YOUR HOLIDAY GIFT GIVING CHEAT SHEET
By Liz Gunn || Gifting is my love language. I love giving gifts, and would much prefer to give than receive. I actually hate the awkwardness of opening gifts from even the most well meaning people. Whether it’s the best or worst gift I’ve ever gotten, the response just never feels quite right.
In my family everyone has a standard gift response that we all mock relentlessly. “Ooh neat!” and “Outstanding!” are two of my favorites. Making fun of ourselves takes the pressure off in a weird, sardonic way.
Anyway, I have come up with some ideas that I think could really help you if you are stumped on what to get someone on your list. It’s a simple rule – one I should follow more often, honestly. Here goes…“When in doubt, buy someone an experience.”
As Americans we have a lot of stuff. Compared to some cultures where people really live by the whole “less is more” mantra – we’re basically hoarders. And unless someone specifically asks for something, it’s always a crap shoot anyway.
It’s nice when you think you know someone well enough to select clothing, jewelry, home decor – but in reality most adults prefer to choose their own “stuff”. It doesn’t mean that your gift is not appreciated, but you probably want to get the best bang for your buck when it comes to gift giving. I have found that buying someone an experience almost always fits the bill.
Of course you do have to know someone pretty well to be able to select an appropriate experience. Don’t try to push your own interests on other people. I wouldn’t buy my mom a deep sea fishing trip and I wouldn’t buy my husband a full day at the spa. When selected properly though, experience gifts are perfect for people who have everything or refuse to tell you what they really want.
Here is your cheat sheet for how to select the right one. (You’re welcome.)
The busy woman who has everything wants a day at the spa. Upgrade this gift by calling up her best friend’s husband/ boyfriend/ father and convincing him to buy the same. Still need extra points? Throw in a gift card for the nearest tapas bar or bistro.
A true guys’ guy would be happy with tickets. Sporting events, concerts, festivals- you name it. Go to TicketMaster and just see what’s out there. Upgrade this gift by adding a one-night stay in a hotel – even if the event is in his hometown. Double down with a bottle of his favorite spirit or some cigars.
The crafty gal (or guy) would love a night at your local wine and design, a session at a pottery studio or sewing lessons. A gift card to a store like Michael’s or Hobby Lobby would also be helpful so they can continue the crafting experience at home. If this person is really special, you could throw in some fancy equipment like a sewing and embroidery machine.
The travel enthusiast is easy to buy for. If this person is your spouse, plan a trip somewhere you haven’t been! If you won’t be accompanying the enthusiast – airline gift cards are always appreciated. That way, the recipient can choose when and where they want to go. If you live in or near a city with a hub, that’s likely the best airline card to purchase; they will get the most options at the best price. Hotels.com also sells gift cards if you want to complete the trip with accommodations.
The travel gift can also be tailored to people’s specific interests. Does your husband like to hunt? Coordinate with his buddy’s wife and send them somewhere they can shoot exotic things. Does your wife like to shop? Send her to Charlotte, Atlanta or even New York for a weekend, depending on your budget.
The food and wine connoisseur would enjoy a gift certificate to the best or newest fine dining restaurant in town. Pair it with a nice bottle of wine and/ or a completely frivolous kitchen gadget like some of these from Williams-Sonoma.
Just about anyone would enjoy dinner and a movie. I personally would prefer a movie and dessert, because I plan to fill up on popcorn when I go to the movies. But that’s just me. Locally, check out The Nickelodeon for the best movie experience…in my opinion. If you or the recipient isn’t in Columbia, get a Fandango gift card which can be used at every major theater in the country.
If you like my ideas, but I haven’t quite solved your problem – let me know! If you don’t like my ideas, well luckily I won’t be getting you anything this year. We both win.
Happy Holidays!
LIZ GUNN is a wife, mom, travel enthusiast, food snob, daydreamer and lifelong Gamecock fan. A graduate of the University of South Carolina, she lives in Columbia, S.C. with her husband and daughter.
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47 comments
Good article Liz.
The Republican Party just received a gift today as Sen. Diane Frankenstein just proved that the Democrat Party is the enemy of America with her treasonous release of a fictional account of CIA activities used to protect this nation from another 9/11.
That’s right ’cause torture is what red blooded Americans do…
Why not instead quit getting i n wars with people that may want to bomb us even more?
She should be arrested on the senate floor and shame on YOU for supporting our enemies.
Shame on you for approving torture in the name of the USA. The Japanese were tried and hung for exactly the same offenses. You are the traitor.
Let’s separate the issues here:
Torture – not good, no questions, shouldn’t be done. Allow the House/Senate Intelligence Committees to have closed door sessions to discuss what we should be doing going forward and if anyone should be punished
Releasing a report on the torture that is so inflammatory that the USMC has an entire brigade’s worth of embassy response teams on alert – idiotic to the point of lunacy. It’s already pretty well established what happened. It’s also established that Feinstein is a liberal loon who cares only about political power. This will come back to haunt us for years.
1000+
Torture – not good,
——
Everyone in the military should know this innately. Anyone who doesn’t needs to be tortured.
Telling the world we tortured “folks” is old news.
Blue haired pearl clutchers need to shut the fuck up.
“Blue haired pearl clutchers need to shut the fuck up.”
You didn’t just call THE Colonel a “blue haired pearl clutcher” did you?? LOL
It’s also established that Feinstein is a liberal loon who cares only about political power.
Absolutely.
Yet, you still shouldn’t “shoot the messenger”.
In this case, where the messenger is doing something so potentiality dangerous for no good reason other than political cover, shooting her is exactly what you do – metaphorically speaking of course…
TBG respectfully disagrees.
To engage in a bit of Reductio ad Nazium:
Should a Nazi party member who was *concerned* about the concentration camps have gone public with the info…or just asked Goering and Speer to investigate it privately…so as to avoid enraging the Reich’s enemies?
Keep in mind that in our example…we are talking about state sanctioned torture.
EVERYTHING in that report is already common knowledge – it just hasn’t been printed, bound and published by the “gubamint” for our enemies to exploit. If you want to have closed door hearings and issue a classified report, go for it. This is just lunacy.
“This is just lunacy.”
Your posts on the subject are lunacy.
“In this case, where the messenger is doing something so potentiality dangerous for no good reason other than political cover, shooting her is exactly what you do – metaphorically speaking of course…”
The messenger is doing something dangerous? Did you even read the highly redacted report?
Go on back to tossing footballs with Hannity as he goes to break – that’ll prove how macho you and Hannity are!!
… and don’t forget gift giving.
“It’s also established that Feinstein is a liberal loon who cares only about political power. This will come back to haunt us for years.”
You are so off base it is ridiculous. So Feinstein is the one who “cares only about political power”? That is laughable in light of the political power cover up. Come back to haunt us for years? It has haunted us for years. The truth shall set you free, Colonel – sad that you cannot face the truth.
” Allow the House/Senate Intelligence Committees to have closed door sessions to discuss what we should be doing going forward and if anyone should be punished”
If anyone should be punished?? You’re joking, right? Nobody is going to be punished and you do not want anyone to even know what happened. Let’s keep it quiet and cover it up as it might make Bush and Cheney look “bad” . Totally and completely absurd. Your nuttiest posts ever on this site – and that is saying a lot.
Bet you were celebrating the 9/11 attacks at your local abortion clinic?
Obama loses the mid-terms and the nation is in flames. Dems lose control of senate and Frankenstein torches the senate.
Dancing in the dark you damned traitor.
Bet you were celebrating the 9/11 attacks at your local abortion clinic?
On 9/11/2001 SCBluewoman was at a Democratic Party/PETA sponsored, gender-neutral, gun free, eco-friendly, homeopathic, sustainable, pre-autumnal equinox seminar/celebration/fundraiser held at a small northern liberal arts college. Since this was a green event (no electricity) SCBW was not even aware of the attacks for several days.
Pay up, Chief.
… and you old guys have forgotten that this article/blog is About Santa Claus and spending money on presents for women! … And children! … And doesn’t have anything at all to do with politics or torture … God, what a bunch of sick bastardized screw loose senile stuck in the mud codgers.
You all should go to the mall and fill that bell ringer’s pot with $10 spots.
That’s bullshit.
Right on cue. FITS #1 hater of America. You people are disgraceful and ISIS loves you.
I’m pretty sure you are in the top 5 in hating America.
Sandi absolutely hates America, as does GrandTango.
Feinstein has been a traitor for as long as she has been in Washington. Now that she is losing her chairmanship of , of all things, the “intelligence” committee she drops this bombshell. Everyone knew it but her actually saying it somehow makes it more believable. As to torture , what length do you go to stop a 911 ? What is it worth to prevent terror ? These are serious questions that are above my pay grade but must be answered. Has anyone besides me noticed that only the losers have to face “war crimes” trials ? In war, results are what really matter. Anything less is defeat. Who makes the call ?
BTW, like the “dems hate santa claus” handle. I always lump Santa, the tooth fairy and the free lunch together.
In honor of the release of the recent reports, ISIS will cut the heads off of 100 prisoners.
“In honor of the release of the recent reports, ISIS will cut the heads off of 100 prisoners.”
When can they take you into custody? Your head is obviously empty so no great loss – you won’t even miss it – trust me.
I have my shopping done.Several gifts through Amazon,and for my tween,teens,and young adult,nephews and nieces:Cash,and I don’t include a card.I know what they’re thinking when they get a card.
No cash for my teens or tweens – gift cards for Books a Million or Amazon.
I love making gifts for people -but sometimes wonder how they’re received ;) I feel like I always have to include a “real” gift, too.
It’s the thought that counts… I have a box full of “what the (@*#& were they thinking” gifts – I donate, re-gift or white elephant them.
Gift cards are a rip off.Amazon and others make a fortune from what’s
‘leftover’.Cash is good anywhere,and that’s what they want..
… And for those couch potatoe, dope smokin’ twenty something’s? A can of WhipAss.
I have done all of mine the through Amazon so far. I love that they sell gift cards to just about anywhere, too.
You can get “gift cards to just about anywhere” just about anywhere. Bi-Lo has a “big ol’rack full of them.
True -but Amazon delivers them right to my door! Fo free!
That’s just lazy (have you got a link?)
oh yeah…http://www.amazon.com/gift-cards/b/ref=topnav_storetab_gc?ie=UTF8&node=2238192011
That’s just lazy…
TBG won’t speak for the Colonel…but when TBG says it…it’s a compliment.
Nice article, too. TBG has been giving tickets to plays, concerts, the Zoo/Aquarium/museum and such for years. about 10 years ago an employee gave TBG a movie theater giftcard…and that kind of got the ball rolling.
I like the experience idea. BMW has a great drive/ track experience. I think that I will get my son a discovery flight at the local flight school because he is thinking about learning to fly. Good article to help get all these sour souls in the Christmas mood.
Now That’s a great gift … for flying nut girls, too!
My prescription for the person who has everything – don’t buy them shit!
Good friend? Get in the car, or hop a plane for Colorado, and get wasted in a pot bar.
Wife? Talk her out of presents.
Kids? Well, that’s what Christmas is for..make sure the kids have themed flannel pjs with socks and trapdoors, decorate with lights, glitter, icicles, pine tree, popcorn strings, peppermint canes, fake snow, Happy Holidays with Santa and Snowman… brightly wrapped presents with colorful toys… electronic gizmos if they are so inclined… fudge, popcorn balls, candied apples, meat and cheese snacks…
My solution? Don’t have kids.
Does someone need a hug?
If so, don’t look at me, I don’t give a fuck if you’re happy or not.
Some solution, where were you twenty years ago? Your solution is twenty years and three kids to late
Well, anyone who hates children and the rich can’t be all bad.
But I’ll bet you would steal the quarters outta that bell ringer’s pot, too.
If this was really about Jesus – which it is most definitely *not* – people would give gifts to people that *need* them.. who don’t even know who gave it to them… Christmas mocks Christ with forced giving and receiving from loved ones for the benefit of commercialism.