As the holiday season approaches, finding meaningful, intentional gifts is key to making the holidays feel special.
Instead of rushing to buy something generic, take a moment to think about what would bring joy and be truly useful to each person. With some creativity and thoughtfulness, you can make gift giving a memorable, personal experience.
What’s “intentional gift giving”?
Intentional gifts reflect the recipient’s personality and interests, showing them that you’ve put thought into it.
Whether you’re shopping big box stores, secondhand, crafting something homemade, or gifting experiences, each of these methods can offer a thoughtful approach that emphasizes quality over quantity.
First… our ode to Gift Giving:
Here we tailor gifts to the person. Think about their hobbies, lifestyle, and values. What do they love to do? What brings them comfort?
We find alternatives at secondhand stores or local small businesses. Thrift, vintage stores, and local small businesses carry unique finds that are perfect for thoughtful gifts. And even better, it’s a sustainable way to give.
We opt for homemade gifts when it makes sense. From baked goods to handcrafted items, making something yourself can feel much more personal.
And lastly, we will always prioritize experiences over things. Tickets, classes, or even a day out can be far more meaningful and memorable than physical gifts.
Gift Guides for Different Types of Recipients
Here are some intentional, thoughtful gift ideas to suit a variety of personalities and interests. Yes, some of these gifts are from Amazon. As long as you’re not buying simply to buy, I don’t see an issue with it at all. And, there are small and sustainable businesses that utilize Amazon as well.
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When shopping for young kids, consider gifts that are engaging and educational. Personally, I try to stay away from anything that a) makes noise and b) won’t last more than one season.
This age bracket is perfect for experience gifts. Consider tickets to a zoo, aquarium, or children’s museum. Also, a crowd pleaser, a night at a hotel with a pool! They’re really easy to please at this age. While it’s easy to go overboard, try not to. They have to store it somewhere so be aware of that.
These suggestions all include building, tactile, and fun attached to them. Kids learn through play and it’s so important to give them freedom to learn. (If you haven’t seen the YouTuber, Marvin Blend that makes music out of the marble runs, go watch!)
Tweens and teens enjoy gifts that feel unique and encourage self-expression. Any gifts given to this age should be highly personalized. Again, this age bracket is perfect for gifted lessons, new sports equipment (if needed), and “unique” experiences like indoor sky diving.
Ask them what they want. It may be that they want to pick out their own clothes, so cash is king. My tween is in this mindset – we were told no clothes this year. She wants to find her own and that’s ok with me!
All of the suggestions above provide an outlet to the tween & teen in your life. They thrive for coziness, privacy, and want to be older than they truly are. (Those chicken nuggets went viral on TikTok and teens are having so much fun with them… that’s why I included a “kid” toy in this section)
Raise a hand to the homebodies, the aesthetic and cozy homeowner, and those that appreciate gifts that bring warmth and comfort to their surroundings and self.
This bracket is for the low-key who’s not afraid of getting their hands dirty from time to time. They take care of all that enter, sometimes at the expense of themselves. Remind them that they can do all the things and take a break.
I would like every single on of these things from a confessed homebody. And yes, there’s always an occasion to give someone the gift of fresh, sustainable, cozy sheets.
Gift something that will elevate their kitchen experience, but focus on heirloom quality goods and helpful things they might not buy for themselves. A lot of people are replacing kitchen items with sustainable, earth-friendly, and “clean” products (opt for glass rather than plastic).
For people that fall into this bracket, I bet they’d love experiences, such a virtual tasting session, cooking classes, and enjoying a good meal (that they don’t have to cook). I don’t love giving glassware UNLESS it’s unique and they need to fill a spot.
All of these items would be so cherished by anyone who loves to cook and drink. While I enjoy dabbling in the kitchen, I confess I’m not the main cook in our house. BUT, we have been switching out our kitchen items with healthier alternatives.
Gift ideas for active nature lovers and wellness aficionados should be practical, sustainable, and mindful. Our family loves the outdoors and being active, but storage can be an issue.
For experience gifts, there are so many! If you’re on the west coast, an annual National Park Pass would be a great idea. Another option would be a local class pass (at the place of their choosing) and/or a wellness retreat voucher. All of those options would encourage self care and enjoyment of the outdoors.
Again, great options for everyone who enjoys being active. Our family owns the kayak and paddleboard already. They’re great for beginners watching to do something active without spending a ton of money and storage is minimal.
Let’s not forget about stocking stuffers. All of these suggestions are useful, whether in a practical sense or a bringer of joy.
Stocking stuffers are my favorite part! Skip the candy and things the receiver will never use and opt for lotto tickets and useful tools.
Experiences > Stuff … Always
While gifts are wonderful, sometimes the best present is an experience. Experiences can be as simple as a day out or as grand as a weekend getaway, but they all leave lasting memories that far outshine any physical item. Here are a few of my absolute favorites.
Tickets to a concert or show – Give the gift of live entertainment that aligns with their interests.
Sign up for a fun workshop – Look for local workshops on pottery, art, or music for something hands-on and engaging.
Create a custom “adventure day” itinerary. Make it simple and include coffee at their favorite spot, a short hike, and a special dinner.
Thoughtful Giving That Means More
Intentional gift-giving doesn’t have to be complex. By taking the time to tailor your gift to each person’s unique interests, exploring sustainable options, and choosing experiences over “stuff,” you can make this holiday season memorable, thoughtful, and meaningful.
If you need any personalized suggestions, let me know. I’m here to make your holiday season joyous without the overwhelm.
Tell me… what’s your go-to favorite thing to give?
Simply Tamed 