My Aunt Joan was the best gift giver I ever knew. Each year at Christmas, in spite of having to think about gifts for seven of her own children and countless nieces and nephews, she always hit the nail right on the head with my gift. My mother was a close second to Aunt Joan and they both have inspired me over the years to think long and hard about the person I’m buying for.
My father, on the other hand, didn’t even believe in gift wrapping and gravitated toward the more utilitarian. His favorite gift to receive was a plastic bag full of cashews (from my cousin Mary Tara, usually) or a bag of oranges.
This year I’m blending these philosophies together and am sharing some ideas for useful and heartfelt giving.
For Book Lovers
My favorite gifts have usually been books. Now that everything is digital (or audio), an OG hard cover book is something everyone can cherish, especially with a handwritten note on the inside title or dedication page. Best
sellers aren’t always a good idea as most avid book worms may have already purchased something on the best sellers list. A classic, picture book or anthology is a great option for true book lovers.
Here is a list of ideas for every reader on your list:
- A Christmas Carol – Charles Dickens
- The Giving Tree – Shel Silverstein
- 100 Years of the Best American Short Stories
- The Complete Cartoons of the New Yorker – Aunt Joan sent this to me one year when I was living in Ireland and couldn’t come home. It’s a favorite!
- HarryPotter (any one of them) – These will be read over and over
- The Velveteen Rabbit – For kids and adults alike
- Cookbooks – These days they’re beautiful to peruse in addition to actually containing recipes
- Becoming – Michelle Obama – I personally loved this and haven’t heard from anyone who didn’t
Tips – Paperbacks are great for non-fiction and any biography of a person in a field the receiver is interested in is also a thumbs up. Also, try to purchase books at a local brick and mortar bookstore. They need (and deserve) our business!
Flowers
Although I have the opposite of a green thumb I have come to love flowers and treated myself to a flower 
subscription last Summer. What better way to show someone you care on the regular than a floral gift? I did some research and it seems that there are many unique subscriptions out there. A great example is – Farmgirl Flowers.
Farmgirl Flowers uses gorgeous, designed flowers at a reasonable price, supports only American farmers and small businesses while minimizing waste and environmental impact — all while saving you time through a simple ordering process. They can deliver weekly, bimonthly and monthly if you want flowers to brighten up someone’s home or office. They’ll think of you each time they receive a delivery!
Cooks and Bakers
A personalized handwritten recipe cutting board is a wonderful idea that’s both useful and sentimental. I just love this idea and found a number of companies that create these keepsakes out of wood using your own (or 
someone else’s) handwriting for the engraving. – Here is an example by 904 Custom.
According to their website these “cutting boards also serve as a lovely memory of a favorite handwritten family recipe to be shared for generations to come!” Their website makes the process easy as well:
- Recipe horizontally engraved
- Easily upload your handwritten recipe
- Select from bamboo, walnut, or maple wood
- Select from several sizes
- Hand wash only
They’re also fairly affordable which is an added bonus.
Pet Lovers
Pet photo socks – Pet owners (myself included) love anything that features a photo of our four-legged family members. I came across this idea when ordering my monthly delivery of dog food…
Hard to Shop For
Hand Stamped Antique Spoons – These beautiful silverware items are silver plated, are stamped with a sweet sentiment and have been handpicked from local antique stores so each spoon is one of a kind. This is not a brand new, never used, piece of flatware but is vintage inventory that’s been hand polished and washed before they reach their gifting destination. Each letter has been hand stamped individually, making each piece unique and meaningful. Each letter may not line up perfectly, but that adds to the charm!
Foodies
For a few years I sent a wheel of Maytag Blue Cheese to my family members and, true to form, Aunt Joan sent me back a hilarious thank you note following the cheese’s travels from the first to last bite. She and my Uncle 
Jack shared it with seemingly everyone in the neighborhood!. While blue cheese may not be to your liking, gourmet cookies, champagne cake bites and homemade candies are guaranteed to put a smile on a loved one’s face at holiday time.
Cold Weather Residents
A monogrammed gift is always a hit but not everyone will wear something personalized. Most people, however, love a nice blanket or throw and the holidays are a perfect time to give a comfy (yet affordable) monogrammed blanket and throw. These luxurious throws are so nice and I speak from experience. I gave my husband one as a gift on our first Christmas together and he still uses it.
Everyone on Your List
Wellness is more important now than ever and giving the gift of health is the perfect way to show a loved one 
that you care.
Our Purelix Wellness CBD Sampler Pack is the gift for anyone that may want to try CBD or for those that already use CBD but would like to try it in a different delivery method. Each Sampler comes with a miniature jar of menthol-infused Sports Cream, easy-to-take softgels, our tasty gummies and one of our fresh CBD oil tinctures. And if you have a four-legged family member be sure to add our Purelix Pets CBD Dog Chews.
Gifting in 2020
No matter which gifts you choose to give to those in your circle, something chosen with mindfulness and time is always appreciated. Giving the perfect gift is a great experience for both the giver and the receiver alike.
What types of gifts do you plan on giving this year to show your loved ones how much you care?
