Give your gift in an unusual container – a lovely glass jar, an old cigar box, a vintage birdcage…if the contents fit and the container is easy to send or carry, try it out this holiday season.

Here are some of our favorite ideas, depending on the recipient: The manner in which you give your holiday gift can make all the difference, and again, doesn’t need to cost much.

There’s no rule that says gifts have to come in paper-wrapped boxes with store-bought cards or name tags on top. The Road Warrior - an upscale travel set where style meets function.Įven without seeing them, all of these gifts evoke a particular mood and have a natural experiential component to them.The Carnivore’s Delight - the perfect gift idea for those who like their meals juicy, smoky, falling-off-the-bone, and wrapped in bacon.Perfect Day - a thoughtful gift idea that wishes a friend or family member a perfect day.Chill Mode - a self care kit to help someone you love slow down.Just Breathe - a tropical spa gift set for relaxation and rejuvenation.The individual items are delicious, but by putting them together they’re really creating something more powerful: the hope that the gift recipient will enjoy the tea towel, the companionship of loved ones, and the well-earned leisurely atmosphere of a day filled with nothing but possibility. Do you have a particular relationship with the merchants behind your gift? Or does the gift include one of your own favorite things? If so, share your enthusiasm!Ĭustomers naturally gravitate to gifts that embody an experience.

Does your gift have a philanthropic twist, such as products made of upcycled components or from brands with a social mission?.Did you find the gift under extraordinary circumstances? If it came from a one-of-a-kind market or merchant, or has an unusual feature you can explain to your recipient, it will be all the more compelling.Does your gift introduce the recipient to an up-and-coming artisan or entrepreneur they may not have heard of, but you know they’d love?.The story costs nothing, and every great gift has one if you know where to look. (Believe us, we’ve heard hundreds of them!) Your recipient will form a more lasting connection with your gift if you give them an interesting story to pass along to others. The one thing we're absolutely certain of after years in the gift giving business is that the most memorable gifts always have stories. You can never go wrong with chocolate. One of our favorites are these Holiday Gray & Smoked Salt Caramels from Seattle confectioner Fran Bigelow.If it’s an occasion for celebrating, think about adding party essentials like confetti poppers or party blowers.A little whimsy shouldn’t cost much but can go a long way. Add a “sprinkle”Īdding a dash of the unexpected will help your holiday gift stand out. Include a small favor or trinket that fits with the theme of your gift - and don’t be afraid to have fun with it. So when choosing gourmet holiday gifts to send to friends or loved ones , consider adding a related item such as a tray, bowl, tea towel or wine opener, depending on the theme of your gourmet gift. That makes sense, because it serves as a permanent reminder of your gift long after the perishables have been consumed. Always include a non-consumable item in your gifts of food & wineĪccording to the Business Gift Strategy Report, adding a non-consumable item to a gourmet gift basket increases its memorability by 30%. (Interesting aside: even numbers of flowers are generally only used for bouquets for sad occasions.) 2. Our brains naturally look for patterns, and an odd number of items forces our eyes to move around more and makes for a more stimulating visual experience. Like floral displays, gift boxes are most appealing when they contain an odd number of items. When creating a gift box, odd numbers of items are better Busy holiday shopping ? Whether you're just starting to plan your holiday gift list or looking for additional ideas before you checkout, keep in mind these gift giving tips for a memorable holiday season.

Holiday gift boxes