You know the holidays are going to look different this year. Parties postponed. Family staying sheltered in place. On top of all that, you need to wonder about gifts.
How can you express your gratitude for people when you have to social distance?
Thankfully, you can get some memorable gifts delivered for you. And if you’re looking to highlight a shared passion or experience, here’s your place to start.
Subscription boxes for all types
Subscription boxes cover everything from books and stationery to personal growth and clothes. There’s so many to choose from and new ones pop up all the time.
Photo by Zachary Keimig on Unsplash
The good news is that there is a box for everyone in your life.
Have a bookworm on your shopping list? Book of the Month or OwlCrate is your way to go. For those looking to amp up their wardrobe, try Rocksbox or Trunk Club which is powered by my favorite store, Nordstrom. A personal shopper asks you your style and what items you’re in need of at the moment.
For a more personal touch, Greetabl is best. You can upload photos and they’ll use them to line the interior of the box. This collage opens to lay flat. They also include a personal greeting card and a little gift of your choosing. Ideal for any occasion or holiday.
Who doesn’t love food? And food during the holidays is a staple. You plan all year what you’re going to make on Thanksgiving and Christmas. You picture the desserts, the spread, the leftovers.
There’s plenty of snack boxes available to send to loved ones. From chocolates to candies (Universal Yums), coffee to tea (Sips by). Trust me, the foodie in your life will appreciate it.
If you need more help in finding the right box for someone, check out this list on My Subscription Addiction. It breaks things down by category and gives a quick blurb on what each box contains.
Meal kits for the pro or aspiring chef
Home cooking was never more essential than during COVID-19. Working from home and statewide lockdowns meant more cooking and less take-out.
But how many times can you make chicken or pasta the same way?
Meal kits are an excellent gift for those looking to spruce up their menu. Like subscription boxes, there’s a lot to choose from.
To help you narrow it down, check out Best Meal Kits for Families. In a recent poll, they ranked the most popular meal kits. The top there were:
HelloFresh
Home Chef
EveryPlate
There’s also one catered to senior citizens called Seniors Diet To Go.
Don’t underestimate your locale. You could have a meal delivery service in your area without even knowing it. In my neck of the woods, there’s Healthy James and MealPro. You can tweak based on your diet (gluten or dairy-free) and since they’re local, you’re helping businesses in need.
Send loved ones a free box. The decision is theirs whether they want to keep going or not. Even if they don’t stick with it, they have new recipes to add to their list. All thanks to you.
Time to get crafty
Let’s jump back into subscription boxes for a second because we’re about to get crafty.
A lot of people turned to crafting to get through the never-ending days of being stuck inside. It’s a relaxing activity that can lead to making tons of personalized gifts for loved ones.
If you have a crafter in your life — or if you’re itching to try it — consider the following boxes to get started:
The Crafter’s Box
Sketch Box
Quilty Box
To learn more about these and others, check out The Spruce’s list of the best craft subscription boxes.
Streaming all the shows
How many times did you tell a friend they have to watch Ozark or the new, absolutely adorable show, Emily In Paris, on Netflix only to find out they don’t have Netflix?
Streaming services are perhaps the best thing to happen to the entertainment industry. When the pandemic hit, people escaped reality by disappearing into fantasy. With the countless streaming services available, they had a lot at their fingertips.
So if you have a friend who's been dying to watch The Handmaid's Tale, treat her to the first three months of Hulu. You can also look into purchasing a streaming bundle.
Some of the most popular bundles include:
Amazon Prime, Cinemax, HBO Max for $21.99/month
Disney+, ESPN, Hulu for $12.99/month
Hulu, HBO Max for $14.99/month
Give loved ones the first few months on you. That’s plenty of time for them to binge-watch the shows and movies people are raving about.
Game night done right
Does your family have a tradition of playing games together during the holidays? Do you have a competitive round of Scrabble or a tight-knit race in Charades? What about puzzles?
If some of your loved ones aren’t able to travel this year, it doesn’t mean you can’t have your game night. Send them a copy of the game you normally play and schedule a Zoom game night. Or send them a puzzle and put it together over wine and cheesy Christmas movies.
Puzzles and games are known to reduce stress and ease anxiety. You don’t need me telling you these are stressful times. Stress over the pandemic and now stress over the holidays is enough to drive anyone insane.
Put a puzzle together instead. Play a game over Zoom. Just because the holidays will look different this year doesn’t mean you can’t hold on to some traditions.
The gift of redeemable certificates
Know anyone from the area that’s been meaning to tackle their unorganized home? Did you know I offer gift certificates? Let me help your loved one clear the clutter and gain some sanity back.
Photo by SEASHELL IN LOVE - Kristin on Unsplash
Gift cards and certificates are an easy purchase. The trick is nailing the right one. Anyone can give someone a Target gift card. But when you really think about what that person needs you’re adding a touch of personalization.
You can figure out a person’s current needs by simply asking. Are they working on a home project? Lowes or Home Depot will help buy those materials. Are they in need of a good mani-pedi? Most local nail salons offer gift certificates.
Your goal is to give memorable Christmas gifts your loved ones will know you put thought into. This year — more than ever — we need to remind each other how grateful we are to have them in our lives.
No matter how you give this year, it’s clear presents will be more memorable than previous seasons. How do you plan on letting your loved ones know you care?
Don’t forget to pop over into my shop to purchase a gift certificate. You’ll also find a copy of my book, virtual services, and handy guides to help you through organizing those tough rooms.