If you often wonder what to give your loved ones when birthdays and anniversaries eventually roll around, we are here to suggest some simple yet thoughtful ways that work every single time.

Gift giving can be fun and exciting. There’s something so thrilling about watching your friends unwrap a gift you got for them. But shopping for a present can be daunting and people often find themselves hopelessly lost, strolling through departmental store aisles looking for something that’s just right. If you often wonder what to give your loved ones when birthdays and anniversaries eventually roll around, we are here to suggest some simple yet thoughtful ways that work every single time. 

A cute trio of succulents instead of flowers
A bunch of flowers can be lovely but they will eventually wither and die and that’s just sad. Why not gift plants instead of flowers? This idea can be reused as many times as you want and you can keep it fresh every single time. You just have to get a little crafty with the pots and planters and use different plants every time. Succulents are pretty and they are easy to take care of as well so they make for neat little gifts. Tie a pretty ribbon around the pot and you have a hassle free gift ready in minutes. 

Scented candles in various shapes and sizes
Aromas are a great way to add some cheer and calm into someone’s life as well as give a warm and bright touch to a space. The good thing is that everyone has a fragrance they like. Gift scented candles in various shapes and sizes (and of course aromas) whenever you find yourself unsure about what to give someone. You can put them in a pretty little box or basket. Vanilla and lavender are scents you can hardly ever go wrong with. You can also put in a small vial or two of essential oils and a diffuser in the box of candles to make it a complete package. 

Little luxuries
Talking about candles, you could also opt to give people little things to make their daily lives more comfortable. If your friend loves to take naps, consider a soft cotton blanket they can cuddle with. If your friend loves taking a long bath at the end of a hectic workday, buy some soothing bath sea salts and thrown in a bottle of some nice wine to go with it. Getting someone signed up for a massage or a manicure pedicure session would work really well if you think he/she could do with some pampering. 

Customized jewelry 
Giving jewelry can be a tad bit tricky as not everyone likes them. But if you friend or relative has a fondness for accessories, you can definitely consider picking some unique pieces to give as gifts. There are many online jewelry businesses that customize jewelry to meet specific demands. If you can, try to create a piece that reflects their taste and passions. Otherwise, many businesses like Aamo and Meraki Nepal already have really nifty designs that you can choose from. Preeti Agarwal, gemologist and pranic healer among other things, also makes really good jewelry. You can visit her Instagram page to choose a piece you would like to gift. 

Personalized art that can be a great focal point in a room 
Show your friend how much you care for them by making them something special. If you are the artistic kind, get a canvas and unleash your talents. If not, there are many other ways you can create art beyond a watercolor painting – make a collage, use photoshop to touch up a favorite photo of you and your friend to give it an interesting twist, or simply use magazine cutouts to describe what your friend means to you. What makes this idea outstanding is that the artwork you end up creating looks great and holds a lot of nostalgic value as well.

Thematic gift box 
Gift boxes don’t have to be routine and tacky. Get creative with it. If your friend is an avid reader, fill a large box with some books, bookmarks, and other book related things like merchandise of their favorite book characters. If your friend is into self-care, make a good box set of body wash, lotions, face packs and fragrant soaps. If your friend is a make-up enthusiast, you can create a box with some products they have been meaning to try out. The options are endless. You just have to think a bit and put in some effort. This well-meaning gift is sure to make the receiver’s heart jump with joy. 

The thrill of a new experience 
If someone already has enough stuff, think beyond items and give an experience instead. When you prepay for an event or experience, your friend or family member gets a fun adventure to remember and possibly gains new skills and memories – all of which are much more valuable than a new speaker set or a pair of shoes. Sign them up for a cooking, photography, or swimming classes or give them a staycation in your area. The idea here is to give them a chance to learn or experience something new. 

Get them a membership
Consider it the gift that keeps on giving. Gifting a membership means your recipient gets access to certain perks, usually for a year.  If you are unsure where to start, we suggest you choose a club or association that would mean something to your recipient, and then contact that association to ask if there’s a gift membership available for purchase. Every time recipients access those membership benefits, they’re going to think of you. You could sign them up for gym or subscribe to a couple of their favorite magazines for them.

What money can’t buy
If you don’t know what to buy for a loved one, consider giving them the gift of your time. You could take them out on a long drive and treat them to brunch at the end of it. Make it a point to turn off your phone or at least keep it in silent mode throughout the duration of your “date”. Sometimes the best gifts are ones that money can’t buy. Alternatively, you could also pack a picnic and go somewhere to just relax and chill. 

 
• gift
 
• birthdays
 
• anniversaries