It’s never too early to start thinking about holiday gift ideas. Here are 10 different great gift ideas you might not have thought of, including some you can have ready to give in just a few minutes if you don’t have time to wait for shipping.
You may already be familiar with subscription “clubs,” like Book of the Month Club or any of the various cheese of the month clubs, but subscriptions have become enormously popular in just the past few years, which means there are a lot of new options to consider. Here are some of the best:
1. Universal Yums
This monthly subscription box is a crowd pleaser, perfect for almost anyone you might be buying for this Christmas, and particularly good for situations where you need to give a gift to a group of people, like a business client, a couple, or a family. Each box includes a whole variety of tasty snacks that all come from a particular country. One month you might get a box filled with snacks from France, while the next month you’re sampling treats from Poland. It’s a fun way to learn about the world. You can give a gift subscription that lasts up to a year, or even just a single month, and just about any length of time in between.
2. Birchbox
Each month, your recipient will receive an attractive patterned box filled with skincare and cosmetics products. Boxes can be personalized to the recipient’s particular taste, and gift subscriptions are available for three months, six months, or a full year. If you’ve heard of Birchbox before, it’s likely in the context of makeup or cosmetics, so you might think this gift is only suitable for the women and girls in your life. But they do offer a box just for men as well, so this idea will work for almost anyone!
3. BarkBox
Are you shopping for a devoted dog owner? BarkBox might be the perfect option. Like the other subscription boxes that are out there, BarkBox will send your recipient a fun box every month of treats and toys, but these are just for dogs! You can send BarkBox as a gift for twelve, six, or three months, or just send one single box instead of a monthly subscription.
If you don’t think a subscription service is quite what you’re looking for, check out the gift ideas below.
4. Splendor
Are you shopping for a couple or family this Christmas? Splendor is a fun board game that’s easy to learn. Two, three, or four players can all enjoy it, so this could be a great gift for a family with kids or without. Board games can be a great way to give your recipients the gift of quality family time, and if you’re giving one to a relative, you may even get to play with them!
5. Air plants
One gift that is usually unexpected but always well received is a potted plant. Even if your recipient lives in a small space or isn’t in a situation to take care of a pet, a plant can be a welcome addition to their home and their life. Air plants are particularly easy to take care of, since they don’t even require a traditional pot of dirt. To water an air plant, all you need to do is mist it lightly with a spray bottle, which you could include with your gift or which your recipient can pick up at any drugstore or beauty supply store.
6. Baking kit
If you’re looking for a gift you can make yourself or one that is extremely inexpensive, consider a baking kit! All you have to do is gather the ingredients for a simple recipe like Christmas cookies or brownies and present them attractively in jars or other containers. Add some festive ribbons and labels and you’ve got a gift your recipient is sure to love.
7. Boxed set
Streaming video services are extremely popular right now, and they probably will be for years to come, but you may have noticed that most people only pick one or two services to subscribe to and don’t bother with the rest. If you’re shopping for someone who loves television or movies, one option to consider is either a gift subscription to a streaming service they don’t already have, or a physical boxed set of a series or film they don’t already have access to that you think they’ll like. For example, if you’re shopping for a college student who has Netflix but not HBO, consider giving them a boxed set of Silicon Valley or Game of Thrones. This is a thoughtful gift that will tell the recipient you spent time thinking about what they might appreciate, and it’s sure to be a hit.
8. Atlas Obscura
You might think reference books would be obsolete in the age of online encyclopedias and Google, but there is still a place in the world for a beautiful, surprising collection of fascinating information. One example of this is Atlas Obscura, which collects photos and essays about some of the most unusual places in the world and what makes them special. It’s a great gift for any adult or older child, but if you’re looking for something similar for someone younger, they’ve also got a version for children. Either one would make a valuable and educational gift for any curious person.
9. Chocolates
If you like the idea of giving food but don’t want to give a subscription box like those described above, consider a beautiful boxed assortment of chocolates. You can find versions for almost any dietary restrictions or requirements. For example, if your recipient only eats vegan foods, focus your search on dark chocolates that contain no dairy products. Almost everyone loves chocolate, so an assortment also makes a perfect hostess gift to bring along to a Christmas party. Your recipients can choose whether to serve the chocolates at the party or just tuck them into a cabinet to enjoy on their own later on.
10. Phone case
Almost anyone you might be shopping for will have some kind of cell phone, so if your recipient is particularly tricky, consider a sturdy and attractive case for their phone. You can find beautiful cases for any budget and any kind of phone, but for most smartphones, Casetify is a great option. You can find all sorts of fun patterns and designs, or even cases that make your phone look like an old fashioned camera or cassette tape.
With any luck, one of these ideas will work for just about anyone you might need to buy a Christmas gift for, whether they’re an adult or a child, a business colleague or a family member. Most of these products will need to be shipped, but remember that you can always find similar items in stores near you that you could have wrapped and ready to go in a matter of hours if you really needed to. Good luck and happy shopping!
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