Finding the right gift for your friends and loved ones is hard under normal circumstances. Massive crowds, the hustle and bustle, and an overwhelming amount of options all make holiday shopping a stressful experience. This year, shoppers have to brave each of those difficulties with the added complication of the pandemic.
Like many other shoppers, you’re likely a bit conflicted as to where to get your gifts this season. Although the circumstances of this year might make the holidays more stressful, there are also more options available than ever before. Here’s 10 of our favorites.
1. These personalized cards, ordered online and mailed for you
Before you pick out gifts for those who make the list, you’ll want to send out cards to your broader set of friends and family with a photo of the family showing them you’ve survived the pandemic. But with the Covid-19 lockdowns, avoiding the need to go out and buy cards and mail them is obviously better for you and your community. With Waldograms, you can put your mask down and send cards out to your entire list in a few minutes right from your phone or desktop.
Waldograms are beautiful, personalized cards that you can send right from the web or your mobile, printed and mailed for you. Simply pick one of Waldo’s professionally-designed templates, upload your own photo if you wish, and customize your message. You can even upload your own photo as a stamp! Once you’ve completed your design, you can select and add your contacts from your phone or even upload a CSV via your desktop, and Waldo will mail each card right to your friends and family with first class USPS.
If you want more time for the important things this holiday season, Waldograms are a great way to cut down on the repetitive, time-consuming task of mailing Christmas cards. Each card is printed in 5×7, 120# (14PT) UV-coated gloss covers, sealed, stamped, and delivered on your behalf — all for a mere $1.99 each. What a holiday bargain!
2. Bubble Bath Gift Box
We could all use a little time to ourselves to rest and decompress. That’s why this thoughtful DIY bubble bath box is such an incredible gift!
The best part about this box is that there’s so much room for creativity. Here’s some examples of what you could include in your box, all sourced online:
- The box itself: A simple cardstock or wooden gift box should do the trick. You can order them through Amazon in bulk if you plan on making multiples.
- A small bottle of rosé. You can order this through a service like Instacart or Amazon Fresh.
- Candles: You can order a set of 12 candles here on Amazon. They’re well-designed and super affordable.
- These lavender-colored matches come in a cute glass bottle with a cork lid.
- Bath salts: These can be found just about anywhere, including Amazon or Instacart.
Once you’ve decided on the contents of the box, wrap it any way you see fit!
3. This magnetic wood knife rack
Magnetic knife racks are a practical and stylish gift option. Just about everyone cooks, and just about everyone loves a stylish kitchen accessory like this. It’s made from wood sourced from old whiskey barrels — a detail every whiskey lover is sure to enjoy. You can customize each knife block with a family name or anything else you’d like to inscribe on it.
4. A monogrammed leather portfolio
A perfect gift for the student or busy professional on your gift list, this gorgeous leather portfolio can be customized online with a ton of different colors.
5. A home-made reed diffuser
This reed diffuser can be made entirely from products purchased from Amazon, making it incredibly safe and convenient to make.
First, grab a ceramic flower vase set from Amazon. Choose one with a narrow neck, like this one. Then, order a bulk bag of diffuser reeds. These are mostly the same, but there’s a few options available. Then, grab some almond oil (as a diluting agent) and a set of essential oils. Package everything together in a gift box to give your friends and family a beautiful, reusable oil diffuser.
6. DIY Terrarium with picture frames
Order a set of vintage-style picture frames online for a simple and quick gift for your plant-loving friends. Just attach the frames together using hinges and finishing screws to form a cube or birdhouse shape. If you’re not handy or prefer to save the labor for someone else, you can order a similar terrarium through Etsy.
7. Try a customizable candle from Etsy
Custom-build a candle right from the comfort of your own home. Choose your own color and inscription on the label for a personalized and thoughtful gift. You can also buy similar DIY candle kits for the crafty people on your list.
8. DIY Chalkboard Serving Tray
These serving trays are a beautiful and practical gift for anyone on your list. To make them, grab a 2×12 framing board through curbside pickup from a hardware store like Home Depot. Stain your boards with a dark finish, tape off the edges, and apply a layer of chalk paint over the top. The chalk surface allows you to label everything on the serving tray.
9. Custom Engraved Bracelets
These bracelets are simple, elegant, and can be inscribed with anything from a personal message or map coordinates. They’re a great option for a significant other as well.
10. A custom necklace in the shape of your kid’s drawing
Just send in a picture of a favorite drawing by one of your children to have a custom-made necklace made in its image. A perfect gift for Mom.
