Thoughtful, easy gifting in a tough year
- Aurelia Brogan
- Dec 10, 2020
- 8 min read
Updated: May 6, 2024
GIVE THE GIFT OF KINDNESS
Hello! What a year it has been, and somehow here we are nearing the end of it, trying to make sense of all that has happened. We are doing well, but like many of you feeling a mixture of grief, loss, stress, gratitude and the need for some normalcy this holiday season. Maybe you don’t feel celebrating or can’t travel for the holidays, but you can still give thoughtful little gifts to bring cheer to others near and far. Assembling a gift basket for friend or relative nearby, someone who provides a service for you, or an elderly neighbor lets them know you care and that can mean a lot–especially this year. You don’t have to spend a lot of money or run all over town to wish someone happy holidays. We are all missing connection and you can help by giving that most important gift of connection – even if it is just in the form of a handwritten note or a drive by cookie drop off. And the best part is that gift giving makes you feel good too. Giving does not have to leave you feeling more depleted– it can be simple and special. It can even come after Christmas when people might feel even more isolated or lonely and need it most. More than ever it really is the thought that counts!
Maybe next year…
We are again sharing this holiday just us 4 in our household, and I will miss gifting in person so much this year. It’s not just the gifting that I love, but it’s the reaction to the gift when I am lucky to have found that right thing for someone. Sometimes it can be stressful finding the perfect gift, but this year there is enough to worry about. Gifting around a theme helps me organize my ideas and takes the stress off finding a “perfect” present. With in-store shopping limited this year, you may have to order many of the elements online, even using Instacart or other delivery services. Or support local artists and neighborhood businesses in your area or online. With just a few thoughtful items and a few clicks you could make someone’s day or give them a little lift. This is not the year for returning, so just go with the flow. I hate to call it an Instacart Holiday, but if you have the service, why not use it? With so many stores offering delivery and hands free pick up, the options are great, but you do what makes sense for you. With Instacart, I have access to so many stores like Bed, Bath & Beyond, Aldi, Albertsons, Bevmo, Petco and Sprouts to name a few. If you have time to get things shipped before giving that’s great, but you don’t need to stress—giving something you made is just as nice. Remember if you are giving food, you might text the person ahead to let them know it’s coming. Here’s some themed ideas for your 2020 gifting:
MISSING TRAVEL THEME: If you are sending love from afar and you really have no idea what to get the person, think of all the things they may have missed this year. Were they planning the trip of a lifetime to New York City with their best friends to see Hamilton and all the sights? Were they supposed to take a trip to Paris? Fill a little basket with an Eifel tower ornament, a map of Paris, a great novel set in France, and some delicious French macarons (homemade or storebought) Top it off with a bottle of bubbly! This fun candle is great too for anyone feeling homesick and can’t travel …https://homesick.com/products/new-york-city-candle.
ARTSY: For the friend who appreciates art or is an artist, shop on Society 6 or Etsy. There are so many fun art-related items to choose from. It doesn’t have to be expensive and you don’t have to be intimidated if you are not an artist-just get creative. A small print or some pretty note cards would be very thoughtful. Add a bottle of wine with a funky label and you have a very nice gift. You can wrap these all together in a furoshiki wrap for a long lasting gift that keeps on giving. Or make your own furoshiki with a tea towel and a fabric marker. Your friend will appreciate the creative effort no matter what you come up with.
STAR GAZER: For a someone who loves all things astrology and feeds off good vibes, how about some beautifully designed Tarot cards? To go along with the theme, add a few good energy crystals or a mini art print with their zodiac sign. All the sage in the world won’t help clear the 2020 energy much, but settle for a sage candle and CBD Bath bomb. Make some delicious star cut out cookies to go along with the theme.
GET COZY: A “cozy” themed gift idea would be perfect to give this year. A tin of home-baked cookies, a pretty deck of cards, a 2020 best selling book and a cozy blanket—all together make you want to snuggle in and take a break from it all. You could also add some cocoa and homemade marshmallows too. Cocoa mix is easy to make with cocoa and sugar, and makes a cute gift on it’s own in a pretty jar layered with mini marshmallows and chocolate chips, but buying these Trader Joes powdered cocoa sticks is much easier. And the Teaspressa cocoa kit takes it up to a more adult level, if that’s what you are going for.
HAVE A GOOD DAY: With a few pieces of fresh fruit, and a home-baked bread you are good to go for a quick gift. Add some calming loose tea or tea bags, a cute tea infuser, and some honey and you have a really thoughtful, complete package, all with things easily found at your local stores or can be found on Instacart. Or another way to approach it is get some pumpkin bread mix and maybe some granola from Trader Joes if you don’t have time to bake, and wrap those up. If you want to step it up with a personal touch, wrap your items in a large flour sack towel and embroider their initial on it. Alternatively, package these items up in a reusable shopping bag and leave on their porch with a kind note or Christmas card.
GETTING THROUGH IT BASKET: For the friend who spent their year fighting for basic human rights, rallying friends to vote, and has done everything for everyone else, shower them with baked goods of course but also add in a couple items that are unique to the year. Showing that they are appreciated is the best gift, and you can’t go wrong with some fun trinkets, coloring therapy and sugar.
BE WELL: How about a “be-well basket” for a friend who’s on the front lines and could use a moment for some personal care. Add a new face mask, and a comforting book of poems and maybe a small flowering plant–you could even use clippings from your own succulents. A lovely citrus or lavender hand cream and a soothing candle, or some essential oils and a diffuser are easy things to order right from Instacart if you can’t get out. Include something you baked along with the recipe so they can make it too.
Mask from Sprouts on Instacart
Hand Cream from Sprouts on Instacart
THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING: A festive wrapped up platter of Christmas cookies and treats on a “giving plate” is a really thoughtful way to show you care. I love the idea of using your time, ingredients and love to make the cookies, then giving them on a reusable plate that travels to a new home every year. If you can’t find a plate with a saying already on it, just write a note or write a white plate with a glass marker. Say something like “This is a Giving Plate: Enjoy these goodies shared with you, then share this plate next year with someone new”. Wrap in cellophane and tie with a big bow! If you can’t find a plate in time, package them up in a tin or box and be sure to include your favorite cookie recipe and a cookie cutter tied on with a ribbon.
HAPPY HOURS: No gift list would be complete without a happy hour theme! My favorite holiday drink is a simple champagne cocktail, and I thought this idea would make a lovely themed basket for someone extra special. I found some individual bottles of champagne at my grocery store, some unique bitters, and these “luxe” sugar cubes online from Teaspressa. Add a favorite wheel of brie cheese and some nuts from Trader Joe’s and a olivewood knife. Wrap it all up in a pretty holiday kitchen linen, tie with a ribbon, and drop off to your friend. Add a note to that you want to schedule a zoom or a backyard happy hour. For a more personal touch, make or buy some lemon infused olive oil or make some rosemary oatmeal crackers to go along.
TEEN TIDINGS: Sometimes teens can be the toughest to buy for. Taste and styles change and it’s hard to keep track what they already have. If you know some of their interests that’s great, otherwise just have fun with it. Get them their own little Christmas tree for their room with some ornaments or lights they can decorate with. A game is a good idea too, so the whole family can get engaged. Do they love music or play guitar? How about you find them a unique guitar strap on Amazon or Etsy? Do they have a favorite show or like a certain store? Just get a gift card and make it more special by giving it with a tin of home-baked cookies. What would be really fun would be to cut out cookies in holiday shapes, bake them and then give them as a kit with sprinkles and frosting to decorate on their own. You could find everything you need at on Instacart or at your grocery store.
Found on Costco via Instacart
KIDS SCREEN FREE FUN: Kids have had a long weird year with a lot of screen time. A fun wubble bubble or drone would provide some outdoor entertainment. A gingerbread house kit is a craftier way to entertain children inside. If they are a dog lover, Trader Joe’s dog biscuit mix is a fun activity too. Or inspire them to give their creations to others or support a local charity or toy drive. When in doubt, new holiday books are always in a great choice. Order the list from new to old so that you can find something they may not already have, or purchase some holiday coloring books.
I could keep going forever but hopefully these ideas will be helpful to you this year when it can be difficult to have clear thoughts on what to give. These are just suggestions and any gift big or small is a thoughtful one that can make someone’s day–even a card. The gift of connection and caring is the best gift you can give–be it in the form of a kind note, a bottle of wine, a drive by drop off of cookies, or a great carefully curated themed basket.
Special delivery!
Wishing you well, and wishing you happy moments of giving and receiving this season.
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