Gift ideas for the busiest gift giving season

(photo courtesy of Turquoise & Palm)

If you’re anything like me, you’ve got an endless list of gifts to buy and give this time of year: graduation, teacher’s gifts, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, weddings, and birthdays all seem to be condensed into a 4 week period. It’s overwhelming to think about trying to find something special, meaningful and unique for everyone. Who wants to give something that is just going to get tossed in the re-gift (gasp!) or donation (gasp gasp!) pile? We all want to be known as an awesome gift giver so the pressure is high. Plus, have you ever bought the.perfect.gift. and then forgot where it was? Maybe you bought something else in the meantime and then found it later? *facepalm Keep reading for suggestions on making gift giving easier and more meaningful for both the giver an recipient!

First off I suggest that you shop throughout the year for a couple of really good reasons:

1. You get things on sale
2. You find things while on vacation or traveling that you don’t normally see at home
3. You buy based on hints the person has given you

Second, you’ve got to have a designated home to keep your gifts.

Buying ahead of time is dangerous if you don’t have a spot designated in your home to keep them. You may have heard about the decadent sounding gift wrap room in the Spelling mansion in the 1980’s and thought “how ridiculous, why would I need that?” but I can tell you everyone needs at least a shelf in a closet or drawer for holding gifts that you buy ahead of time. This is also the perfect place to put giftwrap, ribbons, boxes, and tags. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve worked with someone in cleaning out a closet and they exclaim “OH, that’s where I put that teacher/mother/father/graduation gift I bought 6 months ago!” You’ve got to have a place to put these items so you can find them when gift time comes around.

And as obvious as it sounds, label those gifts WHEN you buy them. You can just put a sticky note on it that says “Laura-birthday” and you’re set. You may think you’ll remember but there’s a lot of life to be lived between the time you buy and give the gift so label it while it’s fresh in your memory.

Attending the #TSCSUMMIT this year gave me so many awesome ideas of new, entrepreneur- and locally-owned businesses to support which is a great way to give a gift. Giving books, especially ones signed by the author, is always a great gift option, as is locally made products like jewelry, linens, or coffee. Gifts that support causes that you support are also excellent choices because they allow you to share your interest in charities and causes that you believe in. Having a story with a gift always makes it more meaningful. You can never go wrong with monogrammed gifts that show you took the extra time and effort to personalize the gift. Artwork is another gift that, while extremely personal, allows you connect with the recipient and give them a reason to think of you when they look at and enjoy it.

Don’t forget about the gift of an experience, which is by far the best way to give a gift that keeps on giving with the memories you create. While this wasn’t a gift, some of the TSC alums attended a candle making workshop at Candlefish right after the Summit and brought home 2 lovely candles as a result! Look into classes or workshops you can gift or participate in with the recipient as a way to spend time together doing something you both enjoy. Gift certificates to eat at favorite restaurants or other fun experiences like seeing a concert, attending a museum, or  going to a spa together are easy ways to connect with that person and give the ultimate gift: your time. Thinking outside of the (gift) box gives you a more meaningful and cherished gift!

Do you have any favorite gifts you like to give? I’d love to hear your ideas in the Comments!

Happy organizing!