The holidays are a great time to relax and enjoy the company of family and friends; however, gift giving can be a source of stress and anxiety this time of year. Everyone wants his/her gifts to come across as tasteful, original and thoughtful, so lots of time is spent worrying over the perfect gift. To lessen the stress, here are a few tips and ideas for giving unique and meaningful gifts. Be sure to remember that the spirit of giving is what matters most!
- Think about the recipient’s interests and hobbies before you shop and really take the time to listen to people as they may hint at what they want when you least expect it.
- Shop early and even online to get the best prices and eliminate the stress of the last-minute rush (along with everyone else who left it to the last minute).
- Buy gifts as you see them. If you’re out grocery shopping and come across the perfect holiday gift for someone, purchase it right then and there!
- Avoid purchasing clothes for someone, unless you’re certain of his/her taste. Stick to gift certificates!
Local items certainly make unique gifts
- Arrange a gift basket filled with local treats (i.e. wine from a Northern Virginia winery, Virginia peanuts, Virginia ham, local fruits, honey, jams and sauces, etc).
- Local artisan crafts & artwork can be purchased at the Torpedo Factory in Old Town Alexandria
- Etsy offers an array of handmade items and you can usually find local artists’ goods
Instead of giving a material good, give the gift of experience
- Tickets to a concert, play or sporting event. DC has many venues that offer holiday performances. Two examples include the Kennedy Performing Arts Center and the Warner Theatre
- For significant others, plan a date night out on the town including a trip to his/her favorite restaurant
- Purchase cooking classes for friends or family
- Visit Excitations website for deals on experience gifts, such as hot air balloon rides, massages and golf lessons
- Book a weekend at a Northern Virginia B&B
- Kids will especially enjoy a trip to an ice skating rink and getting hot chocolate!
Nothing says thoughtful like a homemade gift
- If you’re good at baking, homemade cookies or holiday treats make great gifts for neighbors and friends (visit FoodNetwork.com for yummy holiday recipes)
- Hand painted artwork, a framed photograph or a hand knit scarf all make for excellent gifts
- Real Simple has some good crafting ideas for simpler homemade gifts
Give a gift that keeps on giving. Gift-of-the-month clubs are a great way to buy someone a gift that they’ll enjoy every month of the year and there are plenty of clubs to choose from! View just some of the clubs available below
Get into the holiday spirit and give the gift of giving by donating to a charity in the recipient’s name or volunteering together. For a more comprehensive list of charitable organizations, visit our web post on local volunteer and donation opportunities.
- Tis Best provides a neat way to let the recipient decide what charity he/she wants to support
- Northern Virginia Family Services offers at least 2 holiday donation drives & volunteer opportunities:
- The Holiday Project in the National Capital Area
- The Fund for Alexandria’s Child
For last minute parties and the one or two people you forgot to include on your list, purchase extra small gifts such as those listed below!
- Wine
- Christmas tree ornaments
- Gourmet treats or candy
- Candles
Happy holidays & happy gifting!
