Some Small, Meaningful Gifts
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Searching for some small, meaningful gifts this holiday season? Here are a few of my favorites. There are some you can simply click and purchase, while others will require a bit more effort–but it will be worth it. All can be purchased online.
1. Personalized State Park Pin Maps from ConsiderGraphics
This map is a perfect gift for hikers, nature enthusiasts, and travelers alike. Just select the state where they live (or that they love) as well as the color. Once they visit a park, they can place a pin on the tree beside its name. (The trees can also be colored with a marker if concerned about pins with children or pets.) I personally ordered the 24×36 New York State Parks pin board, but there are smaller options as well. The vintage design is stunning, and the box at the bottom can be personalized. The map arrived in immaculate condition after being packed with the utmost care. Made me want to run all over New York State and see every state park (which we tried, for a few months, until I became sufficiently exhausted and had to rest). Our travels are here, here and here. Nonetheless, I cannot recommend this gift more.
2. Alma Mater Sweatshirts from College Bookstores
I love the idea of sending a college sweatshirt (or even a matching sweats outfit) to someone who has graduated college years ago. Maybe someone you went to college with, maybe not. Either way, it will bring a smile to their face, for sure, to see the name of their alma mater on a comfortable garment as they open the package. Memories will come flooding back, and there will be a small celebration of youth. Champion is even making a revival these days–the reverse weave is back! I ordered this Stony Brook shirt a few weeks ago from the campus bookstore and it came within two days.
3. Photo Books from Artifact Uprising
Consider using the photos on your phone to assemble a photo book, big or small. Perhaps you might send a friend a book of the two of you together over the past year. Or send your parents a photo book of your children. Artifact Uprising has a wide range of products and prices ranging from soft cover mini books to large, fabric covered books that can be engraved. Upload your photos directly from your phone and then use their auto layouts or your own design. Elegant products, simple-to-use site, not inexpensive, but worth the price for the quality. I used Artifacts Uprising to make our wedding album, and it came out beautiful.
4. Perfume Samples
I’ve fallen in love with perfume this year thanks to Bois de Jasmin, a beautifully written blog that seduced my senses and made me want to sample every perfume on the market, from classics and vintage to niche and avant garde. But perfumes are expensive and also very personal, so consider purchasing a variety of samples ranging in price from $2 to $8 as a holiday gift for all. Try Surrender to Chance and for the widest choice and Lucky Scent for niche selections. Consider purchasing sampler sets with curated fragrances or browsing the hundreds of options manually to hand-pick your gift. Samples arrive in small gift boxes and are small, compact, and unique. You might become entranced along the way; I write about that here.
5. Accomplishments Tote Bags, Tee Shirts, and More from Zazzle
Zazzle has been a source of entertainment for me ever since I discovered it a few years back. Its easy-to-use site allows you to create simple designs (or use photos, drawings, graphics, or otherwise) to affix to tote bags, tee shirts, stickers, stamps, and tons of other home, office, clothing, and stationery products. I’m celebrating my small accomplishments this year by creating tote bags to memorialize the occasions. Consider celebrating a friend or family member’s big win this past year by announcing it on a bag or a shirt! They’ll love the personalized nature of your gift, and the price is right. As a bonus, if you create your own designs, you can sell them on the site.
The Some Small Things Accomplishment Tote is below. You can read about my accomplishment here and purchase the totes in my shop. Contact me for a design, or create a Zazzle account and start designing!
6. Duraflame Electric Fireplaces/Stoves
This last gift is not so small, but it promises to alight the soul of any recipient (and their pets, too). These freestanding stoves satiate the desire for a fireplace without the need for a chimney. The small stove is around $115 and the larger fireplace is around $215 from Electric Fireplaces Direct. Both have controllable thermostats and brightness settings, and you can run the fire for ambience without the heat if it gets too cozy. Note that only the larger of the two comes with a remote control. Partner these with a fire crackling soundtrack, some pine or hearth scented candles, and an LL Bean catalog. No need to stoke, but I do anyway, for the love of it all. Read more here.
Thanks for reading! Happy holidays and happy gifting to all.
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I’d love to hear what you think about these gift options! There’s a comment box below. Please say some things!
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