By Erin Pittman
The holidays are upon us and it is a very happy time with friends and family. It’s time to celebrate together, have dinner together, and for many of us, exchange gifts. Oh the gifts! Giving Christmas presents is a lot of fun and heartwarming, but let’s also be honest for a moment – it’s stressful! Unless you already have the perfect idea in mind, deliberating on the perfect idea for dad, your spouse, grandma, your boss, and so many others.
It can turn your joy into palpitations, palpitations that get worse with each passing day without the perfect gift.
But fear not, we’ve put together great ideas for Great Aunt Sally down to the youngest grandchildren. There is something for everyone and we will help you find it.
Generating own ideas
I recently had a great lunch with my dad. The food was good, but what made it so wonderful was that I had it all to myself, with no annoying grandchildren stealing the stage! We caught up on our jobs, volunteering, and the books we’re reading, including one that he liked on the subject of Stoicism. I think the two
I learned things we didn’t know about each other in our 43 years together on this Earth, leaving me with new books to read and a warm heart. If you’re struggling with gift ideas for a certain person, give him a call to connect and chat, take him out for lunch, or meet him for a walk. Pay close attention to the details they share
and see what ideas can come up. It has been more difficult to stay connected these last two years; reach.
A few weeks later, we were approached by my stepmom’s birthday, as it has for most of 2021. ??????????????????) He loves Boston Terriers, exercise and orchids. But she wouldn’t be happy with another dog, she has a lot of training equipment and we’ve done the orchid thing enough times, even if she swears she can never have too many. So, we give it a little twist.
My oldest son loves LEGOs, I mean, LOVES them. He builds some of the biggest sets and his passion is huge. When looking for gifts for orchid lovers, I came across an 880-piece LEGO-type orchid. He wasn’t sure if this would be a success or a failure, but luckily it came first. In this formula, we take something my stepmom loves and combine it with something her grandchildren love to match a unique and special gift that came from the heart. (The bonus points out that it’s an orchid that you will never be able to kill! Your words, not mine.) What is something that a member of your family loves that you can combine with something that you like? They love inspirational quotes and do you love to paint? Are they always cold and you are the best weaver?
Gifts for the special people in your life
So if you don’t have an orchid-loving family member or avid reader who would appreciate a daily dose of stoicism, where do you start? We have a long list of people you may have in your life and some great ideas for each of them. Get ready to make your list and double-check it.
What do you buy for …?
Working father
Working parents would love for you to magically grant them extra hours each day. Since you can’t make that happen, how about you give them a gift that gives them the gift of their time? These can include food delivery gift certificates for those sold out nights when there’s no time to cook or when Mom or Dad just needs each other for homework or a science project rather than in the kitchen preparing a meal. Gift cards for car wash or home services like laundry, cleaning, grocery delivery, organizing, or yard work would also be welcome as a respite from daily chores. And don’t forget to invite the parents out on a date night.
Dinner and a movie plus a free babysitting night would be music to any parent’s ears!
Young professional
Now, how about that young professional you know who is just starting out on his career path but already has his eye on the CEO role? Professional memberships or a subscription to an online learning platform so they can take courses in their career field can excite them, and subscriptions to magazines like Inc and Success can give them the edge they are looking for. Are you always reading the latest professional development books?
How about a new Kindle to carry all those books and read on the go? Or a subscription to Audible to devour personal growth books on your journey? Eager young professionals will love anything that helps them grow and evolve in their field.
Pet lover
We all know someone who loves their pet more than most people. For these folks, how about a gift card for pet services like dog walking or pet sitting, or a new collar or leash featuring a favorite sports team? There are countless companies that will create various items in the image of a pet – think socks, cushions, blankets, and even clothing. A gift certificate for a photo shoot or tickets to an event in support of a local animal rescue event may be well received.
Bibliophile
Ah, the book lover. The one who will likely reject stay-at-home plans snuggled up on the couch with the latest bestseller. Do you have a Kindle yet? How about an old book that can hold a special meaning with a unique bookmark hidden inside? Maybe they need some wacky bookends to hold up their endless collection or a new journal. And if you are a book lover, you can also be a dating lover. Find a quote from a favorite author, one that’s relevant to a hobby they love, or a quote that describes a trait about them that you love. Enroll on a wall hanging, blanket, mug or jewel.
Teen
Adolescents live in a world so different from what their parents and grandparents lived at their age. Sometimes it can seem impossible to know what to buy them. Try an iTunes gift card, a phone holder for her bed, or some Air Pod sleeves that make them look like a little bag of Cheetos or Sour Patch Kids. School spirit clothing
Also makes a great gift: caps, hoodies, sweatpants, t-shirts.
How about a quirky blanket to lounge on the couch? Find one in burrito or hamburger shape for a laugh. Or find them an inspirational dating book to help fill their Insta stories with great content for the coming year. Let them share the words of Taylor Swift: “Be yourself. No one
better.”
Outdoor fan
Do you have a friend who goes camping every weekend or can he just never be found indoors? Surprise them with a propane fire pit for warmth and atmosphere wherever they go. How about a deluxe portable nap hammock at each camp you choose or a Bluetooth speaker with a Tiki torch to set the mood at any outdoor gathering? Gift certificates to local outdoor supply stores will allow them to supplement their stash, or camping and RV magazine subscriptions can keep the love going all year long.
Adult children
Your children may have grown up, but you still want to give them things that show their parents’ love and support. Keep showing you are there for them with a AAA membership to keep them safe on the road. Help them cover life’s less exciting expenses with gift cards for things like oil changes, gas, and household items. Them
do you miss your home cooking? Bake up a few things and make them their own cookbook full of family recipes, so they can start cooking them at home. Pair them with some new cookware that will make preparing those recipes even easier. If you are just starting out on your own, it can sometimes be difficult to budget for holiday decorations. Help them build their stash by giving away decorations for every big holiday and maybe a few extra Christmas tree decorations. And there is a subscription box for everything today. Find one you love and let the gifts continue throughout the year. And if all else fails, buy them some crazy fun socks. We hear that they are totally back in fashion.
Health nut
For those who value health above all else, try a gift card for an organic delivery company. Perhaps a new smart scale that reports every conceivable body measurement right to your phone. Health freaks never have enough workout gear and get excited about trying new activities. A gift certificate for barre, bootcamp, or kickboxing classes might get them excited. How about a new smoothie recipe book or gift cards for the best healthy lunch spots?
Creative
From artists to craftsmen, creatives love to explore and discover. Pay for them to attend a class in their favorite medium or a new one like knitting, quilting, painting, or cake decorating. For crafters, gift organizer boxes to help them master clutter. Try online memberships for arts and crafts websites, or give away diaries and sketchbooks, blank canvases to fill with your creations. How about cooking lessons? Or maybe they’ve been feeling stuck lately and would love to subscribe for a year to a meditation app to help them overcome their blockage. You could become his creative hero.
Kids
This is where sites like Amazon really have you covered. Search for “best gifts for _year old girls / boys” and you will have a huge list of ideas to choose from. Nintendo Switch games, Squishmallows, and fidgety toys like Pop Its, Simple Dimples, and Infinity Cubes are popular right now. Jewelry, nail polish and hair accessories
they are always fun gifts for girls. Tech Decks miniature skateboards and accessories are popular with tweens. And all children get excited to shop alone, so a small trinket along with a gift card is sure to be well received.
Parents who have it all
“Oh honey. We don’t need anything!” You’ve heard it before too, right? So what do they give them? Because you know you’re going to get them something even though they seem to have everything they need. Parents love them. Try something that is meaningful to you.
Send them on their way to your favorite brewery / winery and then take them out to dinner to talk about their favorite tastings. Pick something from your favorite store in Old Town Manassas and include a note on how you use it and why you love it. Pick something that your favorite local nonprofit sells or makes a gift in your honor. How about a gift certificate for a future family photoshoot at a location of your choice? Or give them a one-of-a-kind experience, like tickets to an event coming to town or a sporting event they’d enjoy. While they may not “need anything,” you can still get creative and bring them a little holiday cheer.
And for anyone else we haven’t covered, we recommend buying Prince William. From historic Manassas to Gainesville and Haymarket to the city of Manassas Park and the city of Occoquan, there are shops and nonprofits that would greatly benefit from your support. Sail through the wonderful Prince William
Antique shops to find those one-of-a-kind treasures, stop by boutiques for locally made gifts, and visit our photographers, exercise studios and restaurants to see what they have to offer your loved ones this holiday season. We wish you all a happy giving season.
Erin Pittman (epittman@princewilliamliving.com) is editor-in-chief of Prince William Living. She loves dogs, children, books, and all that stuff piled up on her lap on the couch.