Holiday Gift Giving Advice from Your Favorite Gift Shops
Tis the season to shower the people you love with, well, love. And gifts. In this hurried season it can be difficult to wrap your head around what to give someone. Even for me, someone who’s made a living on gift giving. I wanted to share some quick advice that I hope will make things easier for you.
Size doesn’t matter. Big things really do come in little packages. I’m not talking about diamonds, I’m talking about fudge. Every year, my friend Michele gives her people a small, and very delicious, bag of homemade fudge. It’s hand delivered in a sweet package with her beautiful handwriting. Always from the Fritz’s. I love this gift not only because it is yummy but she made it and she made it for me. It’s such a big connection in a delightful package. People just want to know that you thought of them, so it doesn’t have to be lavish. Though lavish never hurt anyone. Wink. Wink.
Gift in odd numbers with small, medium and large in mind. This one is weird and may just be me, but in design things are displayed in odd numbers. There’s something about the unevenness that feels very right. If I’m giving a gift, I like to build a little something that has three things in it – something small, medium, and large. Like a tower of gifts, but not an actual tower. For instance, for the chef or for a housewarming, I would give a cookbook, dishtowel, and one small kitchen tool. For a teacher, maybe a fun notepad, colorful pen, and a sweet treat. A good friend might get great smelling goodies that can be used together or apart like a candle, bath bomb, and bar of soap. See the pattern…?
Use a theme as your guide. What is something that you and your person have connected over this year? What is something you know they enjoy? Think about that and create a theme. They religiously do the crossword puzzle everyday? Start with a set of Blackwing pencils (or a fancy pen if they are as good as my mom was!), then consider a puzzle book for extra practice, and possibly a crossword puzzle ornament. Any one of these would be thoughtful, but put together and you win at gift giving!
Consumables are always a great choice. When in doubt give something they can eat or use and then be done with it. A few examples are pure maple syrup and a specialty pancake mix for Christmas morning, a gorgeous bottle of olive oil (can be used whether they cook or not!), or a candle in a seasonal scent made even better by adding a pack of matches. Your thoughtfulness is the same and their commitment level is reduced. It’s a win/win!
Experiences are great gifts, but add a little something tangible. How do you give a cruise? Or tickets to a musical? A piece of paper in a box or gift bag works (I’ve done it!), but why not elevate it just a bit by adding something they might need to make the experience extra special. A travel journal or passport ornament for a trip. Broadway Trivia to pair with tickets. Or perhaps wool hiking socks for trekking through the national parks. Just a little nod can turn something great into something even more meaningful.
Celebrate their inner child. The holidays are about joy and wonder, but children aren’t the only ones who can participate and toys aren’t just for children. For the creative who loves design, beautiful blocks become a million different art installations. For the engineer who loves to create, Plus Plus pieces can take multiple forms and origami paper airplanes makes aeronautics fun. And for the gamer that wants more connections IRL, board games for the family are always a great idea. Use your imagination to spark theirs!
Presentation matters. Even the most humble gift can be made extra special by the packaging. When possible, I prioritize giving a gift someone can unwrap. There’s just something ridiculously joyful about ripping into paper. Don’t overlook a good gift bag though. Those can be just as fun when tucked with tons of colorful tissue. If you have time and the inclination, then try Japanese Furoshiki style wrapping. But, if you don’t then a simple piece of ribbon can do wonders!
Above all, the best advice I can give you is to make this about them. You may not have similar taste or preferences, but you aren’t getting the gift. It’s about what they enjoy. When you give them something that is truly deeply about them, that’s when they feel your love and gratitude. Have fun shopping and thank you, as always, for supporting your local small businesses!!
PS: Don’t forget the card!
