5 Creative Gift Ideas to Brighten Anyone’s Day
Being a good gift-giver is a skill. It requires knowledge about the recipient and a keen attention to detail about their likes and dislikes. It’s a mix of strong perception abilities and a knack for tracking down the perfect item. As such, it’s undoubtedly complicated and requires a hint of luck, too.
However, don’t fret. Even if you lack some (or all) of these attributes, you can still be a great gift-giver in your own right. It just takes a bit of practice. Here are a few ways to brighten your loved one’s day.
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1. Give Comfort
It’s nice to come home after a long day to some rest and relaxation. Making a cup of tea and cozying up with a good book or show just hits the spot. Eating comfort food can help. Simply dedicating time to physically feeling well can make things seem better. So, consider giving your friend the gift of comfort.
Order from their favorite restaurant and get it delivered so they don’t have to cook dinner after a tough day at work. Drop off a cozy blanket with their favorite sweet treat so they can cuddle up on the couch and melt the stress away. Or send them get well gifts to help them recover if an illness has them out of commission.
Each of these ideas makes your loved one feel better in a way that’s tailored to them. These efforts show you care about what they’re going through. Even if that doesn’t make up for the day they had, it can be remembered as a bright spot.
2. Create an Experience
Some of the best gifts aren’t physical gifts at all. They’re experiences that create long-lasting memories. Of course, this approach requires a bit of time, some creativity, and an abundance of planning. But it’s nothing you can’t accomplish.
Start by thinking through your loved one’s favorite activities: Do they love comedy shows, concerts, or films? Are they crafty, outdoorsy, or a bookworm? Once the main theme is nailed down, dive into your planning process. Find a day that works for you and make any necessary reservations.
From there, it’s about having fun and helping them have the best time possible. Attend a show together and buy them merch or spend hours in the library scouring the shelves. Whether you spend a lot or nothing at all, the effort you put into planning an experience is evident. And that is something that can brighten anyone’s day.
3. Personalize a Present
Cookie-cutter gifts and gift cards can be great presents if loved ones opt to send links or a list of wants. Of course, they’re not the most creative options by a long shot. Personalized gifts, however, are a way to spruce up more typical gifts and make them one of a kind.
Take a coffee mug, for example. You could run to your favorite gift store and pick out one with a kitschy saying or cute design. But that lacks something a great, creative gift offers — uniqueness. Take the same idea, a coffee mug, and get an inside joke or a photo of their pet on it. That makes a fairly simple gift one that’s unique to them.
The same concept can be applied to other gift options like tote bags, jewelry, or sports equipment. Find ways to add a flair of personality to the base item for a new take on a classic. Those items then become gifts people actually want to keep.
4. Share Your Time
Catching up with family or reconnecting with an old friend fuels the soul. You’re able to share what’s new, reminisce on old times, and invest in your relationship. That’s why giving the gift of your time is the perfect idea if you’re hoping to brighten someone’s day.
It could be a surprise phone or video call to drop in and chat. Or it could be a coffee date to hang out for an hour or so. The point is to carve out time devoted to being together. Even better if you can plan it in advance so you can both have something to look forward to.
No matter if you and your loved one are thriving or struggling, the time will be worthwhile. You can lean on each other and celebrate wins all while catching up. All it takes is blocking time on your calendar.
5. Take Something Off Their Plate
Everyone has a list of tasks they do regularly out of necessity. Laundry, cleaning, and walking the dog come to mind. But they’re not necessarily the most exciting chores to take care of. If you’re hoping to get creative with gifts, look no further than the basic, everyday task list of your loved ones.
There are a few ways to complete these tasks as a present. If you want to be creative and give something your loved one can open, a coupon book is your best friend. This is a packet of tickets representing different tasks that can be cashed in whenever the recipient wishes. So, you can control what’s inside and your loved one can have one less thing to worry about.
Or you can text them offering to do what’s most pressing in their life. Both approaches accomplish the same. You’re helping your loved one feel less stressed., and that’s something anyone would appreciate.
Better, Brighter Days Ahead
Whether gift giving is second nature or a skill you’re still developing, all attempts are worthwhile. Ultimately, anything you do to make someone smile makes an impact. And that’s something you can hang your hat on.
