The art of gift-giving is, in my opinion, one of the very best parts of the holiday season.
Even when I was young, shopping for friends and family with my mother was a standard winter activity, and it’s still one of the things I most look forward to once the holidays roll around. There’s just something so lovely about finding that perfect gift for someone special — not to mention wrapping it up in pretty patterned paper, artfully topped with a delicate bow.
That said, I also know that however exciting finding gifts for people might be, it can easily become overwhelming — especially when we’re so determined to find something completely unique and special. But never fear, my friends — as someone who loves giving thoughtful gifts, I’ve learned that a little creativity goes a long way. Stumped about what to get your best friend? Your mother? That sweetheart of yours? Hoping to give them all something more than a gift-card?
Think outside the box this year with one of these cute, quirky, and altogether charming gift ideas.
1. Warm Mittens
In my experience, there’s nothing better than a pair of warm, cozy mittens when the weather turns chilly. In fact, it’s hard to go through a blustery Minnesota winter without them, making mittens a lovely, not to mention useful, gift idea. Look for a woolen or knit pair in a quirky pattern — there are lots of cute boutiques and shops that sell handmade pairs in all kinds of fun patterns, from the classic Nordic to trendy plaids to colorful, mismatched curiosities. Wrap them up in a festive box or even just tie a little bow around them — remember, ribbon is your friend when wrapping any gift, however simple it may be. And if you’re looking to add even more coziness, try adding a matching hat or scarf — it’ll make for a sweet, heartwarming gift that works for pretty much anyone.
2. For the Bookworm
If you’re a bookworm like me, you know how lovely it is to unwrap a brand new novel. Any kind of book, from a coffee table travel guide to a hardcover volume of love poems, makes a perfect gift for anyone who loves to read. Choose a nice copy and pair it with little “accessories” like page-marker flags, a homemade bookmark, and a cute little pen for writing in the margins — when you wrap it all up, try tucking the smaller things under the ribbon on top, almost like a centerpiece. I usually make homemade bookmarks out of simple cardstock and scrapbooking paper; however, if crafting isn’t your thing, there are also lots of adorable bookmarks for sale at most book stores. All together, this gift is like a cute literary survival kit of sorts — one that any avid reader will appreciate!
3. Quirky Socks
When in doubt, go with socks. Now, I’m aware that a random pair of socks might be considered a lame gift, but I have yet to meet a person who doesn’t enjoy them. Just like winter mittens, socks make for a cute, cozy gift that can work for nearly anyone. Whether they’re fuzzy, tall, patterned, or delightfully random, a good pair of socks is not only useful, but pretty fun to receive. Look for bright colors or silly prints — I once gave my sister socks with little sloths on them, and I own a couple myself that have Van Gogh prints. You can also buy multi-pack sets in quirky patterns, like squirrels or waffles or toadstools, and split them up amongst your friends — each person can have a different pattern. This makes for a nice little gift idea, especially if you’re hoping to do something small and simple for your friends. Tie each pair up in adorable bows, tuck in a little candy cane for good measure, and voila! The perfect holiday gift.
4. Holiday Treat Sampler
When the holiday season rolls around, it brings with it a glorious array of baked goods and holiday treats, from peppermint sticks to sugar cookies to gingersnaps — and a bundle of homemade goodies is a solid gift idea for anyone with a serious sweet-tooth. You can make a variety of different things — brownies, cookies, whatever it may be — and create a “sampler” of treats to try. Look for a cute holiday tin or even a little basket to wrap everything up in — tie it all together with some shiny ribbon and a cute gift tag. You can also go the candy route with peppermints, chocolates, and even popcorn or hot cocoa mix. Either way, it’s hard to go wrong with a little bundle of festive treats — and the time and love put into all the baking makes it all the more sweet.
5. For the Coffee Lover
For anyone who loves coffee as much I do, a coffee-themed gift is sure to delight — and it’s actually pretty simple to put together. Hunt around for a quirky coffee mug — lots of stores have ones with cool patterns or funny quotes — and fill it with smaller things like chocolate-covered coffee beans, hot cocoa mix, candy canes, or chocolates. You could even throw in a coffee shop gift card or a handmade coupon for a free coffee on you. Simply tuck everything in, or try putting everything in a clear treat-bag and tying it together with some cute ribbon first. However you choose to go about it, any coffee lover is bound to appreciate this simple little gift, and will probably get a lot of use out of the coffee mug, too.
6. Hand-made Art
If you’re fond of making things by hand, why not make homemade holiday gifts, too? It may seem small, but a piece of hand-made art is a thoughtful, unique gift — it requires time, effort, and a lot of love, making it a perfect reflection of holiday goodwill. This gift idea also comes with a multitude of fun options, which leaves a lot of room for creativity. If you like painting, for example, look for a mini canvas and easel set. These can be found at most arts and crafts stores, and can easily be displayed on a shelf or desk for a bit of sentimental, artsy flair. You can also try putting drawings or ink work in a small, store-bought frame — if you’re hoping to make it even more special, go ahead and decorate the frame with paint, markers, sequins, or whatever your heart desires. You could also hand-letter a favorite quote on wood or canvas board — this can be hung up on the wall as a sign or even just propped up on a shelf. However you go about it, a nice piece of art is not only bound to be appreciated, but also extremely fun to create!
7. A Miniature Stocking Full of Holiday Goodies
If you’re looking to give your friends something small this year, filling up a miniature stocking with a couple of cute things makes for a simple yet lovely little gift — and it can work for pretty much everyone on your list. Look for mini stockings in different colors — they’re usually in the holiday section of most stores, near the other stockings — and stock up on some bags of individually-wrapped chocolates or candy canes. Split up the candy between the stockings until you’ve filled each one, and then use festive holiday ribbon to tie little gift tags on top. You can also try adding small non-candy items, like lip balms or hand lotions, for a bit of extra charm. Either way, this gift idea is simple to put together and fun to receive — and the cute little stocking can even double as room decor!
8. Letter-Writing Kit
While some might call writing letters old-fashioned, I think it’s a delightfully sentimental practice that we really shouldn’t give up — and if you know anyone who feels the same way, a homemade stationery it up with letter-writing essentials — look for pretty stationery, envelopes, binder clips, stamps, and fun pens or pencils. You could even try tucking in desktop supplies like multi-colored paper clips, notepads, or cute stamp and ink sets — the possibilities are endless. Just add a shimmery bow and a cute gift tag on top, and you’ll be all set!
9. Makeup Bag Sampler
If you like the idea of building up a “kit” but don’t want to give candy or stationery items, you can easily create a makeup or “spa” version. To put this fabulous little gift together, find a cute makeup bag in a fun color or pattern, and then fill it with smaller things like mascara, mini eyeshadow palettes, hand lotions, nail polish, or hand mirrors. It’s also a good idea to search for small makeup samplers or multi-pack kits, which can be found at most cosmetics stores; you can easily split these up and use them for multiple gifts. Once you’ve hunted down all your makeup items, wrap them up in pretty holiday ribbon — you could even try wrapping each item individually to make it even more fun to open. Then, for the perfect finishing touch, tie a cute gift tag on the outside of the bag. Fun to give and fun to receive, this fabulous little gift is sure to please any makeup lover — plus, the makeup bag can even double as a gift bag, so no wrapping required!
10. Blanket Scarf
Mittens aren’t the only kind of winter gear fit for a holiday gift — from cozy hats to fuzzy scarves, warm winter clothes are always nice to receive. This year, look for a quirky blanket scarf in a cool pattern — lots of boutiques sell colorful plaids and florals that are both fashionable and functional. With their bigger size and fuzzy material, blanket scarves are perfect for bundling up on chilly winter days, and can even double as a shawl. Fold it up and tie a shimmery bow around it for a simple but sweet holiday gift; if you feel like adding more, hunt down a pair of matching mittens or a cozy winter hat and tie everything together. You’ll have a perfectly heartwarming gift on your hands that’s sure to be a hit.
11. Survival Kit
If you’re hoping to give something completely unexpected this year, try making a daily “survival kit” full of random but useful necessities — fill a festive tin or box with portable tissue packs, first aid ointment, scotch tape, colorful bandages, gauze, or even a tape measure. Some might laugh at this idea, but I think it’s actually pretty creative — you can fill your kit with whatever you think is useful, and then wrap each item individually with festive ribbon. Throw in a miniature first-aid box or even some stain remover wipes — it’ll feel random, yes, but that’s half of the charm. Plus, there’s no doubt that these items will come in handy somewhere along the road — making a “survival kit” a super fun gift idea.
12. Kitchen Supply Kit
Again, if you’re hoping to put together an unexpected gift, making a “kit” of some sort is always a fun choice — and it can work perfectly with a kitchen theme. If you know someone who adores cooking or baking, why not make them a kitchen “survival” kit? For this one, find a bigger glass measuring cup or container and use it as your “box;” fill it up with kitchen goodies like spatulas, wooden spoons, pretty dish towels, or cute measuring spoons. You could even choose to stick to a baking theme — look for unique cookie cutters, cookie stamps, icing materials, sprinkles, muffin cups, and even basic baking mixes. However you go about it, this little kit makes a fun and functional gift for anyone who loves spending time in the kitchen — it’s as charming as it is sweet.
Happy holidays, and good luck in all of your holiday gift endeavors!