Ashley Nielsen
Can you imagine giving everyone on your list a gift they will love? We've put together some ideas for thoughtful and meaningful presents for everyone on your list. With these ideas, you'll be relaxed and confident that every person on your list receives a gift they will enjoy and cherish.
When you put thought into your gift-giving, it shows. You'll feel your recipients' joy knowing that you carefully chose a gift they may not have realized they would enjoy.
We hope you'll love these thoughtful presents no matter who the recipient is.
Food and drink
This category can sometimes be easier on your wallet. Skip the generic gift baskets and buy gourmet selections of whatever your recipient loves. Items to consider include:
- Gourmet chocolates
- Jams and jellies
- Coffee or tea assortments
- Maple syrup or honey
- Wine or liqueur
- Gourmet soup mixes
- Cheesecakes
- Liquor or specialty spirits
- Shelled pecans, cashews, or pistachios
- Gift certificate for a spiral-baked ham, salmon, or lobster
- Spice set
Clothing
Almost everyone loves new clothes. Remember your recipients' lifestyle and favorite colors, and you'll be bound to please. If you're unsure of size, don't forget “one size fits all” choices like ruanas or silk scarves.
- Sweaters
- Baby clothes for an expectant mother
- Women's tops
- Men's casual shirts
- Purses
- High-end sweats or fleece
- Loungewear
- Luxurious socks
- A gift certificate from their favorite store
- Slip-on sneakers
Jewelry
You'll make your recipient feel special when you gift them gold or silver jewelry. The holidays are ideal because many retailers offer significant discounts during the holidays. Starting a charm bracelet for your loved one is an especially memorable gift.
- Cocktail ring
- Diamond stud earrings
- Gold bangle bracelet
- Engagement ring
- Personalized name or initial necklace
- Birthstone ring
- Upscale costume jewelry
- Gold earrings for pierced ears
- Charms to add to a charm bracelet
- Diamond tennis bracelet
Tech
Tech products and accessories are welcome gifts for almost anyone. And regardless of your budget, you'll find a perfect choice for your techy friends and family members.
- Smart warming mugs
- Portable Bluetooth speaker
- Echo dot with clock
- Solar power bank
- Bluetooth devices to find your glasses
- Flight simulators for pilots or “wanna-be” pilots
- Apple AirTags
- 2-in-1 or 3-in-1 travel chargers
- LED neck reading light
- Power strip tower
- Phone cases
- Rechargeable hand warmer
Home
Gifts for the home are sure to please almost everyone. From newlyweds to aging parents or grandparents, there’s a variety of great gifts for a loved one’s home.
- Reed diffuser
- Scented candle
- Plush towel set
- Digital photo frame
- Keurig coffee maker
- Electric throw
- House portrait
- Live or faux plant
- Wreath for front door
- Faux fur throw
- Wine glasses
- Grill accessories
- Custom door mat
- Wall clock
Children
Choosing the right gift for children can be a little tricky. A quick call or text to their mom will help steer you toward a great gift selection. But if you can't ask in advance, these are some sure-to-please gifts for kids.
- Board games
- Remote-control robot dog
- Play oven and accessories
- Anything Barbie
- Crayola gift set
- Lego set
- Race cars or monster trucks
- Tricycle or bicycle
- Remotely-operated toys
- Coloring books
- Tee shirt with favorite cartoon character
- Hooded blankets
- Plush stuffed animals
Pets
Remembering the pet in any family puts you above the rest. The family dog is high on the totem pole for most families, so they deserve a gift as well! Playtime is essential for pets to prevent boredom. Also, remember that pets can have sensitive tummies if you're considering treats. Cats and dogs are the most common pets, but with a bit of research, you'll discover what kind of gift the rarer family pet would like, too.
- Pet beds
- Plush throws
- High-quality treats
- Cat scratching post
- Food subscription
- Pet personalized ornament
- Foot protectors for dogs who live in harsh winter conditions
- Dog shampoo and conditioner
- Gift certificate for a pet portrait
- Treat balls
- Dog DNA test
Baby boomers and beyond
Older adults today aren't the same as grandparents portrayed in older movies. Careful selection of gifts for them is essential to avoid stereotypes from the past. Boomers, people born between 1946 and 1964, now range in age from 60 to 78. They are grandmothers and great-grandparents, but most still maintain an active lifestyle.
- Scented candles and reed diffusers
- Sports equipment for current hobbies
- Fashion clothes with comfort, too
- Slip in sneakers (men or women)
- Hobby supplies
- Audiobooks
- Music subscription
- Gourmet food
- Adult coloring books
- Smart bird feeder with camera
- Amazon Kindle Paperwhite
Practical gifts for almost anyone
So what do we do when purchasing things for someone we don't know well? Maybe it's our minister, boss, cleaning service employee, yard man, or co-worker that we don't know well enough to know their tastes, or you might want to have a “generic” gift or two should someone unexpectedly visit.
- Water bottle
- Bottle of virgin olive oil
- Coffee mug
- Kitchen towel set
- Measuring spoon set
- Box of chocolates
- Jar of maple syrup or honey
- Dried soup mixes
- Soup thermos
- Working Man's Hand Cream
The benefits of “thoughtful giving.”
Thoughtful gift-giving benefits both the recipient and the giver. Slowing down and being mindful of your recipients helps you relax and unwind. Mindful, thoughtful giving also provides the giver with peace of mind.
And what's more important is that our recipients experience inner joy when receiving a heartfelt and genuine gift from you. Our gift recipients sense a warm glow and profound happiness.
Whether your recipients are close to home or spread across the world, your relatives and friends will bask in the feelings that you honestly thought of them and want them to feel the warmth of your relationship.
The truth is that thoughtful giving matches the right gift to the right recipient. Thoughtful giving isn't dependent on a big budget. The “thoughtful” part is what makes a gift the perfect gift. You realize that you remember your recipient loves chocolate and raspberries, so you give them chocolate candy with raspberry filling. You remember that your mother always has cold hands, so give her cashmere-lined gloves or a rechargeable hand warmer. Thoughtfulness can take the form of remembering someone's favorite color or flavor.
When we show our recipients that we remember their favorite things, we give them a gift they will cherish. And that, my friend, is the ultimate winter gift.
Ashley Nielsen earned a B.S. degree in Business Administration Marketing at Point Loma Nazarene University. She is a freelance writer who loves to share knowledge about general business, marketing, lifestyle, wellness, and financial tips. During her free time, she enjoys being outside, staying active, reading a book, or diving deep into her favorite music.
