The holiday season, while certainly a wonderful time of the year, can also bring with it a lot of stress. For many, the most difficult aspect can be determining what to buy for each family member.
Unfortunately, I often end up buying the same things repeatedly. I have given my Dad a Barnes & Noble gift card each Christmas for the past 5 years, and I’ve gifted my Father-In-Law with enough coffee to open his own java stand.
This year, instead of giving everyone the old standbys, present them with a sentimental, personalized gift that no one else could give. I have compiled a list of 10 unique gifts, tailored for the person who has everything and says that there is “nothing” that he or she wants.
1. Compose a Themed Gift Basket
If you have a family member who is a movie buff, make a movie night basket that includes a DVD or two, gourmet popcorn, and candy. Then pick a night to have a movie night together.
Perhaps someone you know loves Italian food. Why not put together a basket of ingredients for a fancy Italian dinner? Or you could create a home spa kit. The idea here is to use the themed basket as a springboard for a fun afternoon or evening together.
2. Craft Something
One of my mom’s all-time favorite gifts was a picture frame I painted that had her grandson’s footprint on it. When you make something special for someone, it has sentimental value, which is priceless. If you need ideas, go to a DIY pottery painting studio, or any other type of art studio. You could also try simple sewing or jewelry-making projects, or put together photo craft gifts.
3. Give the Gift of Photos
Purchasing a photo session is an excellent idea, especially for grandparents, so that they may have professional photos taken with their grandkids. Not only will they have beautiful pictures, they will also have fond memories of the day of the photo shoot.
4. Plan a Trip or Activity
If you usually give your spouse “stuff,” this is a great “no stuff” kind of gift that won’t add clutter. If you have never planned anything before for your spouse, it will be a great surprise!
Plan a camping or hiking trip, or a romantic weekend getaway. If you want to include the whole family, why not plan something simple like an afternoon of bowling or miniature golf?
5. Give Games or Puzzles
A game or a puzzle is a gift that is also a fun activity for the whole family. Get a game that is new on the market to ensure that no one has it already. Puzzles are usually inexpensive, and you can even get them at a local dollar store. Then start a family game night, a terrific, frugal way to spend time together.
6. Purchase a Gift-of-the-Month Club Membership
Chocolate, wine, t-shirts, movies – you name it, there is a monthly gift club for it. This is a particularly exciting gift because it keeps on giving all year round. My husband loves ice cream, so perhaps I will get him a membership to an ice cream-of-the-month club.
A magazine subscription is another excellent gift that lasts the whole year. I once received a subscription to a cooking magazine, and it was something that I looked forward to each month.
7. Help Your Loved Ones Save Money
Gifts that help save money, such as an energy monitor, are also great because they are generally eco-friendly gifts. Give something that will enlarge your relative’s bank account and shrink their carbon footprint! Another idea, especially for younger children learning about personal finance, is to take part in one of the best bank account promotions and get a bonus for setting up a new checking or savings account.
8. Give the Gift of a Membership
If you know someone who has everything due to the fact that they frequently shop on Amazon, consider purchasing for them a membership to Amazon Prime. An Amazon Prime membership gets you free 2-day shipping and next-day shipping for $3.99 on any purchase. Other ideas for membership card gifts include AAA, museums, and warehouse clubs.
9. Buy the Latest Gadgets
If you are willing to spend a little extra on the person who has everything, hook them up with the latest electronic gizmo. There are great new Apple products available, including the Apple iPad and the iPhone. If those are out of your price range, consider a refurbished Apple product, or a gift card for apps or iTunes.
10. Pick up Some Lottery Tickets
If all else fails, get them lottery tickets. I do not advocate gambling, but buying someone $10 worth of scratch-offs is worth a 5-minute thrill. And if they do end up winning the lottery, then you could be buying them early retirement!
Final Thoughts
It can be daunting to come up with the perfect present for everyone on your holiday shopping list. If you have family members or friends who have “everything” and can’t provide you with any gift ideas, this makes the job even more difficult. And who wants to keep giving – or receiving – the same gift year after year?
Fortunately, giving your loved ones great gifts can be quite simple. Create or assemble a special, personalized gift, or purchase something that will provide long-lasting memories. Sentimentality can go a long way during the holidays!
Do you have any holiday gift ideas for the person who has everything?
Casey Slide writes in the lifestyle and money management categories for Money Crashers, a leading personal finance blog and resource online.
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