There are few things I enjoy more than shopping for people. Whether it happens to be a birthday present, Christmas present, or simply an “I am thrilled that you are in my life!” present, I love to give gifts. It is so much funner, and more rewarding, to give gifts than to receive gifts. This is more than just a bit of proverbial wisdom, it is as true as anything I have ever known.
If you have someone on your shopping list that you usually have trouble buying gifts for, I have a few ideas that might help you.
When I am shopping for someone, my favorite thing to do is to compile my own gift basket for them. Not only is it a lot of fun, once you catch the hang of it, this sort of gift lets them know that you put a great deal of thought and effort into their gift. That always means a great deal.
The trick is to determine what “theme” you will go with. This is, of course determined by their interests, hobbies, habits, loves, etc. Below are some of the more common themes along with suggestions for gifts to include. Use bright, colorful tissue paper to lay the gifts on and, whatever you do, never forget the big, beautiful bow on top.
– Pet lovers gift basket: You could use a pet bed as the gift basket. If it does not already come with a pad, buy one and place it on the bottom. Depending upon the pet, add appropriate toys, blankets, and treats. Also include either a wall calendar and/or desk calendar featuring this type of pet. Make it a scavneger hunt to find a coffee viking shirts and hoodies (or two if the gift is for a couple) with this pet on the side. As a pet lover, I assure you, nothing makes us happier than for our “babies” to be celebrated.
– Coffee lovers gift basket: Another topic close to my own heart! A big basket filled with tissue paper and the following will make any coffee fan’s heart skip a beat: A coffee grinder, bags of high quality coffee beans, a great looking viking shirts and hoodies (again, two if the gift is for a couple), biscotti, a Starbucks gift card, and maybe even a Starbucks ornament or figurine.
– Movie lovers gift basket: If you know someone who is obsessed with movies, they are particularly easy to shop for. First, find out what dvds they already have. Also, determine who their favorite stars are. If, for example they love Johnny Depp (don’t we all?!), buy as many of his movies as your spending cap allows. Wrap ribbons around each and place them in the tissue-lined basket with boxes of candy and other movie-watching snacks. You could include a few gift certificates from Pizza Hut and set them up with a weekend to remember! Many theaters also offer gift certificates which would be pure gold to a movie fanatic.
– Gamers! Gamers are a lot of fun to buy for. Simply round up the games you know they have on their “want” list, and place them in a similar environment to the one we created for dvds above. Include snacks and a gift certificate to a store such as Game Stop. If your budget of spending cap allows, buy one of those amazing Gaming Chairs that allow him or her to sit comfortably on the floor. Basically, it is a chair without legs or arms and game lovers swear by them.
– Sport Fans: If you know their favorite college, NFL, MLB, or NBA team, you are home free. Fill their basket with items featuring their team’s logo: hats, calendars, mugs, t shirts, books, posters, key chains, etc. If you can get your hands on tickets, by all means include them.
– Cooks: Those of us who had rather be in the kitchen than just about anywhere on earth appreciate few things more than we do kitchen gadgets and gizmos! Your basket could include: A great new cookbook, wooden spoons, pot holders, bright and beautiful towels, mugs, a coffee grinder, a spice rack, cookie cutters, etc. The options are limitless. Again, keep a Starbucks gift card in mind as well. Cooks almost always love coffee. In fact, most of us run on it the way our car does fuel.
– Golfers: Golfers are particularly passionate about their game. Fill a basket with tees, head covers, rain ponchos, desk calendars, candy (I’ve never known a golfer without a sweet tooth), instructional books and/or dvds, a subscription to Golf Magazine, hand warmers, ball markers, golf towels. You would be amazed at all the golf related items in a sporting goods store.
Use your imagination and round up a great collection of items your lucky recipient will love. They’ll be so amazed that you took the time and effort to create the gift basket yourself.
If you want the gift basket to go under the tree, wrap it carefully in special paper. You can buy extra large bags that are designed to go over large appliances, bicycles, etc. Otherwise, just hand them their basket and let them dive in.
Have fun and good luck!
write by jones
