Holiday Gifts That Aren't Things - Thoughtful & Last Minute Friendly
By Florenne Earle Ledger and Nona Dimitrova published 01/12/2024
In my opinion, the best gifts are experiences or non-tangible things that show someone has thought about you. 'Gifts that aren't things' don't have to be expensive or fancy, just fun and thoughtful. It also helps that they are last-minute friendly! No waiting for postage.
I find planning fun things to do with my friends, partner, or family so much fun– making these kinds of gifts the most exciting to give, not just receive.
Whether you're present planning or adding to your Christmas list, here's our run down of gift ideas that aren't things.
FYI, each week of December we're updating it with 7 more thoughtful ideas.
Cat cafe, puppy yoga
For an animal lover, take them somewhere cute where they can be around animals. We don't suggest zoos for obvious reasons, but if you know the animals are looked after at a nice Cat Cafe or Puppy Yoga studio, this could make a great gift!
Share your DIY skills
Whether it's painting them a ceramic, writing them a short story, or drawing something for them, sharing your creative skills is a wholesome gift that shows you care.
Upload their wardrobe to Whering
It can take a while to upload all your items if you have a big wardrobe, so why not offer to do it for a fashion lover in your life! We can't think of a better gift...
Invest in their interests
Has your bestie mentioned they really want to learn how to do something? Invest in their interests and pay for them to take a class to learn a new skill they've always dreamed of, but never found the time for.
Clothing care kit
Cobble together a detergent, de bobbler, softener, linen spray, moth deterrent (herbal soap bar works well), and safety pins– and you've got a DIY clothing care kit. It technically is a physical "thing" but you might have some of the items already!
Personalised recipe book
Perfect for a housemate you cook with, a friend you love to share dinner with, or a partner. Write down all the recipes you love to make together and create your own recipe book. So cute!
A voucher for a treatment
Whether it's a spa day, getting your nails done, or a massage– there are so many treatments out there that we don't buy for ourselves but we'd love to have. Gifting a voucher for a beauty treatment is a great gift to make someone feel special.
Art Pass or museum membership
For a friend who loves a trip to a gallery or museum, treat them to a membership so they can access more exhibitions for free, all year round.
Take them on a day trip
Get out of the city or town you live in and see somewhere new together. Cover their travel and food costs and treat someone you love to a day out in a new place. Exploring new places together is so much fun! It could be another city, or maybe you could go somewhere rural for a wholesome walk.
Cook or bake something they love
A wholesome and affordable way to show someone you care is to bake them their favourite sweet treat or cook them their favourite meal. Food brings people together and makes a great gift for a foodie in your life.
Clothing repair or alteration
It's so easy to put off getting clothes repaired or altered for both the money and time it takes to do it. Offering to pay and arrange a repair or alteration is practical and thoughtful gift.
Rental voucher
In keeping with the circular fashion theme, a rental voucher is a great gift for the sustainable fashion friend in your life.
Donate at their request
In this day and age, many of us don't actually need anything new for Christmas. If someone insists they don't want anything, donate to a charity for a cause close to their heart.
Gig tickets
For your music-loving friends, a ticket to a gig for one of their favourite artists is always a great gift. You've probably seen their Spotify Wrapped, so have a Google to see who is playing to surprise your friend.
A subscription to something they enjoy
Whether it's for the cinema, a magazine, or one of the many random things you can get subscriptions for these days, this is a great gift that literally keeps giving for the entire year.
A voucher for their favourite coffee shop
It might seem like a boring present but I can't be the only one who would LOVE to receive this. The cost of living crisis is real and small things like having a coffee paid for can really brighten your day. Always choose an independent coffee shop where possible, lots of them do vouchers!
Tickets for an exhibition they would enjoy
It can be hard to make time to go to exhibitions, and it's another thing to spend the money on the tickets when there are other things to prioritise. This is a fun gift that encourages your friend (or whoever you're buying it for) to make time for doing something they love, with someone they love (you!).
Plan an experience to do together
Most cities have loads of experiences to choose from, including cooking classes, pottery painting, and more. Google Virgin Experience days if you're not sure where to start. Also, having fun things to look forward to makes January so much better.
Take them for dinner at a restaurant they have been wanting to try
A nice dinner catching up and chatting is such a lovely thing to do. If they have mentioned a new place they want to check out, why not take them as a gift?
A voucher for a bookstore
It might sound boring, but this is one of the greatest presents I've ever gotten. If you can afford to give a large enough amount so they can get multiple books, you're giving someone who loves reading a great present that lasts for months!
Those are all the ideas we're sharing for now. Join us again next week for 7 more!
Something on your mind?
Share your thoughts with Whering community.
If you have an idea for an article around fashion, culture, environment, news, wellness, shopping or DIY, submit a pitch to us!