Buying gifts can be stressful, especially when the person you’re buying for is fussy or seems to have everything. You can still support small and shop from smaller local businesses, by adding something heart felt to an experience gift box. Thinking of unique and meaningful gift ideas can be HARD WORK so here are my ideas to make your gift giving a little easier.
This year I’ve tried to put together as many experiences as possible for all of my gifts. Giving an experience will mean the gift can often last throughout the year. Experiences can be enjoyed with multiple people which creates happier, longer lasting memories.
With only 3.5 weeks until Christmas (holy crap), here are my ideas that think outside the box for loved ones. If you get shopping now, you’ll be able to pull together something truly memorable and magical.
Book A Trip Away
Gift Experience: This one is on the more expensive side, but is one experience that will be truly be remembered. Book an over night staycation at a nice hotel, book an Air BnB down south somewhere more local or gift a travel voucher so they can plan a trip to their choice of destination. I surprised Ben for his 30th with a family trip to New Zealand and it really was the most incredible experience.
Gift Unwrapping: Make a voucher yourself explaining where you’re taking them, put this in a box with something to resemble the trip. A Mapiful print of the overseas location you’re going, is a sentimental keepsake for them to unwrap. Or a kids busy bag perfect to get the kiddies excited for an upcoming trip. Or for a quick staycation, a new pair of lush PJs / men’s boxer shorts for them to wear (and wear all year round).
Support Small Ideas: A nice travel wallet, personalised passport holder, or travel bag are practical ideas. Men’s / women’s Sun Glasses, Beach towel or women’s swimwear / kids swimwear if you’re going somewhere sunny.
Ticket Experience.
Gift Experience: Buy tickets to a show, a play, a comedy night, a concert or band. These experiences are something they can look forward to with you or someone else they choose. If they have kids then organise a baby sitter, to make sure they are able to go. Look up sites like Ticketek, Ticketmaster, Crown entertainment, Comedy Festival sites, Eventfinda, or simply google what’s on near them and book something unique. These gifts show you’ve stepped outside the box and used your imagination.
Gift Unwrapping: Lots of these websites offer to post the tickets at no additional cost, however you could easily make your own tickets for them to unwrap. Add in some chocolates, lollies, or a bottle of their favourite drink for adults. You could go one step further and let them unwrap a new outfit to wear to the event.
For kids: You could buy tickets to The Wiggles, Paw Patrol shows, Disney On Ice, any kids movies coming out. Then put together a little box of all their favourite things relating to the event. That way they have something to open on Christmas, and then an experience to look forward to.
Outdoor Movie Night.
Gift Experience: Lots of outdoor events happen throughout the year making for great experiences. A great example is buying tickets to an outdoor movie either on the grass or rooftop. This is a fun experience for adults as well as kids.
Gift Unwrapping: Add the movie voucher to a picnic basket filled with yummy treats like sweets or cheeses and wine. You could add a beautiful picnic blanket, that they can use on the night and any time in the years to come. Or picnic/ camping chairs that will be used over and over again.
Support Small Ideas: Fold out picnic table, large family picnic rug, matching cooler bags, Perth outdoor cinemas listed HERE.
Memberships & Classes.
Gift Experience: Providing kids with experiences are a great gift idea. Classes and memberships can be costly for parents, so chipping in to buy them these experiences helps to provide them with something they want to do in the year. Ballet classes, sports, zoo memberships, zoo school, messy mat classes, train rides, even kindy or day care. Each of these make great presents and last for the whole year.
Gift Unwrapping: Add these memberships into a box filled with smaller related gifts. That way they can play with something in the moment and still get excited about what’s to come in the new year.
Support Small Ideas:
For a kindy box: School bag, lunch bag, hair clips, a sun protector play hat, lunch box, water bottle, play clothes and shoes.
For a ballet box: a ballet dress, ballet shoes, a ballet doll, hair ties and little bag.
For a sports box: New sports shoes, sports uniform, drink bottle, face towel etc.
A Plant To Last.
A bouquet of flowers are lovely, but they obviously don’t last. Find a trendy pot and a gorgeous plant, wrap it in a bow and this makes the perfect long lasting gift. Choose a plant that doesn’t need lots of TLC, a cactus for those who don’t have the greenest of thumbs. This is an eco friendly gift option, that they will get joy out of all year round.
This blog is in no way sponsored, all thoughts and advice are completely my own.
Don’t forget to stop by my Instagram page for more inspo, shits & giggles.
