Sometimes it’s difficult to find the perfect gift. Maybe the person you’re buying for already has everything they need. Or maybe they need a lot. You don’t have to break the bank to show you care. But if you have a big heart and an equally big wallet you can give a gift that can change a life. It doesn’t really matter, because it truly is the thought that counts. Don’t let the holiday season stress you out. Give from the heart and know that that’s enough.
Experiences to Share:
Sometimes the best gift is spending time with the person you care about and sharing an activity together.
- Attend a Play
- Movie Tickets
- Music Concert Tickets
- Dance Performance
- Attend a Sporting Event
- Attend a Fair or Carnival
- Flea Market
- The zoo
- Aquarium
- Museum Visit
- Bowling
- Ice Skating
- Roller Skating
- Amusement Park
- Miniature Golf
- Game Arcade
- Horseback Riding
- Sky Diving
- Hot Air Ballooning
- Rock climbing
- Hiking
- Camping
- Parachute Jumping
- Zip Lining
- Helicopter Ride
- Vintage Airplane Ride
- Take a River Cruise
- Go Boating
- Canoeing
Personal Services:
Don’t forget about the services your friend or relatives might love to use, but may not feel they can afford to give to themselves
- Home Organizing sessions
- Personal Shopper
- Photo Organizing Service
- Wardrobe Stylist
- Professional Photo for Business or Fun
- Housekeeping Services
- Convert photos, VHS, CDs, or 8mm Movies to Digital Format
- Visit to a Nutritionist
- DNA Testing
- Genealogy Service
- Day Spa Experience
- Makeup Artist for Special Occasion
- Massage Appointment
- Chiropractic Adjustment
- Manicure / Pedicure
- Facial
- Hair Stylist
- Etiquette Class
- Attend a Formal Tea
Classes for Mind and Body
In our crazy hectic lives, it’s easy to put our own health and well-being on the back burner. These gifts may open doors to a future hobby or activity.
- Jazzercise
- Zumba
- Ballroom Dance
- Ballet, Modern, or Jazz classes
- Tap dance lessons
- Belly Dancing
- Yoga class
- Meditation
- Personal Trainer
- Tai Kwon Do
- Judo
- Karate
- Mixed Martial Arts
- Sports Coach
- Self Defense
- Ice Skating
- Roller Skating
More Classes:
You can learn new skills, improve on them, and participate with other enthusiasts in almost any past time you enjoy. Consider giving the gift of learning to the one you love
- Cooking
- Wine tasting
- Drawing
- Painting
- Photography
- Film Making
- Voice lessons
- Musical Instrument Training
- Writing class
- Self-Publishing
- Any non-credit college courses for fun
- Chess lessons
- Craft Store classes
- Flower arranging
- Knitting
- Crochet
- Quilting
- Embroidery
- Jewelry Making
- Sewing
- Scrap Booking
Memberships:
Memberships are great gifts that keep on giving throughout the year.
- Art Museum
- Science Museum
- History Museum
- Parks and Recreation Center Membership
- Public Pool Pass
- Gym or Fitness Center
- Weight Loss Membership
- Golf Course
Gift of Transportation
Maybe you know someone who doesn’t drive, or lives in a city where mass transportation is the norm. Save them some of their hard-earned money and give them a ride.
- Uber, Lyft or cab ride for someone who can’t/doesn’t drive
- Transit pass for a week, month or year
- Offer a round trip ride to Dr. appointment, shopping trip, or outing
Elder Services:
For many elders on a fixed budget any one of these gifts can make a big difference in their well-being, health, and security. If you don’t have an elder family member or relative in your daily life, consider giving through a senior center or senior living community
- Home
- Bill Paying
- Home Companion care
- Housekeeping Services
- Cooking Meals (however many you want to)
- Pay for meal delivery from favorite restaurants
- Laundry Service
- Medication Reminders
- Rides to appointments and fun activities
- Hairdresser appointments
- Visits just to stay in Touch
- Manicures and Pedicures
- Take on an outing
- Purchase Personal Care items
- Regular Phone Calls
- Send Notes and Letters
- Safety Modifications
Professional Services:
Many people could use the help of a professional. If you have the means, one of these services would probably be appreciated.
- Legal Services for Writing a Will
- Financial Planner
- Pay for Tax Return Preparation
- Personal Bookkeeper / Bill Payor
- Working With an Estate Planner
- Accounting Services
- Appraisal of Art, Furniture, Jewelry or other Valuables
- Meeting with Interior Decorator
Services for Your Pets
We love our pets. Help a friend help their favorite animal with one of these gifts
- Dog Obedience training
- Pet Lodge / Doggy Day Out
- Pet Boarding
- Dog Grooming
- Offer to Pay for avisit to the Vet for Vaccines, Surgery, or Treatment for an Illness
- Pay for a year’s worth of pet Medications
- Donate to an Organization That Advocates for The Animal Your Gift Recipient Loves
Home Services:
These Services may not be sexy but who wouldn’t appreciate some help with the mundane and necessary tasks we love to hate?
- House Cleaning
- Organizer for Kitchen or Master Closet
- Packing or Unpacking Your Home
- Duct Cleaning
- Carpet Cleaning
- Handyman Services
- Painter
- Tree Trimming
- Stump Removal
- Install Security System
- Clean Gutters
- Pest Control
- Chimney Cleaning
- Fence Repair or Re-staining
- Junk Removal
- Landscaping
- Lawn Mowing
- Gardening
- Irrigation System Repair
- Pool Cleaning or Repair
- Electronics Repair
- Furniture Repair
- Furniture Upholstery
- Baby Proofing
- Art Framing
- Art Hanging
- Digitize photos
- Jewelry repair
- Polish Silver
- Dry Cleaning
- Feng Shui Consulting
Gift Cards:
When every other gift idea fails, there’s always cash! Gift cards allow our loved ones to buy the specific items they want or need. No more guesswork or returns.
- Cash
- Restaurants
- Clothing
- Music
- Makeup
- Toiletries
- Department store
- Home improvement store
- Sporting goods store
- Video game store
- Movie Theatre
- Arcade and amusements
- Hotel, resort, B&B
- Airline
- Cruise line
- Craft Store
- Electronics
- Restaurant Delivery
- Ride Service
- Maternity Store
- Baby Store
- Build a Bear store
- American Girl
Monthly Gift Subscriptions
Here are a few ideas for gifts that arrive 12 times a year. If you can imagine it, there’s probably a subscription for it. Just be careful that the item is something you can actually use up before the next one arrives.
- Magazines
- Fruit
- Wine
- Veggies
- Flower bulbs
- Snacks
- Beauty box
- Clothing
- Jewelry
- Coffee
- Tea
- Pet treats
- Meat
- Seafood
Donate to a Cause:
For the person who really does have everything, consider donating to an organization or cause that they care about. The sky’s the limit.
- A Disease Cure
- Human Rights
- Animal Welfare
- Politics
- The Arts
- Environmental Causes
- Disaster Recovery
- Housing
- Civil Rights
- Youth Services
- Women’s Issues
- Homelessness
I hope these suggestions help you think outside the “gift” box
