly.com and creating a special cook book 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 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, cook in a more
gluten free or vegan approach.
Gift
certificates toward a favorite restaurant or surprise restaurant
reservation that is usually hard to arrange are cool options. My husband's Aunt every year
gets us different restaurant gift certificates in Staten Island and we look
forward to it every time because we get to explore places we didn't know were in our area..
Perhaps you can surprise your loved one by
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 winery or even Tuscany, Italy!
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 reading and add it to their library.
You can also purchase beautifully themed bookends or book shelves or
even build a book shelf for someone.
Surprising someone with a trip to their local library for their favorite
author book signing, or historic libraries are other possibilities.
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.
Always remember, during this time of year, try not to stress. Try not to think spending so much money on one person is the answer to a great gift. I know it may seem easier said that done, but when you think about it --- no matter what you decide to gift someone, as long as its from the heart, and there's positive intentions behind your purchase, you can't go wrong. Those special someones will be honored that they were thought of and will feel appreciative of the time you put aside in showing how much they matter in your life.
Happy shopping and have a wonderful, loving and safe holiday season!
Guidance, Inspiration & Comfort always,
Andrea R. Freeman
No comments:
Post a Comment