Getting the perfect gift for someone is hard, and it’s even harder when you’re on a budget. Here are some ideas for personalized gifts that your friend is sure to remember.
1. Start Baking
Homemade cookies, breads, cakes—as long as you avoid making fruitcake, who doesn’t love getting baked goods? Baked goods are a great way to show affection for someone, particularly if you personalize them. Do a little digging and find out your friend’s favorite kind of cookie. Or if you have a specialty, start a new tradition and cook it up every holiday season. Plus if you have kids, you can put them to work and make it a family event. Printing out labels or stickers can also put some personality into how your package your sweets.
2. Make Someone a CD
Not to promote pirated music, but this is a nice gift and popular favor at weddings, showers, bar mitzvahs, etc. And it’s personal. Customize the case and you’ll be giving a unique gift that people will appreciate. And the best way to learn about new music is through friends, so if you are lucky enough to have a lot of friends who are DJs, encourage them to share. Who said the “mixed tape” was dead?
3. Take Someone Out for a Drink
Coffee, wine, or a cocktail can all be inexpensive, and it’s spending time together that is the true gift. Don’t make it just another ordinary meet up. Take the time to listen and to laugh, so no complaining about jobs, significant others, or the weather. Look for an unusual venue, like a new place you’ve been meaning to try, and go during a less busy time. For example, in New York, boutique hotels are hot places for locals to hang out. Not only do they have lots of comfortable places to sit and lounge, but you’re more likely to get great service with a dash of glamour. Pretend you’re on vacation for a moment, and mentally you will be.
4. Go Green
Bring someone flowers, a small plant, or a mini herb garden. Everyone loves getting green gifts and keeping our leafy friends alive is a year-long endeavor. Seed packets are also nice gifts for someone who already has a garden and you may even find yourself reaping the fruits from their future harvest.
5. Buy Someone a URL
For about $10 a year, you can reserve a URL for someone. Make it silly, romantic, or practical. If you know someone with a business idea or just has something to say, this is an original and useful gift. And since it’s one of the first steps to building a Web site, it may inspire the recipient to set a project in motion, right in time for the new year.
6. Manicures
$10 manicures are a dime a dozen, and for women, spa treatments rank high on the list of desired gifts. Share the experience with a friend and get quality time together, plus you’ll both leave with the perfect holiday party accessory: polished nails. And lots of manicurists make house calls, believe it or not, so think about getting a group of friends together and making an evening out of it. Throw on a facemask and you’ll get great photos, too (just don’t post them to Facebook). And gents, don’t pretend like you don’t need a little beautifying as well. I’ve yet to meet a man who doesn’t love the occasional mud mask.
7. Custom Stationary
Are you a designer/artist/illustrator or self-taught Photoshop guru? With some nice paper and a good printer, you can give someone their own stationary for writing holiday thank you cards. Don’t just use clipart and a template; get inspired and use your skills. If you know a budding entrepreneur, offer to do their business cards as a gift. If you do a good job, who knows, you may find yourself with a second career.
