The first step in gift giving is establishing who you are buying for. Do you know them to the core? Is this an acquaintance where you have to play it safe? Is it for the person who has everything? The small business owner friend who’s just trying to get by? The new parents? Grandparents? You get the point!
Once you’ve established that, it’s easier to come up with fun and creative ideas. Hopefully, this blog inspires you to create your own uniquely perfect DIY gift. Or it makes you think of that little thing that would mean so much to your specific person. Perhaps we’ve listed and linked the best gift for you! (ideal situation). Some of these you heard us talk about in the gift guide episode, some were added after! Ok, let’s get to it.
Fitness/Wellness
Check out this blog that Tarin wrote for TKO Yoga & Fitness for great ideas for the fitness enthusiast: The Sweat Life: Gift Guide for At Home Fitness Enthusiasts
Gift cards for massages, facials, nails, or any kind of beauty service are the one place they can’t be considered a cop-out! FYI, personally, we never think a gift card is a cop-out, let the people get what they want & need! Self-care baby, it’s important, gift it to those who you know need it but have a hard time treating themselves to it.
Tacoma locals
Oakes & Alder Day Spa for amazing products and treatments from skilled practitioners.
Truckee Locals
Ash + Honey for all your hair services
Martis Valley Massage for massage and skin care services
Tahoe Mountain Sports for the outdoor lover! TMS carries tons of amazing brands and quality gear. You can shop online too! Making it easy to support small from anywhere ☺️
Products
Tahoe Petrichor makes my all-time fav CBD salve! The smell, the feel, and the ease of applying this is amazing. The Releaf Rollie comes in several sizes and a CBD-free option. This is the perfect little gift for the active human who deals with soreness (who doesn’t!). Be sure to check out the other amazing products from them too!
Small Business Owner
Tons of us are out here hustling. Maybe your pal is cranking away on their small business making huge strides and living solely off that. Maybe, it’s a side hustle (ahem, a podcast) and they are bustin’ their butts outside their 9-5. It’s your sister-in-law’s spa, cousin’s hair salon, aunt’s candle-making biz, your free-lancing marketing friend! What do you get these folks that can help them in their success? The easiest answer that costs you nothing, SUPPORT! Share, comment, like their social media posts, and refer to their business! This is so simple but can move the needle greatly! Some other fun ideas:
- Coffee – this could be for anyone, but let’s be real, the entrepreneur is grinding at all odd hours of the day/night and can appreciate a great cup of coffee from your local shop. Give them a taste of your fav spot if they don’t live near you! Some places even have a subscription like Pacific Crest Coffee!
- Coffee mug – ok, they may have a million, but the perfect coffee mug can set the mood for the workday!
- Money towards a course or service that they’ve been talking about. No website yet or do they need help with a logo design? Fellow small business Locals Creative has provided TKO Yoga & Fitness and Tarin It Up Podcast services to help make beautiful websites, logos, and email templates! If you know someone who owns a business like this, it’s like killing two birds with one stone! Supporting small & gifting another help towards these services.
Stocking Stuffers, Nic Nacky Gifts, and DIY
- Candles, duh. A good, soy wax or small-batch candle is always an amazing gift!
- Claw clips – great for any age – they are so in right now!
- Socks – who doesn’t love socks!? Darn Tough has a lifetime warranty! Yes, lifetime, get a hole and they will replace it for freeeee. They have socks for any & every occasion!
- Practical items – toothbrushes, floss, travel soaps
- Massage candle – check out this DIY recipe!
- Cocktail in a jar – for the person who enjoys a craft cocktail, they can infuse their own right at home! There are countless ways to DIY this. Stay tuned for our episode featuring craft cocktail bartender, Hilary!
Young Kiddos
Whether they are yours, your friends, nieces, nephews, or grandkids, we want to buy them something that has a purpose. Maybe that’s a learning development toy or just a toy that will provide fun!
Some fan-favorite brands include HAPE Toys, HABA, Lakeshore Learning, and Melissa and Doug. Pikler Triangle is another great option for 9 months and up and helps kids learn all kinds of movement skills!
This is also a great opportunity to replenish the winter wardrobe. Hats, gloves, baselayers, jackets, and new snowboots all make awesome gifts at this time of year.
For the Parents
This can be your parents, in-laws, or your friends who are new parents! We’ve got some ideas to ease the journey or cherish the memories.
- Aura Photo Frames – these are so great as you can ‘invite’ people to your frame so they can upload their own photos directly to it! If you live far away this a great way to stay in touch.
- Gift certificate for a date night – whether it’s to dinner or a fun activity help get the new (or experienced) parents out for a date night
- Gift certificate to a co-working space w/child care – for those who are working from home and need a little focus time
- Class pack or membership to a gym or yoga studio with child care. Sometimes, you just need to work out with no interruption. This can be incredibly challenging for parents of young kids who don’t have childcare. Gift them the opportunity to do this without having to drive to two different places or find a daycare/babysitter!
Support these other small businesses that support us!
Dovetail Workwear – our favorite women’s workwear brand
Betts Fit – amazing sports bras for bustier women
Ned – The World’s Best Natural Remedies
Wild-Rye – women’s mountain bike apparel and soft ski layers!
P.S. we do get a small monetary kickback when you purchase from some of these links!
Don’t be Afraid to Ask
Remember, people want to love your gift as much as you want them to! It doesn’t have to be a surprise either. Ask people what they need or want. But if it comes from the heart, it’s always worth it. ❤️ We could have gone on forever with ideas, but we hope this is helpful for you in some way!