The holiday season is here, and that means you need to start shopping for everyone on your list. Finding ways to bring joy and fun to your friends and family is more important than ever this year, and there’s no better way to show you care than a thoughtful gift. Still, knowing where to start shopping can be overwhelming, and finding the perfect gift takes some time and effort. If you’ve got some special people to shop for and don’t know where to get started, don’t procrastinate. Here are six perfectly festive gift ideas that’ll make this holiday season as bright and merry as possible.
1. Arts and Crafts Kits
Let’s be honest, a lot of us are running out of activities to do when we’re home, especially since most of the United States is still under varying degrees of restrictions regarding going outside recreationally. This is the perfect time to break out some craft kits and find a project to do. Think about what interests your friends have and what types of products they like to use, and see if you can find a craft kit they can enjoy when they’ve got some downtime. If you have a friend who loves jewelry, grab a basic jewelry-making set. For the herbology-curious, get a basic windowsill plant starter set. Not only will you have a great, creative gift to give, but the recipient will also get hours of enjoyment out of it, rather than just being given something ready to wear or display out of the box.
2. CBD Flowers
If you’re unfamiliar with CBD, it’s short for cannabidiol, which is one of the two most prevalent active ingredients of cannabis. Unlike THC, which produces the signature psychoactive effect that marijuana is known for, CBD is not psychoactive and is used for both recreational and therapeutic purposes and legally cannot contain more than trace amounts of THC. The 2018 Farm Bill cleared the way for the legal sale of CBD products and other products derived from hemp plants. For any friend who likes to smoke, or who needs to relax, CBD products can be a great gift. CBD flowers are probably the most commonly used product, and they can be smoked the same way you would smoke cannabis. Some users prefer CBD oil to bud and others like unique products like balms and topical creams. CBD offers different strains just like its THC-laden counterpart, so you can find all your favorites to roll up in a joint.
Users report that CBD helps with everything from anxiety to insomnia to pain relief. While medical studies are still ongoing to determine the efficacy of CBD in treating certain conditions, the FDA has already approved its first CBD-based medication, so expect to hear even more about CBD and its various uses and applications in the near future. In the meanwhile, it’s fun to try and to enjoy with friends, making a CBD-rich hemp flower a great holiday surprise for a friend.
3. Board Games
You might not realize it, but board games aren’t just for kids anymore. Not only that, but the selection has grown far beyond old standards like Monopoly and Clue. Boutique board games and pricier tabletop adventures for adults are becoming more and more popular, and given how much time we’re all spending inside lately, what better time than now to pick up the hobby? If your friend is a fan of Risk-style games, see if you can find a tabletop strategy game modeled after their favorite movie, television show, or book series. For mystery aficionados, try a whodunit game like Spy Alley or Scotland Yard. Group games like Dead of Winter, Settlers of Catan, and Survive: Escape from Atlantis can provide fun for your whole crew for years to come. You can even buy kits to build your own board game, so for a clever and crafty friend, maybe it’s time to let them design a game of their own.
4. Pet Supplies
If you have a friend with a pet, especially a new one, why not get them a little basket full of treats and essentials for their furry friend? You can never have too many treats or toys, but if you’re unsure about brands and flavors, make sure to include a gift receipt so your friend can make a quick exchange if you grab something their pet can’t have or doesn’t like. A dog car harness is a great idea for dog owners, so they can take their pup with them safely on car trips. A dog car harness is perfect for large dogs who can’t just be clipped into a dog car seat as small dogs can, and it’ll help keep them safe in the back seat and away from the center console. You need a seatbelt, so why wouldn’t your dog? You can’t beat the gift of a happy, safe pet for Christmas so consider a harness for your pal’s pup.
5. False Eyelashes
Just because your celebrations might be smaller, or virtual, doesn’t mean people won’t have excuses to dress up. Get some exciting new beauty products, like magnetic lashes, so your friend can enjoy looking special for the New Year. Makeup is always a good present but passes on basics like foundation or blush, which your friend probably already stocked up on, and go for something wild and fun. Magnetic lashes are a great way to glam up a look, and you won’t have to deal with the clean-up of messy lash glue when you put them on. All you have to do is apply the magnetic liner, soften the lash band, and then apply the lashes. If you have a friend who loves makeup in your life, surprise them with something unique to spice up their look.
6. Loungewear
Let’s be honest, sometimes the best part of the holiday season is staying home and in bed. If you live somewhere where the weather gets cold, staying nice and toasty in some fleece pajama bottoms under the blankets is just what the doctor ordered sometimes. Whether it’s a nice pair of pajamas to lounge in, some cozy slippers, or a new pair of sweatpants to jog in, comfy clothes that you can relax in are always a great gift, but they’re especially useful when ongoing COVID restrictions are likely to keep us inside more often than outside over the coming months. Fuzzy socks are a holiday classic, so grab a pair as a stocking stuffer if you’re looking for something extra to add to a stack of gifts.
Whether you’re attending a small, socially-distanced soiree or shipping a gift to a friend on the other side of the country, everyone wants to find the perfect present. You don’t have to spend a lot of money, it’s about the thought and effort into getting something you think will make the recipient truly happy. This holiday season, given the ongoing pandemic and all the stress and difficulty that goes along with it, is more important than ever. There’s no reason not to go the extra mile to make it really special for you and everyone you love. Don’t waste time, make a day of doing your Christmas shopping right from home and surprise the most important people in your life with some festive holiday cheer this season.
