It’s that time of the year again when we are all frantically trying to figure out Christmas gifts for our families. It’s a great opportunity to show appreciation and our love with thoughtful gifts tailored to every person’s interests and needs.
But the time around Christmas can also be quite stressful. You have to remember who liked what, what are your family’s hobbies, and what everyone is interested in, so you can really surprise them with a good gift.
On top, you have to do all that in advance so all the gifts are delivered on time- ready to go under the tree.
So to help you out with choosing the best gifts for your family and friends, we’ve compiled a list of the 10 most unusual but also practical presents. These gift ideas are a sure way to impress, but also serve their recipients long after Christmas!
- Consumables
Consumables are all the things you can give to family and friends that can be eaten or used in some way. For example luxury chocolate boxes, drinks, candles, or cosmetics.
If you’re wondering what to give your friend that is into minimalism and tries to limit their possessions, consumables are a great present to give them around Christmas. These gifts are also ideal for someone you want to surprise on the holiday but don’t keep such a close friendship with.
Think of your children’s school teachers, tutors, or perhaps even friendly neighbors. A nice set of aromatic candles, homemade dessert boxes, or a fruit bouquet are all great choices. For people who are into cooking and world cuisine, you can always arrange a set of spices, or even a hot sauce christmas gift set to complement their meals. Those enjoying pampering themselves would definitely find a box of bath bombs, or a moisturizing face care routine set something they can appreciate and use. For the gentlemen, you can always prepare a gift box of shaving tools, creams, and gels.
- Memberships/ Subscriptions
Memberships and subscriptions are other useful gifts to surprise your family at Christmas. They can be used for practically everything.
Almost any service in the fitness, wellness, sport, and entertainment industry provides monthly or annual subscriptions and memberships that you can get someone as a Christmas gift.
Not to mention during this time of the year many of those services are discounted, so you’ll even get them on a better deal than usual.
Use this idea to allow someone to practice their favorite sport, visit cultural events and exhibitions at museums, or enjoy a good read of their favorite news outlet оr entertainment platform like Netflix, AppleTV, etc.
- Spa Day/ Massage Coupon
When it comes to practical and enjoyable gifts, a visit to a massage therapist’s studio or a whole Spa day is at the top of the list.
If you know someone who has been working hard lately with no time to relax and recharge, this gift will definitely help them unwind. It’s the perfect present for anyone really. Who would say no to a Spa day, right?
- Virtual Classes
Do you have a friend or a family member who loves to learn and is always excited by getting into a new creative hoppy? Then a virtual class might be the best gift for them.
Online courses range from easy DIY techniques to crafts, arts, creative writing, technology and science, and anything else you can possibly imagine. Platforms like Skillshare, Coursera, Udemy are ideal sources of inspiration and can match almost everyone’s interests.
An online course is the type of gift that can help your family member or friend find their true passion, or change their career path. It’s a Christmas present they’ll definitely remember you for.
- Gift Cards/Boxes
If you’re someone who likes to get more involved in creating a gift for someone a DIY gift box might just be a thing to do for Christmas. A box that gathers small gadgets, tools, books, garments & small pieces of clothing you know someone needs anyway is an incredibly thoughtful and practical gift.
And you can make it even more fun if you create a whole theme around your gift box. For example, if you have a sentimental friend who loves everything patriotic, you can build a box themed around the American flag, and add small items made in the USA. A patriotic t-shirt, a hoodie, a mug, or a star-striped thermos they can use in the office is a great way to celebrate their passions.
Or instead of constructing the gift box yourself you can give them a gift card and let them choose their own items from a favorite brand.
- Е-Reader & Board Games
For the avid readers among your family and friends, a good quality E-reader can be the perfect gift for Christmas. An electronic book can hold hundreds of books and can be carried anywhere, so the person you’re gifting it to, can always enjoy a good read and think of you.
Board games are yet another great Christmas gift idea. This type of entertainment is resurging with multiple board games clubs opening up to host passionate gamers who enjoy diving into fantastical worlds, training their logic, or just having fun with friends.
This gift idea is an ideal option for family and friends’ gatherings. A game night to relax and engage in a fun activity is a great way to bond and create cherished memories.
- Renovation Project
This idea is more demanding, financially engaging, and requires you to know the person you’re giving it to very well. Depending on the size of the project it might also involve you teaming up with another family member to be able to afford it.
But if a family member, let’s say your brother or sister, or why not your parents, have always dreamed of the perfect landscape design for their backyard, why not help them get it?
Or perhaps they’ve talked about renovating their house and adding a new interior railing, new wrought iron door, or fence, new kitchen cabinetry, or flooring, why not give them the renovation project yourself?
This type of gift is probably one of the most practical and useful ones, that on top will last a long time and make your family truly happy.
- Power Tools
Power tools are fun! Don’t you agree? They can be intimidating but for anyone who loves creating functional or decor pieces, they are an indispensable helper.
And every family has that one person that always talks about a project they’ve been meaning to start. So why not help your cousin build their camping box by giving them a tool that will help them do that!
You can ask them in advance what they already have in their toolset and add another tool that will help them finish a project. Anything from a simple battery-powered drill to a jigsaw, or an angle grinder would fit perfectly in their arsenal of tools.
Don’t forget to add quality drill bits, blades and diamond & CBN grinding wheels, so each of the tools you give is ready to work!
- High-Quality Cookware & Home Appliances
A lasting set of cookware is always a good gift idea. Not to mention most of the quality products on the market are designed so perfectly they become a beautiful part of the decor.
It’s a 2-in-1 gift, that when taken care of right, can serve its owner for a lifetime. A cast iron pan, a dutch oven, a hand-crafted set of knives are awesome examples of quality kitchen tools to give someone for Christmas.
The same goes for an appliance you know will make your family member’s life easier and chore-free. The so popular robot vacuum cleaners are a wonderful investment that saves time and helps keep the house tidy and clean. You’ll have to bear in mind, however, that these appliances are on the pricier side of gifts.
- Donations
Christmas is a holiday that we’re lucky enough to share with family and friends and we should take this opportunity to help others who are not as fortunate as we are.
Donations to charitable organizations, animal shelters, organizations engaged in the protection of our environment and wildlife are probably the most selfless and heart-warming gift you can give someone.
Surprise a family member or a friend with donations on their behalf and brighten up the day of more than one person with one gift.
You can even encourage others instead of giving you a present this Christmas to make a small donation in your name, so together you can make a difference in someone’s life.
To Wrap It Up
What better way to show gratitude for your family than gifting them with presents they can take advantage of throughout the year! Our list of the 10 most unusual and practical gifts is a great source of inspiration.
These ideas of truly useful and thoughtful presents will leave a lasting impression and make you a champion gift-giver!
