Guide to Gift Giving - Unique Gift Ideas

While is may initially appear as a somewhat ridiculous or silly gift, a snuggie is in fact the perfect present for the cold winter weather. I too, was originally hesitant about owning or using a snuggie but after enjoying it once, it has become more used more than any other blanket lying around my house. It is perfect for curling up on the couch after a long day at work, to do anything from watching a movie to reading or eating. The arm sleeves and neckline allow you to continue moving about as much as you like while still staying under the warmth and comfort of the blanket. It is also great for people of all ages. After falling in love with it myself I could not resist buying one for my mother and 8-year-old cousin. Needless to say, they too have become hooked. The soft fleece and color options make this the perfect gift to give to all of your friends and family members, as it is both inexpensive and instantly ready to give to anyone. If you wanted to give something extra you could always include a collection of classic movies and books as well.

With the start of the New Year,ca lendars are great gifts. They make the perfect small present to simply show that you care or are thinking about someone without spending a large amount of money. Every year since I can remember my mother has given me, and all of my siblings, a calendar from our favorite vacation spot, Hilton Head Island, SC. This has become somewhat of a tradition and it is one that I hope to later take over. It is easy to select a calendar that you know a person will love even if you do not know them well. Just look at ones of their favorite sports team, city, flower or even artist. The calendars of old black and white photographs are some of my favorite. It is something that anyone is sure to love and that no household should be without. If you know that they already have a calendar a small day planner or desktop calendar is just as fitting. If you are looking to personalize the gift or do something additional you could always pencil in a night on the calendar where the two of you could have a night out as an extra surprise.  

No matter how old you get, Christmas and the holidays will always resolve around children, so don’t forget to keep them in mind when shopping for the perfect gift. For a new born or young child blankets are always a great idea. While this may seem like a somewhat ordinary or overused gift, there are plenty of ways you can add some excitement to this otherwise expected present. One thing for example that I have found all kids to fall in love with, are the blankets that are combined with a stuffed animal. After all who wouldn’t love getting two presents for one? The attached blanket makes it the perfect animal to cuddle with when falling asleep. This unique blanket is also available in a large variety of animals, in everything from lambs to monkeys so you can select the perfect friend for the child. These fun blankets are soft and available at a reasonable price. If you want to add something extra to the gift you could also always have it embroided with their name or initials on it. 

When I think back to past presents that I have received the ones that I have enjoyed the most are always the ones that are more than just materialistic gifts but actually let you create an experience. They allow you to enjoy the gift with your friend or loved one and create memories that will last longer than any item that you could purchase. Broadway or off Broadway tickets are a great thing to buy for anyone, young or old, male or female. I recently saw Avenue Q and would see it again or recommend it to any of my friends in a heartbeat. The show is filled with humor and is sure to put in you an automatic good mood and keep you laughing the entire time. The shows unique premise and ideas are unlike anything else. The play uses puppets to share the story of recent college graduates living in New York using songs and adult humor that will keep you entertained. With all of the shows that are available there is something for everyone regardless of your personal taste and style. While the price tag that is associated with Broadway may immediately scare people off or seem intimidating, most shows will offer special deals or promotions that will lessen the price. Off Broadway plays also often offer the same experience but for a smaller price and often in a location closer to you, opening up more options. 

If you are on a budget while shopping for a present, making something is a great solution. It allows you to stay on budget while being creative too. One of the easiest ways to go about this is cooking or baking, as there are very few people who could resist the idea of free, already prepared food. While cookies or other baked sweets may seem cliché you cannot go wrong with them. If you want to try something a little different though you can always stay away from the typical chocolate chip cookies and look up a new dessert or recipe. One of my favorite recipes to make are peanut butter balls. They only require a few ingredients and are easy to make. Just combine 1 stick of butter, 1 box of powdered sugar, 2 cups of crunchy peanut butter and 3 cups of Rice Krispies and shape them into small balls and chill them. Afterwards you can either roll them in powdered sugar or coat them in chocolate. Just wrap them up and they make the perfect gift to bring to a dinner party or just as a thank you gift. My only advice is to make sure you make two batches, as you will want to keep some for yourself- they are truly addicting! 

A great way to give a gift for any occasion to someone is to select a theme and pick various smaller presents relating to it and put it into a basket. This gift is not only fun for the person to open but also to make. For instance we all know at least one person with that caffeine addiction, so find a giant mug and fill it with specialty coffee beans, a gift card to their favorite coffee shop and biscotti. For anyone who enjoys a bottle of wine with dinner, a basket filled with specialty wine, wine glasses and cheese is hard to resist. My Mom has always loved to take a bath as her way to escape from work and a long day and would always love a gift compiled of bubble bath, bath salts, and various lotions and candles. You can also throw in their favorite magazine or a new book. If you are scrunched on time stores such as Bath & Body Works sell prepackaged baskets that will do the trick. This is also a great idea for anyone who is about to travel. Just fill a backpack with a camera, suntan lotion, and a journal and they will be ready to go. Kids will love this idea too and will be ecstatic with the idea of getting more than one present. With gift baskets you can find something for anyone and it is easy to personalize and to include their favorite things or even inside jokes. 

Speaking of taking a get away, if you are looking for an anniversary gift, a vacation is the perfect present. While the options are endless, a cruise is my ultimate recommendation. A cruise allows you to pay a set fee from the start and then enjoy your time off without having to worry about bills or any additional expenses, as food is already included. With all expenses included you better get ready to eat your heart out with an endless supply of meals and irresistible desserts that will be available to you 24/7. The endless amount of activities and events that are already planned will allow you to both finally get a chance to relax and let others take control as you soak up the sun. Most ships also stop in multiple locations throughout the trip, which allows you to visit various locations and get a taste of different cultures and histories often all within a week. I have been fortunate enough to have the opportunity to go on two cruises and both of them have given me experiences that will last a life time such as swimming with dolphin and parasailing. Cruises are great for any age and also a fun idea to plan with other couples or family and friends. So book your ticket and get ready to sit back and relax!

Whether you are relaxing by the pool, soaking up the summer sun, or keeping warm by the fire in the winter, a good book is the only thing you need. Especially with the growing age of technology books have become more important then ever and will never truly be replaced by any modern technology. Books help you escape from reality without being interrupted by bothersome commercials. They allow you either be swept away in another persons world or feed you new information that you would not have discovered otherwise. When it comes to reading everyone has their guilty pleasure whether it be the seductive romance tales of the past, the page turning suspense stories or the newest novel series. Books are great to give to both men and woman alike. You can give books by a person’s favorite author or I love to give books to my friends and family that I have already read and fallen in love with myself. Then, not only will you know they’ll love it but it becomes a great conversation piece for the next time you all go out. Even if the person you are buying for isn’t an avid reader there are few people who could resist the newest best selling series such as Harry Potter or Twilight. They will not only satisfy your curiosity as far as what all the fuss is about but they make for a fun easy read for adults too. Unique coffee table books make great gifts as well. Just pick up a photography book from their favorite vacation spot or a unique book such as Post Secret, which displays postcards sent in by people from around the world illustrating their deepest secrets. 

Regardless of whether or not they admit it each person has at least one television program that they are hooked on and that is a true guilty pleasure. A great gift to give to someone you are close to is their favorite series on DVD. My personal addiction is Greys Anatomy. While I became hooked on the show a few years ago I had never seen the first few seasons until my friend gave them to me for my birthday. I made my way through the first few DVD’s instantly and even to this day love to pull them out on a rainy day and watch them again. Even though some shows offer episodes online it is often times only the most recent ones that are available or you get stuck waiting for hours for it to download in low quality. This gift is great for both men and woman of all ages and is also perfect to give to an entire family. Don’t forget about some of the older shows too. People will love watching reruns of their favorite programs from when they were growing up or will be excited to share them with their kids. 

No matter how hard you try there are always going to be those few people who are impossible to shop for. Infamous for returning presents or those who never ask for anything for themselves- we all know at least one. Why they may seem somewhat overdone gift certificates are a great solution. If the person you are giving the present to really doesn’t have a need for any more materialistic things, a gift certificate to the movies or a day at the spa is a great way to force them to enjoy some time for themselves. If a spa day is a little out of your budget a card for a manicure and pedicure can always be used. For teenagers an iTunes gift card is perfect and is sure not to last long. If you’re shopping for children and just not sure what toys they already own a card to Build a Bear is a great way to get them involved in their present and allows them to create memories and a stuffed animal that they will love forever. Even if your friend or family member isn’t much of a shopper it is hard to find many who could resist a Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts certificate.