“It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.” ― Mother Teresa
The holidays are the most wonderful time of the year that can also be the most horrible time of the year if gift-giving is part of the festivities.
Your spouse, friends, parents, in-laws, grandkids, neighbors — the gift-giving list goes on and on. Many of us don’t have a clue what to buy.
To find the perfect gift, you can always do the obvious: ask the person what they really want. Or you can use the following suggestions for inspiration, both practical and whimsical.
What are their interests?
Make a list of all the things that define the person. This should be a long list once you start thinking of their hobbies, interests or a wish list they may have shared. Then add something to every item, big or small, from obvious to off the wall. This will get you thinking creatively about some cool gift ideas you normally may not have thought about.
What do they need?
Everyone needs something. Think outside the box. If the person enjoys day trips, put together a survival kit with a beautiful water bottle, snack packs of cookies, nuts, pretzels or mints, or even a travel size toothbrush and toothpaste. Thinking of their lifestyle can offer lots of ideas and will help you reframe your usual view of that person.
Make them laugh.
Perhaps the person remembers assembling model kits or enjoying a special candy as a child. Search local vintage stores for their favorites. If they watched a popular television show or cartoon, search for memorabilia that brings back great memories and laughs.
“A great gift is one that brings a smile to both the person giving the gift and also to the person receiving the gift. You can immediately tell when you watch someone’s expression if it is a good gift. Often these gifts retain their ‘specialness’ for years,” says Steve Presser, owner of Big Fun Toys.
Include a bit of yourself.
Make the gift personalized from you rather than for them. If you are artistic, create a piece of art from local pottery or painting studios. Knit a scarf for their favorite coat. Enlarge a photo of a flower from their garden, a vacation spot or pet and frame it. Go one step further by making a photo mug, blanket or memory book through a drug store photo department or an online source such as Vistaprint.com.
What makes a good gift?
“For me, a good gift is one that has some personal thought put into it,” says, Bill Barak the store manager of Rozi’s. “It would be easy to just grab a gift basket and send it or give it to someone. I would personalize a basket with their favorite wine or beer, maybe even something you and your friend or loved one had possibly shared to remind them of a good time both of you had together.”
Whatever you choose for a gift, trust your instincts and give from the heart.
Find the Right Gift Right Here in NEO
Big Fun Toys
1814 Coventry Road, Cleveland Heights
Eclectic collection of new and vintage toys and other unique gift items for kids of all ages.
Range: $10 to $50
Cleveland Museum of Natural History
1 Wade Oval Drive, Cleveland
Wide selection of educational and stimulating kits, games, apparel and books for all ages, focusing on elementary-age youth.
Range: $5 to $100
Goldfish Swim School
Fairview Park, Warrensville Heights and Hudson.
Give grandkids the gift of a lifelong skill in swim lessons. Packages are available at all three Cleveland-area locations while supplies last.
Range: $189-$239
Middlefield Original Cheese Co-Op
16942 Kinsman Road, Middlefield
Put together your own gift basket or buy one there to share a taste of Amish country.
Range: $5 to $60
Peterson’s Gourmet Nuts & Snacks
1101 Carnegie Ave., Cleveland
Peterson’s and King Nut are premier suppliers of nuts, fruit mixes, snack mixes, soy mixes, pretzels and candy.
Range: $23.95 to $120.95
Pet-Tique Boutique
10906 Clifton Blvd., Cleveland
Unique pet clothing, toys, gifts, accessories, and stock and special-order pet food.
Range: $3.99 to $150
Rozi’s Wine House
14900 Detroit Road, Lakewood
rozis.com
Gourmet gift baskets offering fruit, cheese, sausage, pasta, sauce, snacks, nuts, chocolates, cookies, coffee, microbrews, wine and more. Gluten-free, kosher and organic. For pickup, delivery or shipping across the U.S.
Range: $39.98 to $250
The Learnéd Owl
204 N. Main St., Hudson
Independent community bookstore with books for all ages and interests. Special orders, out-of-print search service and downloadable eBooks available.
Range: $3.99 to $200
Margaret Briller is a freelance writer from Northeast Ohio who seeks out unique and unusual gifts.
