With everyone spending time apart for the last two holiday seasons, you might face a hard time figuring out what to give that special someone. I normally depend on non-verbal cues or hints that get tossed at family gatherings, but this year calls for a little more creativity. With most adults owning everything out there, finding the right gift gets harder over time. Nonetheless, I have curated a list of some of the most memorable gifts I have sent/received over the past decade, so you can go through the holidays stress free.
The thing about gifting experiences is that it is way more viable and likely to succeed since it doesn’t end up somewhere on the top shelf after a few months, unlike physical gifts. You will remember it for years, just like I have cherished my cruise experience on New Year’s Eve in Sydney, when I was visiting a friend in 2015. It was something out of a movie - I was feeling the ‘main character’ vibes throughout the cruise, particularly when the iconic fireworks had fired off from different parts of the harbour. I couldn't have asked for more for a holiday gift. It was the perfect way to end a year, especially in a city like Sydney. The food, the drinks, the hospitality and of course, the views - everything was incomparable. These New Year Cruises are the ideal gift to give to a group like families or friends.
A book
Reading made its well-needed resurgence during the pandemic, with most of us spending more than enough time indoors. My girlfriend gets asked for book recommendations every now and then, so we built a mini-library, lending books to friends and family on the regular. That’s when I realised why not make a copy of our favourite books and give it to someone for this holiday. It is not much but it will be more personalised and thoughtful than the typical materialistic gubbins. Books are great because if you're feeling low, they will suck you into their world and force you to pretend to be a character. Our favourite bookworms are in for a treat this year!
Bottle of red
It doesn't always have to be huge and flashy, sometimes a bottle of wine is all you need to impress your loved one. I always look forward to wine with friends, the hangover, not so much. Great wines don't have to be expensive. My uncle got me this earthy wine for Christmas in ‘16, from a dry farm in South Louisiana and trust me when I tell you this, I can still taste it in my mouth. Organically produced, it was practically sugar-free and free of any additives which are used in most wines, so there was no hangover the next morning. Simple and sweet is the way to go for this Christmas, so keep a bottle on-hand incase you must make a quick porch drop-off.
Family photos
Getting your own family something for the holidays might be more tricky than you think. You have the dad who pretty much sulks on everything, the mother who’d say she “likes it” even if you give her a bag of dirt, and the siblings who will fight over who got the better gift. We all miss our family as we grow apart from them. If you're looking for ways to stay connected, a family gift photo would do the job. It can go a long, long way and is sure to stir up and bring out an emotion or two from your close ones. Make their holiday special with this one!
