One December Saturday, when I was in ninth or tenth grade, my parents decided to take me and my sisters into Boston. Having both grown up just outside the city, they wanted to share a part of their childhood holiday experience with us. It’s still one of my favorite Christmas memories.
Just as the sun began to fade that afternoon, we watched the Christmas lights begin to color the city streets.
That day, we saw The Enchanted Village, found a place for lunch with the biggest slices of pizza I’d ever seen, and window shopped through downtown Boston, admiring all the Holiday displays. I had my first Starbucks coffee—ever. And, just as the sun began to fade that afternoon, we watched the Christmas lights begin to color the city streets.
The memories I have from that day, are probably why I love cities so much. It’s definitely one of the reasons Boston has a special place in my heart. But it’s also why I believe the greatest gifts we give our loved ones are never stuff—but rather shared experiences.
We grow closer to our loved ones when we’re able to enjoy the good parts of life with each other. Even if it’s just a cup of fancy coffee. Or walking down a street looking at Christmas lights. Quality bonding time trumps stuff almost every time.
Quality bonding time trumps stuff almost every time.
With this in mind, I’ve been thinking about what meaningful gifts we can give our loved ones this season. Especially as going out and doing things is extra challenging right now. So this year, I am offering gift ideas that will be perfect for our social distancing winter. Ones that will help us stay active, and/or support our local economy. Here is this year’s gift guide:
Things to help us and our loved ones stay active:
Warm Clothes
More than ever we need to be getting out to walk our neighborhoods, play in the snow, ski, or even go sledding. This means we all need warm clothes. Getting your loved one a good pair of wool socks, some long underwear, or a hat and gloves, is something they will thoroughly appreciate when the temperature drops.
Classes They Can Stream
Does your loved one want to get in shape? Improve as a photographer? Learn how to brew beer? Is there something you want to learn to do together? The list of online classes available today are endless. Check out Skill Share or Creative Live for “how to” classes. Or look into an online fitness program like TMAC. Find a class or program your loved one has been wanting to take—or take with you—and gift it to them in a way that they’ll love.
Cooking Tools or Supplies
What does your loved one want to learn how to cook? Making homemade pasta or bread are both fun activities that can keep your whole family busy for hours—and with tasty results! If planning on pasta making, consider getting a pasta machine and semolina flour. If experimenting with bread baking, The Bread Baker’s Apprentice and instant yeast are excellent gifts.
Gift ideas that support our local businesses:
Restaurant Gift Card
The next best thing to going out for dinner, is take out. Find out your loved one’s favorite local restaurant and pick them up a gift card.
Coffee Shop Gift Card
If you have a coffee lover in your life, they will love an excuse to go to their favorite local shop to pick up a latte.
Support Local Artisans
What do you give the person who won’t take a class or seems to have it all? Look for a local artist or shop who sells regionally made goods for awesome gifts that will lovingly say to your person “I was thinking of you.” For me a few “local” sources are getting earrings from HEKE Creative Tendency, Stroopwafel Cookies from the Lancaster Sweet Shoppe, or jams made at a local farm.
Support Your Local Bookstore
Amazon doesn’t need your business the way your local bookstore does. Nor will they give you helpful recommendations on books your family members will love, incredible service, and—if you need shipping, books that aren’t just thrown in a box will a little stuffing. They will ship your purchases with care. If you have an avid reader to buy a gift for, take a moment to look up your local bookstore online and give them a call. If you live in central Pennsylvania, check out one of my favorites, Hearts & Minds.
How has the pandemic made you think about gift shopping differently this year?
What creative ways can you bless your loved ones this season?
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