The holidays are coming and you are looking for that just-right gift. The one that’s unique and thoughtful and takes the person into consideration. So here are some unique holiday gift ideas for your consideration. Not sponsored in any way shape or form.
One month delivery of a box of organic produce
That’s right. In many parts of the country you can gift someone with a single delivery from one of the organic box delivery services. If your loved one likes to eat and cook healthy, this is an excellent (and consumable) gift. Usually from $25-35, depending on the size of the box.
Two beautifully wrapped artisan chocolates or truffles
You really need to pick a high-end chocolate maker. In Santa Fe, I was lucky enough to find the exceptional Kakawa. Their salted caramel squares were better than sex. Under $10 for two.
Dog Tarot cards
I saw these in Santa Fe and I absolutely had to call them to your attention. I know they’re right for someone on your list.
Museum Tickets
Whether it’s an art museum, a natural history museum or something else, chances are your community has an exhibition of interest to someone you love.
If not a museum, you can buy a book of movie tickets and AAA usually has them at a discount. What a great gift for the movie lover in your life!
Buddha heads
If someone in your life would appreciate one of these, you can find them many places including on overstock.com, where I’ve bought all mine.
Two pears, a bottle of moscato and a recipe for poached pears
If your friend loves to cook, this is a super-cool gift. Wrap it all in a pretty dishtowel. How easy is that? And thoughtful?
Fine cheeses
I hate to bring up Santa Fe again, but the Cheesemonger there is fabulous. I have to find one as good in my city. A few pieces of great cheese, a box of nice crackers all packaged up in a basket? Hey, I’d like to get that!
Drive a stock car or be a fighter pilot for a day
You don’t want to leave out the traditional man in your life, right? Or the female car fan? Some of the raceways offer this and it would make a great gift for the right person. The fighter pilot thing is usually in a simulator. Yep. Sounds like fun, no?
Handwarmer
Zippo makes a good one for about $15. It IS winter, after all, in most parts of the country. Sort of. If your loved one spends a lot of time outside in the cold, it’s a fabulous gift.
Make-your-own T-shirt, sweatshirt, etc
I did this one year at Zazzle for my nephew. Also mugs, buttons and so much else, and the quality is excellent, not like those old-school decals we used to see. Love love love this.
Here’s one of my shopping secrets:
I love One Kings Lane. Shop carefully and you can get some really beautiful things at incredibly low prices. Not everything is a bargain, but I shop there a lot and find great deals.
Well, that’s it for this post. I’ll have another on this same topic soon, but this should get you started.
Oh, wait. Did you read my post about great books to give for Christmas, HERE? You must.
Shop early and enjoy the holidays! Oh, and add any of your creative ideas in the Comments, ok?
I really need these ideas, Carol! Even though we don’t celebrate Christmas December is a crazy (and wonderful) month for us. My husband and son’s birthdays are a week apart and my dad’s in on Christmas! I never know what to buy them. My husband would love the organic deliveries (do you have a specific one to recommend?) and we love museums. I would love the hand warmers. It’s only October and my hands are already cold.
BTW I got my cell case from Zazzle with my blog name on it (when I’m not using my mophie) after a blogger friend told me about it.
Cathy, they are generally local–so you usually have to search for your area. In the SF Bay area I use Farm Fresh to You which delivers to the door. It’s great!
The idea of a box of organic produce sounds fab! I might get one for my husband, we are both interested in cooking and fresh produce, but I never thought of getting it a present.
I love the dog tarot cards! I want them! Great ideas! Sometimes gift giving can be so difficult because we get stuck in a rut! I love your outside the box thoughts!
Wow! So many great ideas and a few I hadn’t thought of. I need to taste that chocolate! My favorite was the museum tickets. Would be perfect for that person who has everything. Thanks.
We found the best cheesemonger here in West Cape May! They get excellent local breads and crackers, too. He introduced me to chocolate bread with brie…o.m.g. My hips hate him for it. It’s a great gift for locals, but have to find something else for those who aren’t.
Thanks for the suggestions.
b
I’m starting early and these are great ideas! The box of organic produce would be perfect for my children, who I want to eat better, but can’t afford it on their budget!
There are some really wonderful ideas here! I love the idea of signing someone up for a CSA. Museum passes are another great idea. So glad you recommended wrapping things in dish towels. I would say scarves too. The wrapping works as a second present and it’s so much better for the environment. You can find beautiful scarves at the thrift store for a quarter.
I love the cheese idea! My family is full of cheese lovers, so it’s a perfect gift. Thank you. For some reason, despite the abundant cheese love, I never considered giving it as a gift. Mmmm… my mouth waters just considering it.
I would love a gift of cheese personally, as weird as that may be. And subscriptions are great! So are those monthly subscriptions where you get a box of something. So cool to have a gift each month!
As usual a list of wonderful ideas….cheese and bread? I would buy it and it would never make it to the person I wanted to give it too. we are awful….But isn’t it wonderful to recieve a gift from somewhere exotic and exciting? And isn’t it more fun to send it?
I often go to Baby stores, like Babies R US and pay something on a layaway. I choose car seats or necessities and I do it in honor of my nieces and nephews. I ask a lot of questions from the lay-a-way person as I want to help responsible people as much as I can.
Another thing I love to give is signed books…and beautiful stationary. For young marrieds, I go to their registry and find what they did not complete when they married and send something on their list.
I’m totally laughing here! I was just commenting to a dear friend that we needed Buddhas for our homes! I live in the mountains of Lake Tahoe and, believe me, there are no Buddhas here. I’m heading over to Overstock.com right now — she’ll be so thrilled! Thanks Carol!
Kimberly XO
Thank you, thank you for your ideas. It seems to get tougher every year to come up with gift ideas. I like the thought of tickets to somewhere unique, or everything needed to bake something special for the chef in my life! Thanks for sharing, I’ll be looking forward to more ideas.
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I really need these ideas, Carol! Even though we don’t celebrate Christmas December is a crazy (and wonderful) month for us. My husband and son’s birthdays are a week apart and my dad’s in on Christmas! I never know what to buy them. My husband would love the organic deliveries (do you have a specific one to recommend?) and we love museums. I would love the hand warmers. It’s only October and my hands are already cold.
BTW I got my cell case from Zazzle with my blog name on it (when I’m not using my mophie) after a blogger friend told me about it.
Great ideas!
Cathy, they are generally local–so you usually have to search for your area. In the SF Bay area I use Farm Fresh to You which delivers to the door. It’s great!
The idea of a box of organic produce sounds fab! I might get one for my husband, we are both interested in cooking and fresh produce, but I never thought of getting it a present.
I love the dog tarot cards! I want them! Great ideas! Sometimes gift giving can be so difficult because we get stuck in a rut! I love your outside the box thoughts!
I always love your shopping suggestions. So creative. So fun! I have no imagination when it comes to gifts. Where have you been all my life?!
Wow! So many great ideas and a few I hadn’t thought of. I need to taste that chocolate! My favorite was the museum tickets. Would be perfect for that person who has everything. Thanks.
We found the best cheesemonger here in West Cape May! They get excellent local breads and crackers, too. He introduced me to chocolate bread with brie…o.m.g. My hips hate him for it. It’s a great gift for locals, but have to find something else for those who aren’t.
Thanks for the suggestions.
b
Awesome ideas!
Fun ideas! We are getting my mother in law a season pass to the gardens around here this year.
I’m starting early and these are great ideas! The box of organic produce would be perfect for my children, who I want to eat better, but can’t afford it on their budget!
Great and unique ideas, Carol – thank you for the inspiration!
There are some really wonderful ideas here! I love the idea of signing someone up for a CSA. Museum passes are another great idea. So glad you recommended wrapping things in dish towels. I would say scarves too. The wrapping works as a second present and it’s so much better for the environment. You can find beautiful scarves at the thrift store for a quarter.
Your ideas are always awesome! LOVE many of these!
I love the cheese idea! My family is full of cheese lovers, so it’s a perfect gift. Thank you. For some reason, despite the abundant cheese love, I never considered giving it as a gift. Mmmm… my mouth waters just considering it.
I would love a gift of cheese personally, as weird as that may be. And subscriptions are great! So are those monthly subscriptions where you get a box of something. So cool to have a gift each month!
There are several here that I love, but my favorite is the museum idea!
As usual a list of wonderful ideas….cheese and bread? I would buy it and it would never make it to the person I wanted to give it too. we are awful….But isn’t it wonderful to recieve a gift from somewhere exotic and exciting? And isn’t it more fun to send it?
I often go to Baby stores, like Babies R US and pay something on a layaway. I choose car seats or necessities and I do it in honor of my nieces and nephews. I ask a lot of questions from the lay-a-way person as I want to help responsible people as much as I can.
Another thing I love to give is signed books…and beautiful stationary. For young marrieds, I go to their registry and find what they did not complete when they married and send something on their list.
Love these ideas of yours too Carol!
Okay, this is the best holiday gift guide ever! I am definitely intrigued by the dog tarot cards …
These really are such unique ideas! I know my Mom would LOVE the one month of produce delivery – definitely might steal your idea ;]
xx katie // A Touch of Teal
I am secretly hopping someone gets me museum tickets, thats a brilliant idea and very thoughtful.
I’m totally laughing here! I was just commenting to a dear friend that we needed Buddhas for our homes! I live in the mountains of Lake Tahoe and, believe me, there are no Buddhas here. I’m heading over to Overstock.com right now — she’ll be so thrilled! Thanks Carol!
Kimberly XO
Love the produce box idea. I would totally love to get that as a gift!
What a great list of ideas! I will definitely be using some of these!
Thank you, thank you for your ideas. It seems to get tougher every year to come up with gift ideas. I like the thought of tickets to somewhere unique, or everything needed to bake something special for the chef in my life! Thanks for sharing, I’ll be looking forward to more ideas.