

Hello there! We are approaching the holiday season, and I feel like it’s time to talk about gifts. This year I try to be more intentional and care about what I buy. As I see many people shopping for gifts, and I would like to encourage you and remind myself to get meaningful gifts. We live in a society where the value of the gift and the quality is measured by a price tag and it doesn’t make me feel good.
So, what is meaningful gift?
For me, it’s, first of all, the one that was bought or made with good intentions for a specific person. It can be a card, it can be a ring – anything you want. But what I am trying to say here is that meaningful gift requires the investment that is more valuable than money – it requires time. For as long as I can remember my husband and I try to give each other and the people we care about meaningful gifts.
Pricewise: how much should you spend?
When I was thinking about this, I found out that there were so many articles that tell you the average amount of money you have to spend on a gift. It’s a good thing to know, but it should not be applied every time we think of the present. Sometimes a handwritten card or a candle from a local vendor can be more meaningful than, let’s say an expensive piece of clothing or jewelry.
What is the easiest way to find a meaningful gift?
Think about each and every person you are getting it for. What does he/she like? What are the hobbies? What are the likings? Most of the times it’s easier than you think. Especially if you buy or make a meaningful gift for your significant other. All you have to do is pay close attention to everything the person talks about. I promise it’s easier than you think.
What are the examples of DIY meaningful gifts?
We live in times when there are so many ideas out there. All you have to do is ask Google/Pinterest, look at Etsy, and I am sure you are going to be surprised. It can be anything you want: from a Christmas card or video to a cake, photo album, a poem, knitted goods, etc. If you are not good at making presents yourself, you can always find local shops and would get it done for you. Not only you will make that person happy, you will support small business.
Other amazing gift ideas for:

1. Travel bug – Scratch Map
We have one of those scratch maps and we never get tired of it! It’s so amazing to mark the places that you have already visited and plan your next adventure!
2. For the people on the Go – KeepCup Cork Brew Travel Coffee Mug.
It doesn’t just look beautiful, it’s made from durable toughened soda lime glass with a splash-proof lid that you can easily take to your local coffee shops.
3. For those who can’t live without a cup of tea – Glass Tea Infuser Travel Mug with Cork
I am a coffee addict but I believe that every tea lover deserves to have a cute tea mug that can easily be carried around.
4. For the Beer Lover – Home Brew Journal
My husband likes beer as much as I love coffee. And, ever since he started talking about home brewing, I was thinking about giving him a little push for the start. If you know somebody who makes his own brew or thinks about it – this is the perfect gift to get!
5. For the people who enjoy cozy nights at home – Homesick candles
This is seriously the coziest candle I have ever seen. You can pick any state you like, but I am linking the one with Lone Star State that smells like all things Texas: dark leather, fresh pine, and thick lemon slices.
6. For the skincare/beauty addicts – Clarisonic Mia 2 Sonic Cleansing System Being skincare addict myself, I have been using this brush for over 3 years and I am not sure if I will ever give it up. It is such a great way to make sure your skin is clean and ready for the next step!
7. For a coffee addict in your life: humorous “I don’t give a sip” coffee mug.
I think it’s a really good way to make somebody smile every morning when he/she enjoys morning coffee.
8. For the couples – book by Ashley Rodrigues “Date night in: More Than 120 Recipes to Nourish Your Relationship“
I would never recommend you something that I am wasn’t excited about. We have been using this book for over a year – it is such a great way to try new things together! Not only the recipes are amazing and easy to make, but the book was also dedicated to the author’s husband.
And, the last, but not least: give the gift of experience. A small trip, photo shoot, baking class, wine tasting.
Happy Holidays!
XX,
Gena.
These are such great ideas! Adding to my cart now!
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Thanks a lot Julie! This means so much to me 🙂
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We gave a scratch-off travel map to my in-laws, who now live in an RV full-time. My kids LOVE scratching off new states when we visit them and meet up to travel! So we can contest to how great a gift those maps are.
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OMG this is so interesting! I am so glad you guys get so creative with scratch-off travel map. And shout out to your in-laws! 🙂
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So many good ideas and tips! Thank you for sharing!
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Thank you for stopping by Ruthie!
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Lovely ideas Gena! Thank you so much for putting this up!!
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Thank you so much, Ria! This means a world to me 🙂
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I love this!! You can’t put a price on special gifts. I love those candles so much!!
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I could agree more! The gifts that come from the heart are the best, right? Me too! 🙂
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This is wonderful! It’s so easy to get carried away with consumerism this time of year. Meaningful gifts are such a better way to go.
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Thank you Christa! I am so glad you also think so.
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Love the idea of meaningfull gifts. The idea of DIY the gift is so nice and personal
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Thanks a lot girl! You are always so sweet!
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The candles are such a great cozy idea! There are some new ones that have wood wick that mimics the sound of fire cracking!
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Are you for real? I should check those out also! Thank you Paula 🙂
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I love to gift meaningful gifts! Thanks for this guide!
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Thank you Melissa!
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All excellent gift ideas. I need to bookmark this link for later. I have lots of Christmas shopping to still do.
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thanks a lot Maggie! All the gift listed here are tried by me, so everything is a good guality stuff
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These are so awesome! It’s so rare to get heartfelt gifts nowadays in the era of gift cards!
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Omg girl! Tell me about it. I don’t mind gift cards at all, but it could at least be wrapped in something creative hahaha
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Love that scratch map! So bummed it’s not available online. I’ve never tried a Clarisonic and always wondered if they actually work, so I may need to add that to my Christmas wish list.
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Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment! They usually restock them, and there are some good ones availible at Barnes&Noble. And, speaking of Clarisonic – it’s such a game changer.
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You should only spend as much as you can afford. There’s no point getting into debt or pushing yourself if you can’t afford it. A meaningful gift is something which shows you have put thought in x
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That cork travel mug is so cute and functional! I’d love to have that. Experience gifts are my absolute favorite!
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I love this post so much. You are so right that it doesn’t matter what is on the price tag, as long as it is meaningful and thoughtful. I do my best to always buy gifts that I know will mean a lot to the people I am giving them to. This is a great list and I especially love the homesick candles.
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I like the gift ideas here a lot. Best to to stick to what we can afford when shopping for gifts.
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I haven’t even started Christmas shopping yet because of exams. Thanks for these suggestions! They’re great.
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me neither hahaha but I feel like it’s easy once I know what to get and where to get it from
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I’ll do my gift shopping this weekend. thanks for the ideas. it is very helpful.
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It’s easy to shop for people you know well (and women, ha!) Most people love gifts that are handmade (well at least the people in my life) It shows they took the time and effort to making the gift… made with love.
I did most of my Xmas shopping a couple weeks ago and for the gifts I’m making… well… I’m still working on them ; )
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Such a great guide! I love the idea of the book for a couple. That is an investment in their relationship for sure!
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Thanks a lot Jennifer! I would totally recommend that book even as a gift to your SO. It makes cooking fun’
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