How to Come up with Meaningful Gift Ideas
One mom shares a genius strategy.
First, The Story
“A few years ago, instead of asking my adult children what was on their Christmas wish list, I decided to send them a more personal questionnaire about their lives. ("Are there any things you look for to bring warmth and comfort to the dark days of winter?" or "Are there any specific holiday traditions you are looking forward to more than others this year?") It resulted in the coolest responses and really helped me come up with good gifts and ideas for how to make the holidays more meaningful. For instance, in one response, my youngest son mentioned he wanted a yule log class we had taken during Covid Christmas to be a yearly tradition. Another son noted that after recent a move to a new town, he still didn't really know what the best local restaurants were. So I researched restaurants for him and gave him a collection of gift cards to new restaurants and coffee shops. One year, it was clear from my daughter's responses that a stack of frozen meals was just the thing to give her -- she had just had her first baby, and I knew the meals would really help with transitioning back to work. My other daughter had just finished college and started teaching, and mentioned she wanted to spend her break getting back into reading for pleasure, so we got her a few books and a gift card to her new local bookstore. The questionnaire really brought a new round of magic to Christmas with a house full of adults. My college sophomore now reminds me to prep the new questions each fall. And the responses themselves are even part of the tradition -- we read them while exchanging gifts over Raclette dinner on Christmas Eve.” - Tracy Selvig, Colorado Springs, CO
Why We Love It
It can sometimes be hard to come up with gift ideas for older “kids,” and we thought this was such a sweet way to not only do that, but also to go deeper, and get to know them more. As LM follower, @carissaabc, wrote “sometimes we send wish lists and even links of exactly what we want it just feels so transactional. THIS idea is brilliant because not only are you able to surprise them with something they actually enjoy, but you get a chance to hear about how their lives are currently going.” We completley agree. A big thank you to Tracy for submitting the idea!
The How-To
Send any combination of the following questions to the gift recipients and ask them to send back with answers. Hopefully it’s not too late for this holiday! (There’s also a PDF if that’s easier to print and send.) Remember, the questionnaire can also be a mini time capsule — keep them together in a folder or binder, one for each kid, to hold on to or to give to them as a gift one day.
And PS: No reason to limit this strategy to holiday gift giving. It’s easy to tweak the prompts for birthday or anniversary gifts, too.
Raclette recipe not included :)
The Questions
You are on vacation or day trip, and have a few hours open. What is the first kind of shop you are likely to wander through?
If you are killing time online, where do you find yourself losing hours at a time that may generate present ideas?
It is the end of a long week, and you want to treat yourself to dinner / brunch / something out. What kind of food are you looking for?
Do you have favorite ways to spend time at home this year for which a gift could be useful? (Reading, crafting, listening to music, cooking, playing video games)
Are there any things you look for to bring warmth and comfort to the dark and cold days of winter? (Special teas, cocoas, snacks, blankets, candles, etc.)
Anything in particular you keep thinking you need in your room / house / life that is more exciting and giftable than an appliance?
Is there a local small business / coffee shop / restaurant that you are particularly taken with?
What is your favorite type of museum? (Any you would like a membership to?)
Is there anything that can be gifted that your life just needs in order to brighten your season? (Some years need grocery gift cards, acts of service, or prepped freezer meals more than sweaters under the tree)
Are there any specific holiday traditions you are looking forward to more than others this year?
Is there a holiday baked good you hope to have this year?
Thanks again, Tracy!