Have you gotten bored with the same old holiday gifts year after year? Are you looking to give gifts that are a little out of the ordinary this holiday season? Then look no further. Here are some great recommendations for gifts that you can't find at your local department store.
DIY gifts are very popular with people trying to avoid the commercialism of the season.
If you have an artistic talent, put it to use. Even if you're not a craft diva, there are still plenty of DIY gifts you can make that your friends and family will actually enjoy. Melt and pour soaps are easy to make, can be customized with scents and colors, and are not very expensive, if made in large batches. Mason jar recipes are also a great idea. All you have to do is measure the ingredients, layer them in a mason jar, and decorate it with a cute label.
Experiences make us happier than material things.
Giving your friends and family experiences, especially ones you experience together, can be a great way to celebrate the holiday season. Take a cooking class, go to a paint and wine night, or do something really extreme, like sky diving. No matter what you choose, you and your loved ones will be making memories that will last forever. Look in the "things to do" section on websites like Groupon to get some great discounts on your gifts. Giving someone you love a great gift and saving money at the same time - could it get any better?
Give the gift of service.
Do you have a friend who is constantly running around, never able to have a night to herself? Offer to clean her house, cook a meal for her family, or babysit her children. Not really a domestic goddess? You can always hire someone to clean or order her favorite meal to be delivered. A lot of busy people would love to have a night off and let someone else handle things.
Give the gift of charity.
You could always make a donation in his name to your friend's favorite charity. Or, you could do some research and come up with something a little more interesting. You can make a donation to adopt a star or an endangered animal. Of course, these are symbolic adoptions and you should make sure the donation is going to a reputable charity, but it is a little more interactive than just giving money. If you know someone who is interested in Scotland, one really inventive option is to "buy" a plot of land in the Scottish Highlands. It amounts to a donation to support the conservation of the Scottish National Reserves. You are assigned a specific site, which you can visit, and you get a certificate addressing you as a Lord or Lady, although it is only recognized by the Highland Titles society.
Whatever gifts you give this season will surely be appreciated by the recipient, so why not break out of the routine of mindless shopping and give them something unique and meaningful. Paint your sister that lovely landscape that would look great in her living room, take your dad to a brewery for a tour and tasting, offer to detail your brother's car, or adopt a baby elephant for your nephew. It's the season of giving, so go out and give them something personal that they will really cherish.