10 Fun Holiday Gift Ideas

Helllloooo Black Friday! Are you a Black Friday shopper? Like an IN-PERSON, in the cold, with the crowds and the holiday cheer at 2am kind of shopper? I only know ONE.... ok... two people who actually go out and tackle the fun of finding a good deal: My friend Cathy and her daughter Hannah. Those are adventurous souls.

But if you are like 99% of my other friends, you're probably looking online. I love it. And I do it often... as proven by my need to have an epic delivery goodies box. Probably because gift giving is my Love Language! Well.... if I'm being honest: Gift Giving and 1:1 conversations. Oh those two things give me life!!!! And might I add, I'm pretty damn good at both. Ask my husband, Jeff, he would 10000% agree. I've floored him with surprise adventures, activities and physical items and well.... he knows how much I love talking. Gifts and 1:1 conversations go hand in hand because the more you talk to someone the more you find out what they like, need, and want from life. Then the gift ideas just flow from there.

So over the years I have found some gifts end up being really special and applicable to a variety of people. So let me share :)

1) Legacy Books for Mothers, Fathers and Grandparents. If you are in my family, I have bought this for you. It is a gift for both the giver and receiver. These book asks the receiver to answer questions about their life: things that were meaningful, unique stories and memorable experiences. Then once complete the book is given back to the giver. I already have several back. Reading them has connected us together in such a beautiful way. And if you have ever lost someone close, you will know how much you will treasure this when they are gone. Not to mention it makes the receiver feel so honored you care about them enough to want to pass on their story. Buy them! Make friends buy them. This might be my all time favorite gift.

2) Gift Cards. What? Gift cards?? That's the epic and meaningful gift Marcy recommends? Hear me out. Gift cards paired with a hand written note make a HUGE impact. I wouldn't recommend buying your Aunt Lisa a gift card, writing "Thank you. I love you" and calling it a day. You GOTTA write a heart felt card. Get deep. Be honest and vulnerable. Tell them why they are special. Thank them for being part of your story and how their presence positively impacts your life. You would be surprised how often I hear later, post gift, that it was a PRICELESS gesture. So here's what I do.... I buy $5, $10 and $25 cards (depending on the relationship) and have a stack of Thank You cards on hand. I promise if you treat someone to a cup of coffee with a beautiful thank you inside, they will remember that for years over the soap set you got them.

3) Send a Meal! Have a friend who runs a business? Works multiple jobs? Is a parent? This gift is for them! While a DoorDash or UberEats gift cards are nice, having one less meal to cook/prepare can be EPIC! This gift idea requires you to order the actual meal and have it scheduled so they have to do NOTHING! Oh good lordddd my bestie, Juli, has done this for me and I have never felt more appreciated & loved. She even had coffee and breakfast delivered EARLY (because babies wake up early) the day we got home with Reece. Other ways to make this work: try sending breakfast platters, charcuterie plates or dessert trays. Now there is a second variation to this idea too..... Gold Belly! It is a pricy option buttttt have you ever craved New York bagels and lived in Maryland? This brings FRESH treats from around the country to you! It's pretty damn cool! My sister coordinated this for my father's birthday. Oh dannngggg fresh bagels from Ess-a-Bagels and ice cream from Licks in Austin?? Oooooooooo baby!! Trust me.

4) Games! Ok.... at face value it seems anticlimactic. So it might not seem like a winning ideas but trust me, the joy comes from the receiver PLAYING with friends and family. And they will thank you after that, deeply! I have had many laughs until I cried nights from game night. There are a ton of fun ones. My personal favorite is "Table Talk Conversation Cards". A gift that is both 1:1 conversation and a physical gift??!?! The game was literally made for ME. There are a TON of variations- for kids, adults, romantic relationships, etc... I've bought nearly all of them for myself and others. Maybe I'm imposing my love for 1:1 conversations on my friends? Don't care! So fun, and so meaningful to learn something new about someone you know. Want deep 1:1 topics? Try- Spark by Seek Discomfort. Need laughter? Try- Cards Against Humanity, Exploding Kittens, Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza. Or use your brain with- Uno, Mexican Train, Sequence, Bocce, yard Yahtzee. Amazon has them all!

5) Hire a Cleaning Service! Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes! Who doesn't love a clean house? And who wouldn't love it to just be done without actually doing the work?!? Do this!! My Dad gifted me this on my 1st Mother's Day. What a gift!!! Well done Dad. Well done! Live in Frederick, MD and need a recommendation? OH I got you! I use a cleaning service run by my friend Cathy (Adventurous Black Friday Shopping Cathy). No one better. Message me in the comment section for details!

6) ASL Thankful Hoodies. I think I bought 6 of these last year and gave them to 6 amazing friends who I am so thankful for. Not only are these so kind and stylish, but it's a business with a cause. Language Priority is a Deaf-Owned business bringing awareness around deafness, language acquisition, American Sign Language, Deaf culture and community. As an ASL-English interpreter this is very important to my soul too. Being able to share and give back makes this gift feel extra special. In addition their "Family Forever & Always" onesie was one of the most touching & meaningful gifts we received after our adoption was complete. (Thank you Bessie xoxox). Shop around! They have such a variety of cool items!

7) Digital Frame. This is a perfect way to actually view your pictures. I take 23921093243 pictures a day and unless I go into my phone and review them, I never see them. Get one of these! We have 2 in our house. Last year we bought one for family members and they are OBSESSED. Anyone can add pictures to the frame using email. It sits in their office so as the day goes on, and they chip away at emails, they get a constant reminder of the people, places and events that bring them joy! If you are a picture person, this is a MUST.

8) The Flying Barrel. You get to make quality wine and beer. My husband loves to get together with his buddy and brew up cases of his favorite kind of beer. This is a Frederick, MD shop but I'm certain cities around the US have something similar. Beer requires 2 visits, 2 weeks apart, for several hours. So they hangout, catch up, laugh, drink beer and make something. Those get-together recharge him. As for me, I've made red wine with a group of amazing ladies. So fun for a group of 5-6 people and I love that you actually get something at the end. Ohhhh and be sure you make your own labels! I've then gone on to gift my wine with my label to friends/family. A gift you can give? Win-Win!

9) Get weird. Pizza Taco Cat in Space apparel. I LOVE this shirt and cant stop laughing every time I see it & wear it. Guaranteed to make you and you receiver smile.... and probably question your sanity. But dude.... so funny. Not a fan of cats? They've got you covered with other weird images: pigs, pineapples, dinosaurs, llamas, sloths.... etc. Let your weirdness roll!

10) Book of the Month! Every year my Sister-in-Law swoons over getting books. So every year she gets a subscription. You would think after 10+ years she'd want something else. But she LOVES this. I am not a book person myself. I wish I was! I'm trying! Every year I set the goal of two books (armature play for someone like Kristen). Pretty sure this year I failed. Wait no! I listened to three books in Florida.... but I guess that's doesn't seem the same as sitting and reading. Point- if you have a book person in your life- they will love this! Because if Kristen keeps asking, and she already has 29184039354 books, this must be worth it!

Ok I lied..... One more bonus gift idea because I have had SO many people tell me they LOVE this, and its worth the price.....

11) Ember Coffee Cup. A perfect cup of the perfect temperature coffee. People swear by this. My sister has TWO! I mean, this must be epic, right? And if you have the most perfect cup of coffee your day is beginning.... well.... perfect! What a great mindset to start the day! Get that good & positive energy flowing and let law of attraction do its thing! Ah! I'm tempted to get one for myself as I sit here typing drinking a luke-warm cup of decaf. Hmmm.... those people may be on to something.

Ok ok ok! That's it. Hopefully I've given you ideas for every type of relationship! From foodie to spiritual yogi I think I have you covered! Gift giving is the best, especially when it is unexpected and from the heart. So happy gift giving season!!!

Did I miss something? Or do you have an epic idea that you love!?!?!? Please please please comment below!!! I might even send you a cup of coffee and a thank you card for sharing ;)