Alternative Christmas Gift Guide

Only 9 more shopping days until the big day! Do you have a person on your Christmas gift list that is difficult to buy for? Someone that has everything they could possibly want or need? Or maybe you just have no idea what they want and still want to show them you care. We all do. I’m going to offer you some “alternative” gift ideas that don’t typically cross one’s mind when shopping for that perfect gift to make sure that every gift recipient is pleasantly pleased with their presents.

Donations- For the philanthropists in your life the perfect gift may just be the gift of giving. You can choose a worthy charity/organization, for example the SPCA, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Ronald McDonald House, or Tim Horton Children’s Foundation, and make a donation in their name. Or, for a little bit more fun you can choose a charity catalogue such as Christian Children’s Fund of Canada, Plan Canada, or Food for the Hungry, where you can purchase such items such as a beekeeping kit, dental hygiene kit, or even a chicken, goat or a cow for a needy family in a third world country.

Lotteries- For those that like a little thrill in their life there is a plethora of scratch cards to choose from at every corner store. The Heart and Stroke lottery ticket has hundreds of different prizes including cash, electronics and vacations, or the Sunrise Rotary of Brantford Trip of the Month is such a fun gift.

Experiences- Experiences such as wine tours, a helicopter ride over Niagara Falls, a massage for 2 or a trip to the Flamborough Speedway are all memorable gifts that offer the uniqueness of bonding and creating memories without filling your house with trinkets that just collect dust.

Gift cards- Of course the trusty gift card is always a great choice for even the most picky person. Some of the most popular choices would be a gift card for Amazon, iTunes, Tim Horton’s, Starbucks, or Walmart to name a few.

Subscription boxes- Subscriptions boxes are an exciting gift that keeps on giving. They are fun and build anticipation waiting for them to come to the door. Some popular options are the Bark Box, for the dog lover in your life, the Kiwi Crate or Tinker Crate, for creative kids, the Bean Box, for coffee lovers, and the list goes on and on. Just Google “Box Subscriptions Canada” and a loooooong list of boxes and crates will come up for you to choose from.

Christmas is a time full of high hopes, expectations, the love of giving, the love of receiving and showing friends and family that you care with a token of your appreciation. It’s a time of joy and togetherness, food and fun; so don’t stress over getting that wide eye’d, jaw dropping reaction to your gift because the old cliché still stands true…. It’s the thought that counts.