How to Give a Thoughtful Gift This Year
Updated by Timothy Paradis
The act of gift-giving always provides an opportunity to consider someone else’s wants and needs. Trying to understand what will excite or delight your friends and family is an act of empathy. Searching for the perfect gift actually teaches you how to be thoughtful and caring!
Science has shown that gifting is good not only for the receivers, but also the gift givers. When someone likes the gift that’s been selected for them and their excitement shines through, that’s reflected back on the giver, creating a positive feedback loop that brings joy and strengthens the bonds between people.
This holiday season provides us with a great gift-giving opportunity. Most of us have experienced loss and change, big and small, because of COVID-19 this year. The holidays are likely to look different than in years past, so now is the time to get intentional and thoughtful with our holiday and Christmas gift selections. Here's how.
Browse our holiday Gift Shop of editors' picks and gift guides for more thoughtful gift ideas!
Step Outside Yourself
Gift-giving is all about stepping outside yourself and seeing the world from the perspective of the gift recipient. It’s a great time to tap into your empathy and ask yourself questions about each of your loved ones' unique values, goals and dreams. Some people will be wowed by a special homemade gift, while others prefer cash -- and that's okay! Finding the perfect present has a lot to do with what makes them tick and what stage of life they're in.
If you don't have a feel for what someone likes, often their social media accounts can give you some clues and help you come up with some thoughtful gift ideas. Consider their pastimes and hobbies and find a gift that's related to their interests. Have a friend who organizes the party bus every St. Paddy's Day? A gift box like the Pub Shirt Club ensures that he has plenty of T-shirts to show off his Irish pride. Your sister's recently taken up sewing? IndieStitch can introduce her to fun, independent pattern designers through their monthly sewing project kits. No matter what type of person they are, there's a meaningful gift that's sure to be a hit.
A Taste of Normal
Instead of snooping to see what’s coming your way this holiday season, do a little detective work to uncover just what your family and friends are after this year. Since social distancing might be keeping you from in-person meetups, get on a video chat and start by asking what it is that they’re missing the most this year. Since we’re all missing something, you might be able to come up with different gift ideas that can give them a taste of normalcy.
For example, if they mention missing their monthly book group get-togethers, you could find a highly rated book that you think would pique their interest, pick up a couple of copies, and host a virtual book club with them, complete with cocktails and Zoom convos. They say they're longing to eat at their favorite Italian restaurant? Send a gift box like EatTiamo , a DIY Italian meal kit that can satisfy their cravings from the comfort of home. No matter what they’re missing, there’s always an opportunity to gift a fun replacement and let them know that you're thinking of them and want to see them smile!
Create New Traditions
Many families have Christmas Day rituals and traditions that might be off-limits this year. If heading to the cinema is your annual tradition, line up a double-header of classics that you can watch at home, and come prepared with buttery popcorn and drinks for everyone.
If you can't find a good replacement activity, consider giving a gift that can help you start a brand-new tradition, like The Adults & Crafts Crate . Perfect for crafty and hands-on families, prepare some hot cocoa or eggnog, then gather round and get making! Each box is an all-inclusive kit, so with minimal prep needed, there will be plenty of time to get creative and have fun. There’s a first time for everything, and you might just stumble upon something everyone really enjoys.
Give Up Expectations
Many of us go into gift-giving with the best of intentions, but we may harbor some expectations of how we want the gift to be received or have expectations of its future use. Much of this might stem from thinking something along the lines of, “Well, I really like it, which means they’ll really like it, too!” But, because we're all so different, that simply won't be the case. This is why regifting is the joke that it is!
To avoid this pitfall, give up those expectations, or better yet, remove yourself from the decision-making process and leave it all in the hands of the pros. A monthly box like the Standard Wine Club from He Wines, She Dines offers a unique opportunity to send a customized gift. Your family members or friends will clue the experts in on their likes and dislikes, before unboxing a selection of wines that have been handpicked just for them. And, what’s more? It’s all backed by a satisfaction guarantee. Ditch the expectations, sit back, and let them enjoy a delicious bottle of wine on you -- total win-win!
Never Underestimate Practicality
Practical gifts are almost always well-received because they have a clear utility. They tend to make people’s lives easier and better, so even if the gift isn't flashy and exciting, it holds a value that is immediately understood by the recipient.
Usable gifts can also be great for those on your list who you might not know as well as others, making them a good gift for neighbors, coworkers, teachers and employees. A practical (and beautiful) gift basket like The Appalachian Mercantile can bring an instant smile to anyone’s face. Filled with small-batch, made-in-America goodies, like jams, pickles, sauces and soaps, it’s a gift that has regular, everyday items that can’t be found in the big-box shops. That artisanal attention to detail gives it an instant upgrade and is sure to be appreciated and used.
Go Out On a Limb
If you’ve ticked off most of the boxes on your loved one’s wishlist, but you're still searching for a gift idea as an extra something special, that’s the perfect time to be a little adventurous with your selection. Here, you can really go for the fun factor, arranging an experience gift like heading to an outdoor ropes course or gifting the whole family a ride in a hot air balloon.
But, there’s no need to break the bank to have a little fun. Send a gift that is both surprising, fun and affordable like MATTER , a box that brings a mini collection of curiosities that the whole family can enjoy. Part museum and part laboratory, each box brings science goodies that are intriguing and cool. And, when purchased as a month-to-month subscription, it can be enjoyed throughout the whole year. Some of the best gifts end up being the least expected!
