Buying something special and gifting it to loved ones, colleagues, friends, or other beloved people brings a sense of joy to many. Nevertheless, some people find the art of gifting as cumbersome from budgeting to selecting the most befitting items. The big holiday season just concluded but there are tons of other opportunities to give gifts starting with Valentine’s Day. Birthdays are a constant fixture on the gifting calendar and other special occasions like promotions, anniversaries, graduations, weddings, and so on. Here are seven thoughtful ideas that will make gifting a lot easier and with better outcomes.
1. Travel Coffee Mug
Most of us start the day with a cup of coffee, and there is barely enough time for breakfast, so we grab it and dash to the car. If you don’t have a proper travel mug, a bumpy road or braking too fast could lead to spillage on your car’s interior, on your business suit or worse still, on fellow passengers. A travelling coffee mug is a timeless gift that is great for spouses, parents, friends, siblings, and coworkers.
Should they not be dependent on caffeine to jumpstart their day, this gift is also ideal for smoothies or lemon water for the health conscious people. Select a colour that would appeal to the person you are targeting or stick with the classic white or grey or black if you are not sure.
2. Formal Shoes
It may be a while since you gifted your dad with anything aside from taking him to lunch. A good pair of shoes that he can wear to work or other formal events will always be welcome. There are plenty of designers out there ranging from the pricey Ferragamo and Bruno Magli to the more affordable brands you can find at Neiman Marcus. Whatever budget you are working with, gifting your father, favourite uncle, or older brother a great pair of shoes will not go unnoticed.
3. Freshly Cut Flowers
We do love our mothers and our spouses dearly and want to be generous to them when it comes to finding thoughtful gifts. You may already have gifted her so many items that she cherishes to this day but when was the last time you gifted her a banquet of freshly cut roses, tulips, or other flowers she likes? If your mother loves surprises, a gift from Flowersbyjane will be a pleasant surprise to brighten her otherwise very ordinary Tuesday!
4. Bottle of Wine
You can never miss the mark with a perfectly aged bottle of Sauvignon blanc or Pinot noir delivered to the person’s doorstep. Anyone above the legal drinking age will fancy a bottle of wine even if they are not wine drinkers themselves. Wine not only exudes class but comes in handy when one is hosting important guests and wants to impress them by pairing the meal with a nice bottle of white or red. If you have extra money to splurge, why not hook your friend or sibling with tickets to a wine tasting tour or a subscription service? The latter option will bring them an assortment of exclusive wines from around the world delivered to their address. Wine tasting is ideal for someone who likes wine and would appreciate a bit of lesson from a connoisseur on how different wines taste and how to pair them.
5. Pair of Headphones
A pair of headphones is arguably the best item to gift someone who commutes to work either through public transport such as trains, riding the bike, or travelling on foot. Great headphones not only cancel out the noise from surrounding areas but are also perfect for catching up with music. Listening to your favourite jams while you ride the train or bus makes the commute less arduous, and you can also opt to catch up with your favourite podcasts or radio programs. Such a gift would stock millennials and generation Z.
6. Pampering Kit
Your little sister who is just coming into her teens or young adulthood will appreciate a personalised kit full of her favourite beauty products. Throw in shampoo, moisturiser, body scrub, sunscreen, night cream, toners, cleaners, and just about any beauty product that is appropriate. Throw in her a fresh bottle of her signature scent – or pick one she may fancy like a celebrity. Throw in wellness spa tickets for an afternoon with girlfriends, and she will be singing your praises all year long!
7. Helicopter Tour
If you are ready to pull all the stops with your gifting, nothing says I love you than a private helicopter tour to any favoured location. Imagine flying over the Great Barrier Reef, or the Mitchell falls or taking a helicopter ride across Sydney at night. This sort of gift requires a bit of research in the weeks or months leading up to the day so you can customise it accordingly. Start by asking subtle questions like “which is your most favourite natural wonder in the state?” or “can you imagine an aerial view of the Great Ocean Road?”Responses to such questions will give an inkling to what kind of adventure is worth planning then knock it out of the park, quietly.
Paying for a helicopter service is the most befitting gift for those who have a proclivity for wild adventure and of course, not petrified of heights. Get rates from different companies and be ready to negotiate; you may get an affordable deal especially during the low season.
Gifting ideas are endless, and they don’t have to stretch your budget too thin or sink you into unnecessary debt. The closest people in your life would not appreciate that one bit. Pay attention to what your person of interest enjoys, their hobbies or their longings, and start making a list of possible gifts. Remember, you want to wow them beyond their wildest dreams and yet have a touch of thoughtfulness, so they don’t feel pressured when it’s their turn to return a favour.
I was terrified the first time I went up in a helicopter, but it really is an amazing experience everyone should try!