The festive season isn’t far off and many of us are beginning to plan what gifts we want to get for our nearest and dearest. Of course, gifts aren’t the main focus of celebrations. Instead, we tend to celebrate our relationships, our families, our lives in general. But gifts are a great token that can be thoughtful and show people that you really care about them. Now, your nearest and dearest may have already made specific requests regarding what gifts they’d like this year.

But if you’re feeling a little lost, there are plenty of different things you can invest in that would make great gifts. Generally speaking, it’s best to plan sooner rather than later, so you can benefit from sales and discounts that tend to crop up around Black Friday and during the lead up to Christmas. Choosing can be difficult, but there’s something out there for everyone. Sometimes, you need to think outside of the box to come up with the perfect idea. To help you along the way, here are a few suggestions that could get the ball rolling and result in you buying the perfect presents!

 

Subscriptions 

One great gift option is a subscription. This truly is the gift that keeps on giving. Put simply, you sign up for the subscription to be sent to your loved one on a monthly basis for a set number of months. Most subscriptions last one year, but there are sometimes six month or three month options for items that tend to be a little more costly.  As a quick example, you can head to https://ironandfire.co.uk/coffee-subscriptions/ to see the various coffee subscriptions they offer. This is the perfect gift for any coffee connoisseur you know, ensuring they'll never run out out of their favourite morning fix.

When giving a subscription, the best option is generally to pay outright as you would with any other gift. This way, the gift doesn't become part of your monthly budget and it won’t suddenly stop at some point throughout the year if you find yourself unable to keep paying the monthly costs due to unforeseen circumstances.

To make sure the subscription goes to the right place, you will need some of your loved one’s details. This includes their full name and their postal address. Make sure to update these details if your loved one’s name or address changes to ensure they keep receiving the subscribed items. There are countless subscription services out there. Some of the most popular tend to include: 

●     Magazines and newspapers

●     Flowers

●     Beauty boxes (some of these might even offer a luxury brand discount voucher every once in a while)

●     Pet treat boxes

●     Books

●     Tea

●     Much more 

 

Personalised Gifts 

Many gifts can be personalised, adding that extra special touch to things. Whatever gift you consider, whether it's one of these Stocking Filler Gifts from Kindred Fires, a mug, or even some homeware, having it customised or personalised makes it truly unique to the person you’re giving it to and shows that you’ve put a little extra thought, time and effort into choosing and arranging it. Some great gifts to personalise include:

●     Jewellery - most jewellery can be engraved for an extra special touch

●     Candles

●     Drinks bottles

●     Mugs

●     Stationery

●     Cushions

●     Homeware

●     Keyrings

●     Some custom made metal badges

●     Cards

● Tea

● Beauty boxes (some of these might even offer a luxury brand discount voucher every once in a while).

Courses 

Many people strive to learn more. Whether that’s a unique skill set that they want to pick up out of sheer interest (a new language, how to bake or something else) or a skillset that they want for the sake of career progression (such as an eyelash extension course, learning how to sew or something else). Gifting them a course can give them the chance to master their chosen skill and develop within the area.

A lot of the time, people don’t invest themselves because they can’t afford it or because they don’t have the confidence in themselves to chase their dreams. Gifting them the course can kick start their journey and get the ball rolling. If it works out, perfect. If not, nothing has been lost and you’ve simply given them the opportunity to explore whether the skill or path is for them or not. 

These are just a few different gift suggestions that vary from the ordinary. Sure, standard gifts are popular - gadgets, clothes, beauty products. But these gifts will stand out from the crowd and can show a little extra thought and care. So, why not give some of them a go? Whether they’re for your child, partner, parent, sibling, or other friends and family members, these unique gifts are bound to bring a smile to their face!