The happyseekers holiday gift guide

The holidays are upon us! This is a time to take a break from the hustle and bustle, eat more food than is reasonable and spend time with our families. But first, you have to buy all the gifts.

Trying to figure out what to get everyone can be stressful. Everyone has their preferences and you may not know what they are. Going to the stores is uninspiring and feels inauthentic. You know in your heart, your loved ones don’t just need more stuff. If you’re going to get them something, it might as well be something they’ll actually enjoy. So, in an effort to make this shopping season a little easier, here is my version of a holiday gift guide:

Something useful

No one gets mad about a practical gift. The best part is, you know they’ll like it! No, it may not be fun or sexy (or maybe it is?) but it shows you’re paying attention to what they need.

Something simple and sweet

A little personalization goes a long way. Gifts shouldn’t be overthought but still show it’s just for them. Consider getting a customized piece of jewelry or decorative item made by an artisan with a smidge of your input. If you have a group of people expecting gifts, find a simple piece that’s easy to personalize. Everyone will feel the individual love of your gift.

Something that keeps giving back

The thrill of unwrapping a present is fun but quickly fades. Gifts that keep giving over time keep the spirit of it alive. Consider getting a low maintenance houseplant in a fun little container. This is a great option if you have lots of people to get gifts for. Each plant could be of a different variety showing thought for each person.

An experience instead of a thing

Most people are satisfied with the amount of stuff they have. Getting gifts in the form of things can actually be stressful. You feel rude getting rid of it but you don’t really want to keep filling your space. Giving the gift of an experience not only leaves them lighter but it fills them with something that lasts much longer. Consider concert tickets, a weekend’s stay at a boutique hotel or a personal concierge package.

Quality time

Getting fun and fancy gifts is great but it’s nothing compared to some good old fashioned quality time. It’s the truest gift from the heart because you’re not just sending your love through a gift, the gift is your love. This is a hard gift to give to many people so the ones who receive it will feel how special they are to you. Plus, you get to receive all the benefits of this gesture as well.

If all else fails, wrap it up in a creative way

I get it, buying gifts is tough. Especially if you come from a big family. Everyone is expecting at least something from you and you may not know what they like or need. So, if you have to buy random stuff or just give money, at least do it in a creative way. Bought something random? Wrap it up in a fun, complicated way so the adventure of opening it makes for a fun experience. Giving cash? Break it down into singles so the person holding it feels like a baller. College students usually need quarters.

 

We all know that what matters most is the thought that went into the gifts. So have fun thinking of the creative ways to show the people in your life that you care about them. They’ll be grateful just to spend time with you this holiday season.

 

Image via Flickr.