How do you give someone an unforgettable gift? We all have that one person on our list who seems impossible to buy for, but you want to give them something memorable and hopefully even useful. Many people think this is easier said than done, but there are actually several things you can do to make your gift really count. We’ll outline several ways that you can try at your next gift-giving event.
Connect to Hobbies
Connect your next gift to the recipient’s hobbies. If they love their job and going to work, get a gift related to their job.
Maybe they’re a classic film buff, hunting enthusiast, season-pass holder for local games, or they love to crochet. Find a funny t-shirt, a glossy coffee book related to their line of work, or an accessory they can use with their hobby. They’ll think if you every time they pull it out.
Evoke a Fond Memory
Bring back a fun shared memory with your gift recipient. If it’s for your significant other, it could be something more high-end, like a trip back to a special place you stayed when your relationship was new. For long-time friends, maybe it’s a shared guilty pleasure from when you were younger, like a favorite food, restaurant, dessert, trip, or movie theater. You could even get a group of friends in on it if they shared in the experience.
Customize It
There are dozens of things you can customize via embroidery, engraving, or embossing. You can customize aprons, bibles, whiskey barrels, shirts, bookmarks and even bottle openers. You can even get a nice photo of your giftee and have it printed onto your present just like these crystal sets from ArtPix3D.
Just make sure that whatever you decide on fits the recipient’s personality or interests so that if they’re the type of things to be used, they will be used frequently. And, if they’re the ornamental type, then your gift would be proudly displayed prominently in the den or living room and become a conversation piece for visiting friends and family.
Gift Experiences
A traditional gift is one thing, but gifting someone an experience is a great way to form a solid connection. It also gives you something to remember and talk about for years to come. Maybe it’s concert tickets to a favorite band, a reservation at a hard-to-book restaurant, or a zoo pass for a year. Think about what your recipient likes and find an experience to match. This is even better if you don’t know the person super well because there is a good chance that they’ll be satisfied with whatever you give them.
Donate to a Cause They Support in Their Name
Did you know that giving gifts to a charity in your friend’s name has links to happiness? You could wait and gift in your friend or family member’s name around the holidays to someone in need. If they have a charity they support, make a donation, and put your friend’s name on it. Many times, the charities will send a short thank you note that you can give to your gift recipient.
Put Together a Gift Basket
Putting together a well-thought-out gift basket is a hybrid of giving a traditional gift and an experience. You want to create a collection of things the person likes to give them an experience. Say you have a music enthusiast in your life. Instead of going with a CD or vinyl as many traditionally would, go digital. Get a basket and some wine glasses. Add their favorite bottle of wine, earbuds, a Symphony chocolate bar, and other fun items like a soft throw blanket or scented candles. You could also toss in a Spotify or iTunes gift card.
DIY It
Food items count as DIY gifts. Everyone loves getting festive baked items, a mouth-watering dessert, or a home-cooked meal. There are literally millions of tutorials on YouTube and around the internet for DIY wall decor, t-shirts, coasters, candles, bath bombs, lotions, scrubs, beard oil, succulent planters, and more. Get creative and give an unforgettable gift that is personalized and practical.
Gift Time
This one may seem odd, but it can come in handy with close friends. Offer to walk the dog if your recipient is a pet owner or pet sit. Read to your grandparents or offer to babysit your friend’s kid(s) so they can take a night out and relax. You could make them coupons and slip it into a card to give to them. They can redeem it whenever they want. You could even add a few certificates if you have time on your hands.
Fill the Gift with Memories
You can easily take great memories and turn it into a gorgeous gift. If they like crossword puzzles, make a few customized ones with memory-related answers. You could put together a well-curated photo album, or you could make a jar of memorabilia you’ve slowly collected over the years. As long as you make it meaningful, your recipient will cherish it for years to come.
Take Time to Present It
There are dozens of channels on YouTube dedicated to watching people unwrap things. Wrapping things and creating a lovely presentation makes the gift so much more thoughtful than it would be if you tossed it into a gift bag with a few pieces of tissue paper. It shows the person that you really care about their gift and them.
Gift Your Skills
There are at least one or two things you’re good at. Maybe you create graphics, sew, crochet, write, or paint. Maybe your skills lean more toward things like car detailing, baking, cooking, or translating. Whatever your skills are, you can turn them into a thoughtful gift. Offer to bake or cook something. If you’re fluent in another language, offer lessons.
Bottom Line
These unforgettable gift ideas are perfect for that person you have trouble gifting in your life. Try one or try a few and see the reaction you get. The recipient will love it, and you’ll get the knowledge that you’ve finally nailed down exactly how to gift them with something they will treasure for years to come.