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If you’re stuck for gift ideas that “wow” and need some inspiration, here are five unique gift ideas for your loved ones, suitable for any special occasion.
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Five unique gift ideas for loved ones – regardless of the occasion
We might be past the Christmas silly season, but with Easter, Mother’s and Father’s day, birthdays and anniversaries ahead of us this year, the need for fabulous gifts for friends and family never ends. So here are 5 unique gift ideas that will fit the bill precisely.
A decadent experience
Everyone loves a charcuterie board, and they’ve become increasingly popular over the last few years. For a twist, plan a picnic surprise by packing your board “to go” and treating your loved one to a charcuterie picnic at a beautiful location, such as a beach, lake or park.
This is a particularly thoughtful gift – especially if their love language is “quality time”. They’ll truly appreciate the time spent with you and the effort put into their surprise. Make sure you pack plates, glasses and napkins. Bring their favourite beverages and a large mat or blanket for you to spread out. For a truly luxurious experience, add a grazing picnic table to your gift. Or bring cushions to relax on and decorate with flowers. The grazing picnic table will give you a spot to put the charcuterie board or box and help keep wine glasses from tipping over – and is a great memento your loved one can take home as a reminder of their special day.
Gifts that keep on giving
Unsurprisingly, subscription services have flourished during Covid. What better way to get treats of all descriptions delivered to their door! If you don’t live near your gift recipient, this is a convenient gift idea that also speaks volumes.
There are many options for hard-to-buy-for loved ones, from flowers to cupcakes and even toilet paper, for the most practical gift! The beauty of a subscription is that it is truly a gift that keeps on giving. Once the initial surprise is over, they will get a reminder of your thoughtfulness every month. If you can’t make your gift budget stretch to a subscription, or what you want isn’t available in their area, get creative and DIY your own! Organise a “voucher” for them and deliver your gift at regular intervals – think magazines, candy, pamper goodies or wine.
If your loved one is time-poor, another take on a subscription service is to have meal kits or frozen meals delivered to their home. Which will also help take the pressure off the daily grind.
Bring out their competitive side
Do you have a friend or family member who loves games and competition? There is a whole range of board games designed for adults – a long way from the Snakes and Ladders and Monopoly of our childhood. There is an option for everyone. Whether they love Harry Potter or Star Wars, building new civilisations or conquering old ones.
Your loved one is guaranteed to be thrilled with a collaborative game, such as Pandemic, where the players ‘compete’ against the game itself while trying to save the world – you’ll just be sad when a win doesn’t mean that Covid has gone away. Gifting different board games to your friends is a clever way to amass a wide selection for future game’s nights together!
For small humans
If you’re buying for a toddler or younger child for a birthday, christening or another special occasion, you can always opt for the latest toy of their favourite TV show or character. After all, you can’t go wrong with their favourite plush toy!
You can also opt for a more open-ended toy that encourages them to direct their own play. Think gifts like wooden blocks, train tracks or magnetic tiles.
For older kids
Rather than opting for clothes (boring!) or trends that will lose currency quickly, vouchers for experiences like adventure parks, indoor rock climbing and the movies are a great alternative to traditional presents. A season pass or annual membership to the local aquarium, zoo, or museum is fantastic as a more substantial gift for a family.
Such locations encourage kids to explore and learn about the world around them. Which makes for a change from being shut inside the last couple of years. Another excellent experience gift idea is to sign them up for classes for their favourite hobby. Or encourage them to try something new.
Whatever gift you choose for your loved one, it’s essential to consider their hobbies and interests and select something you know they’ll truly love, rather than giving them something you would love yourself – we’ve all been guilty of that. A thoughtful gift will show that you genuinely care for and value them and their passions. It doesn’t take much to think outside the box and become a gift-giving guru.