It’s the time of year when we are all trying to wrap up our shopping, and you may (like me) have a few gifts left to wrangle. I don’t love shopping at the last minute, because I want the gifts to feel thoughtful and thought-out, but sometimes it’s unavoidable due to shipping delays, sickness, or just general chaos around the holidays. Here are some great ideas for anyone left on your list that won’t make them secretly groan:
-A versatile bluetooth speaker: A bluetooth speaker is a truly great and practical idea for nearly anyone on your list. Although it may not be as useful for elderly family members or very young children, it will be a hit for teens through young adults, and can be very affordable. We also love the Crosley bluetooth speaker that looks like a miniature record player! If you have a little more budget, invest in a great Bose bluetooth speaker for superior sound and a gift that’s sure to be loved for many years to come.
-An experience gift: If you have people who are hard to buy for like grandparents or aunts and uncles, consider an experience gift like tickets to a movie, an ice cream date, or free babysitting for younger families. These type of gifts are often appreciated and can make a big impression for the people who are hard to buy for or who “don’t want anything”. You can even print up a cute certificate on Canva to wrap up or put under the tree.
-A small business surprise: There are many local artisans that create wonderful things and that can provide options for more generic gifts. I recommend buying a few non-perishable gifts as “backup” or teacher gifts or to store for another holiday. Some great ideas are: locally made ciders or wine for those over 21, beautiful goat milk soaps or beeswax candles, groceries from a farmer’s market (like cheese or pastries), or handmade towels or potholders. If you’re struggling to find these kind of artisan goods nearby, check out this link for farmer’s markets.
-Consumable gifts: One sure-fire hit is to do a consumable gift like snack foods or a “trip around the world” cooking basket. These are both affordable and fun, and they can be gifted to nearly anyone. For a snack basket, include fun snacks or favorite junk foods and add a movie or a board game. For a trip around the world basket, choose a type of food and include some ingredients for a new recipe of that type of food. One example would be to choose an asian-themed basket and include foods like Gojuchang, kimchi, and rice for them to cook. It makes for an unique gift and one that’s also perfect for someone with limited space for gadgets or storage since it’s consumable.
Although a gift card picked up at the nearest drugstore is always a safe bet, hopefully these more thoughtful ideas give you some inspiration as you finish up your shopping! Stay tuned for more holiday tips and ideas for you and your family.
