More on gifts and giving
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Soak newspaper in tea for an hour, then hang it to dry to create a vintage look.
It creates a vintage, aged look for gift wrapping.
- Be careful when removing the paper to prevent tearing.
one person who lived it
Prepay a teenager for yard work as a gift to neighbors who have just had a baby.
It provides help to the new parents while giving the teen income.
one person who lived it
If you need a durable gift on a budget, buy old hardwood furniture from junk stores and refinish it.
The finish holds up over time and recipients often keep the items for years.
one person who lived it
Ask your partner's friends for gift hints, as they may have received clues the partner shared with them.
Friends often drop hints on each other or can ask the partner and report back.
one person who lived it
Keep two wrapped boxes of chocolates on hand as backup gifts for unexpected guests.
If you don't need them for guests, you can eat them yourself.
one person who lived it
Gift a set of sockets and wrenches to someone who lacks tools, enabling them to fix broken items themselves.
It provides the satisfaction of being able to repair things.
one person who lived it
One approach that helped: wrap gifts in old class notes instead of buying wrapping paper.
The result can look prettier than standard store sacks.
one person who lived it
Bring dry shampoo, hair ties, and combs suited to the patient's hair type.
Patients often go days without showering; having clean, styled hair helps them feel more like themselves.
one person who lived it
Bake cookies for gifts instead of buying them.
It is much cheaper in the long run than spending over $50 per person, and recipients are more likely to appreciate homemade items rather than donating or regifting purchased goods.
one person who lived it
24 more on this
Give a sweater shaver as a gift to keep sweaters fresh and less pilled.
Keeps sweaters fresh and less pilled.
one person who lived it
Wash a chip bag, slice it open, and use the reflective silver interior to wrap small gifts.
It provides a stunning, unconventional look.
- Trim with a solid colored ribbon for best effect.
one person who lived it
Bring fuzzy socks for hospital patients.
Hospitals can be cold, and standard issue socks are often cheap and rough.
one person who lived it
Buy $5 grocery store alstroemeria, $10 roses, and $5 lily stems; discard wrapping, add food packet, cut stems, arrange haphazardly in a vase with water, and tie a 12-inch ribbon around it.
You can create a bouquet worth $60-100 for $15-25 by doing it yourself.
one person who lived it
Give pre-seasoned steaks ready to grill with side items as a housewarming gift.
It provides easy meals while unpacking.
one person who lived it
Use old posters, such as childhood music posters, as wrapping paper for a unique look.
It creates a cool, unique look.
one person who lived it
Bring something soft and fuzzy, like a stuffed animal, to cuddle.
It helps when missing pets or needing something to hold.
one person who lived it
Consult friends who share specific hobbies with your partner to identify niche items they might desire.
They may know about specific desires, like a mudguard with flames, that you would never guess.
one person who lived it
Listen carefully to your partner throughout the year for subtle signs of interest, such as comments about clothing, movies, or friends' activities.
There will likely be lots of signs, such as mentioning a nice dress or wanting to do something seen in a movie.
one person who lived it
Bring your own towel and shampoo for showering.
Hospital towels are often tiny and non-absorbent.
one person who lived it
Wrap gifts in aluminum foil so you do not need tape and can decorate them with markers.
It requires no tape and allows for decoration with markers.
one person who lived it
Use Sobieski vodka, a Polish Rye Vodka, as an inexpensive gift for vodka drinkers.
It has excellent ratings.
one person who lived it
Frame gift requests around a theme or educational goal, such as 'let's teach each other' or items needed for a new backyard.
Providing a reason like a party theme or educational exchange helps justify guiding the gifts.
one person who lived it
Wrap practical items like diapers or clothes for babies if they do not care about the contents of wrapped gifts.
It achieves the same effect of opening presents without buying unwanted toys.
one person who lived it
Avoid giving quirky decor like guitar-shaped lamps unless you are sure it fits the recipient's style.
It may sit unused in storage due to style mismatch, causing disappointment for the giver.
one person who lived it
Collect discarded single roses from stations during Valentine's Day to replace fake flowers in a partner's vase.
The recipient's face lit up upon seeing the fresh flowers.
one person who lived it
Sell empty console boxes online and explicitly state in the description that they are empty to avoid disputes.
People love boxes.
one person who lived it
Consider gifting a magazine issue from the baby's birth month with their name in it as a keepsake.
one person who lived it
Bring extra clean underwear for close friends or family members, especially female patients.
Wearing old undergarments or none at all can cause significant discomfort.
one person who lived it
Hide a few treats from family bags for your partner to find when they are having a bad day.
one person who lived it
Charge rechargeable batteries ahead of time using a spare cable to keep the original packaging intact for a special unboxing.
Using a spare cable keeps the full unboxing experience more special.
one person who lived it
Give teachers small, personal gifts like flowers picked from your yard wrapped in simple materials instead of expensive store-bought items.
Personal, handmade gifts are adorable and remembered for years, whereas gift cards are often forgotten.
one person who lived it
Avoid giving nativity sets as housewarming gifts unless specifically requested.
They may not fit the recipient's style or beliefs.
one person who lived it
Frame travel memories by combining Polaroids with tickets, business cards, stickers, pamphlets, and souvenir tags from memorable trips.
one person who lived it