Gifting isn’t easy and if you struggle with what to give someone, we hope this post will point you in a direction that inspires you. After all, some thought coupled with inspiration may result in something really terrific at that next get-together or make you a birthday super hero this year!
Wedding Gifting Made Easy!
If you can’t afford something from the registry or just waited too long to grab that special gift, just get personal. Print off that great photo from the concert and grab an awesome frame!
Really, a simple and personal gift can mean a lot to a new couple just getting started. If you don’t have a group photo or a cute one of the couple, consider their favorite artists, quotes that are unique to your circles and the happy couple, maybe even a donated photo shoot for upcoming holidays. Knowing their style is helpful though.
Other gifts can include their favorite wine or a basket of the ingredients for their favorite mixed drinks. Margaritas are favorite in our neck of the woods but maybe it’s a Mai Tai box or something exotic.
Heading off to a great party? Not sure what to bring? You know, the host says “just bring yourself” and there you are … stumped! That is totally okay, maybe they are overwhelmed with their own details and don’t know themselves.
Why don’t we give them a break? After all, they are going to a lot of trouble to feed everyone and make sure the decor is great.
So what should you do? You’ve got to bring something and you’re not great with presents. Holiday events or work gatherings are tricky as an example. You may or may not know the host really well or maybe even not all, especially if you are the plus one. Don’t worry, it’s relatively easy.
So here’s the scoop, grab that wine but make sure you also grab a great wine bag too. Wrapping a gift beautifully, even if it is somewhat generic gift , leaves a positive impression. Succulents and plants generally are a good option. Just remember not to pick something difficult to maintain. Flowers are always a terrific option. Take them out of that store plastic though! You don’t have to go crazy with an expensive vase or anything. Simple, brown paper with a gorgeous bow is as classy as it is pretty.
Those backyard gatherings all summer long usually are as simple as great salsa or craft beer. Occasionally, though, you’d like to step it up for one reason or another, maybe meeting your date’s parents for example? Yep, no pressure there!
Perhaps find a great yard dice game (in addition to the flowers for mom, never leave those out!). Barbecuing is incredibly fun and usually involves family recipes so a great set of grilling tools might work out great!
Housewarming Gifting Is By Far The Easiest Gift To Purchase
Housewarming gifts are the absolute easiest gifts to wow friends and family. Truly, you were invited to help “decorate” their new space or celebrate their new digs in any way you want. It’s all about plants, pictures, celebratory drinks and just hang out gifts like a gorgeous warm blanket or games for the backyard. Even treats like a special dessert will be appreciated in this setting. Even just flowers for the day is appropriate!
Truly, there are no limits and almost anything you purchase will work. Include a receipt in case they want to change out a couch throw for another color or frame for another size.
One thing I would suggest is to ask questions about the new house, condo or apartment. Obviously, this person put in a lot of effort into their new place and even wanted to host a get-together. It’s just common sense to show sincere interest and support. I can’t tell you how often I have seen someone ask if the dishwasher works versus compliment a new chair. Parents or family are usually guilty of this. Yes, it is out of concern and interest but pick another time to ask if they need help with a fix.
Simple Holiday Gifting
The holidays are usually a time to gather with friends, family, and co-workers. It is certainly a time of change so if there is a gathering, please be respectful of any restrictions that may be in place. It’s awkward and uncomfortable for everyone so make it easy on your hosts.
The holidays are busy and can tend to be frantic for everyone. One idea that has always been a hit is to bring treats to a gathering. Yes, not unique but I make the extra effort to include a pretty dish or dessert stand with ribbon or a bow which takes it to another level.
Also, most holiday gatherings are stressful under the best of circumstances so if you bring treats that are already displayed beautifully, the host will definitely appreciate the extra effort. Make sure they know the dishes are part of the gift so they don’t stress about returning a dish.
For even more holiday ideas, we included a list of ideas centered around California in a previous post, The Christmas Shopping Guide For California Lovers. The guide help inspire an idea for that very special person that adores California.
Birthday Gifts Are An Opportunity For Fun
Think of birthday gifting as an opportunity! The ability to have a little fun and be more creative than usual with close friends on their birthday brings everyone a little closer. The humor of that really horrendously inappropriate card game of the year is the ideal opportunity to have fun and relax. Beyond the goofy card game is that cheesy giant wine glass or silly t-shirt that just screams that special human’s personality. It’s about being very specific on a birthday.
For people that you are especially close to, definitely give the gift some thought. If they are having a tough year, an invitation to their favorite restaurant to have some quiet time with them, would be incredibly thoughtful.
Have someone in your life that loves the beach, hiking, crocheting or knitting? Sometimes it is easy to create a basket with the essentials focused around a specific theme. For example, a basket loaded with chapstick, nutrition bars, a water flask and a book of the best hikes in their area or a future trip planned is fun to do and is hyper-personalized. This is one of those gifts that screams I’m thinking of you!
Simple Gifts Plus A Basket Equal A Gifting Homerun!
Gifting In Unique Ways For A Baby Shower
You may be wondering why include ideas for a baby shower in this list at all. Don’t new parents-to-be register for everything they need for the little one? Yes, true but sometimes going that extra step is incredibly important, right? Maybe it’s your own sister and the first new addition in the family in nearly twenty years. Worth stepping up for right?
In our case, we opted to wait until the showers were over and all the gifts were unwrapped. Why? We wanted to get the one thing no one bought that the happy couple that they really, really wanted or needed that still hadn’t made an appearance. In our case, a particular quilt for the crib was shipped a few days after all the celebrations.
Another example may be that a new addition is coming to the family much sooner than expected along with all the challenges a premie entails. So what happens in that instance? Perhaps gift cards to their favorite restaurants and take-out spots might be much more helpful. Perhaps playing housekeeper for a few weeks until everyone can get back on their feet could fit the bill. Whatever the case, just make sure to personalize a card, small box or basket with your intentions so it is received in the way in which it was intended.
Grad Gifting
Yes, every single grad whether high school or university wants cash. Understood! They are either broke or about to start paying big tuition to move on to the next level. Either way, a check is going to be immensely helpful. Why not give it a little more meaning, though?
Including a little about your struggles and eventual success could add meaning they will appreciate. Including a photo of the two of you at the beginning with a note about how far you all have come could end up being framed later. The idea is that personalization of a gift is what matters. I still have personal messages and photographs in a keepsake box but that check has long since disappeared.
If you’d like to avoid that check and opt for an actual gift, I’ll let you know my daughter’s absolute favorite gift she received. Surprise, but it was a mouse ears graduation cap. I told grandma, she wouldn’t appreciate the expense but thankfully, she didn’t listen! It was by far, the one thing my daughter did not expect and still shows her friends any chance she gets. Now, specialty grad caps aren’t always available but if there is something a young person is really into, just go for it! You can be serious later.
A Few Thoughts On Gifts
Gifting is a lot like exercising! If you put in a little effort on a regular basis, it gets easier and you may even start to enjoy the process. After all, when someone smiles because of something you did, isn’t that a gift in and of itself? For me, it used to be quite a serious undertaking whether it was holidays or some other event. Once I learned to have fun and get to know what the recipient might actually appreciate, it became much easier. It truly is about your intentions and not the value of anything you may purchase.
Your blog is really very informative and useful. I was searching for a gift to give to my friend who recently graduated and liked your suggestion of giving meaning to a present. It makes the present look more special.