gift giving

GIFT GIVING BY OCCASION

There’s a lot of people overthinking and over-complicating gift-giving. Generally speaking, I’m almost one million percent sure people would rather have a small amount of cash or gift card balance than some elaborate but miscellaneous crap that fit your tastes better than theirs. While there’s certainly an occasion for elaborate gifts, most often that not, SIMPLICITY and PRACTICALITY is key.

 

baby shower

Udder Cover Breastfeeding Blanket Cover (affordable)

Get one for FREE - all you have to do is pay shipping ($14.99 for shipping total). It’s a practical gift because a mommy can probably never have too many of these! Most recently I searched Google for a free promo code, and “PJBABY” works at checkout.

Lille Baby Carriers (practical)

PERFECT for mommies and daddies, this brand is the leading baby-wearing carrier brand out there on the market. Light-weight design, adjusts for wearing in six different positions, plus the protection to the lumbar spine (lower back) can’t be beat. Many carriers can be found on sale. I partner with this company for my job at a Pilates studio, so email me for an exclusive purchase link and a 15% off code.

Bapron Baby aprons (practical, eco and splurge-y)

Ranging from newborns to toddlers, this company makes the cutest bibs that are, best of all, waterproof and stain-resistant! Designs are also “apron”-esque, making it perfect for fussy babies who have an affinity for ripping off regular velcro bibs. You can clean in the sink or throw in the wash. The huge selection of prints are all way too cute! All around a great product. Sale bibs start at $12.95. I partner with this company for my job at a Pilates studio, so email me for an exclusive purchase code to receive free shipping off 2+ aprons.

 

When in doubt, a Costco, Target or Amazon gift card for diapers is nice and completely practical. If you’re attending a shower, ask the expecting mom if she has a registry; you can select the cheap items to purchase and send to her.

If you’re artistic or media-savvy, you could take photos or videos during the shower and compile either a scrapbook, photo album or video to capture the special day as your gift. Capturing the moment in this way will most likely provide a tremendous amount of value without you spending a dime.

bridal shower

 

 

 

 

 

 

WEDDING

The bride probably needs to cross of a million things on her wedding to-do list, so can you help her? Nowadays brides get custom-hangers for the wedding day photos with their new last name “Mrs ___”. You can order one on Etsy for her (average $16.99 before shipping).

Does she need a garter? A cake topper? Offer to purchase it for her.

It may help to find out the bride’s wedding colors so everything matches. Just make sure that if your gift is something for the actual wedding, you need to give it to her in advanced.

 

First of all, do they have a registry?? Just use that! Don’t bother being creative and just get the couple what they already hand-picked themselves! They’ll appreciate it so much more than some crap that YOU would like for YOURSELF. Or, just give money. Help to offset the cost of your attendance at their wedding ever so slightly. The amount you give will vary depending on how close you are to the bride or groom, how much you had to pay in wedding travel expenses, if you’re in the bridal party, etc. but even if the smallest amount of money is still money and it goes a long way.
If you’re looking for something fun in addition to money or the registry, then a matching couples pair of MeUndies (softest underwear on the market, makes you feel commando) is fun AND practical (assuming everyone wears underwear). It’s 20% off your first order if you enter your email. 

BIRTHDAYS

If you refuse to give cash or gift cards, please see the section: Gifts for Him and Her 

Engaged? Send a card (and maybe a bottle of wine if they’re close friends or a matching pair of MeUndies) 

Graduating? Money in a card (even the smallest amount goes a long way)

Retiring? Send a card. Maybe some flowers.

Moving? Send a succulent or orchid plant from Trader Joe’s? Or give them a gift-card credit for dinner in their new place? That would be much appreciated.

Career Promotion? Send a card and maybe a bottle of wine.

Expecting? Send a card. Maybe some flowers.

CONGRATULATORY GIFTS

If you’re gifting to a couple, their favorite bottle of wine is an easy option. Or a giftcard for the movies or their favorite restaurant (so they can have a date night).

If it is YOUR anniversary and you’re giving your other half an anniversary present, you can give items like underwear for women or a new hat/cap for men OR you can purchase an experience (couples massage, couples spa day, paintball, stand-up paddleboarding, etc) so you BOTH reap the benefits and liven your relationship with some fun. I’d lean towards the later.

I also like the idea of small-but-meaningful gifts like getting a key with his or her favorite cartoon, sports team, etc. Does he like Spiderman? The Dodgers? Does she like Hello Kitty? They make a huge amount of different printed keys, symbolic of the “key to your heart”

I’ve gotten keys for super cheap $5 at Locks in Culver City:

Alternatively, there’s a kiosk at The Grove with a huge selection. Call ahead to make sure they have what you’re looking for.

For other ideas, consult the section “Gifts: For Him & Her” (internal nav)

ANNIVERSARIES

 

 

Pulling from my memory, a list inspired by gifts I’ve made for past boyfriends:

  • A video photo album set to music

  • A mixtape mashup of our favorite songs

  • A scrapbook album (buy a cheap photo album and then print out photos at Costco and just shove it in there)

  • Go paperless: head to the beach, write names in the sand with the date you got together, snap a photo and send it. It doesn’t have to be expensive, just thoughtful.

  • Breakfast in bed (a classic)

  • A list of reasons why he/she is amazing (on a decorative sheet of cardboard, maybe with a photo of you both?)

  • Give a Massage (you may not be a pro, but he’ll probably like whatever you’re doing)

  • Wash their car (if you have a friend with a house/yard/garden hose, this can be free, and they can even watch you do it lol)

  • Clean his/her/your shared apartment (vacuum, wash dishes, clean sinks/toilets) shirtless or in lingerie, depending on your gender

  • Cook picnic foods and take him/her to the beach

FREE GIFT GIVING DIY 

GENERALLY SPEAKING…

E-gift cards

The beauty of e-gifting is that you can purchase in your PJ’s. This saves you time driving there, looking for parking, gas and mileage. Legit. I send my dad an Abercrombie & Fitch e-gift card for pretty much every occasion. And he doesn’t ever complain! It drops into his inbox on the day that I specified for it to be sent and all I do is make him a homemade card and let him know to check his email. I’m telling you, you could search forever for the perfect gift but all people really want is gift cards and cash. SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE.

Give the e-gift of ... (a list of ideas that you may use or generate your own)

Groupon

Send a Groupon to someone. Make sure it’s a good deal and they don’t have to fork over a bunch of extra money that your Groupon doesn’t cover. One time a friend bought me Groupon tickets to a comedy show where I then had to buy my own mandatory 3-drinks. Standard, but not worth it. More recently, I purchased an entire acupuncture + cupping session for a girlfriend for her birthday. It’s the perfect present; tipping isn’t required so it was no additional money out of her pocket. Don’t ever give a gift that’s going to financially burden someone too significantly, especially if you’re unsure if they will even like your gift. It’s okay to get someone a manicure or massage appointment, but only if they like getting a massage or nails done - they won’t see tipping as a big deal. But for someone who isn’t about that… skip!

Presents - For Him

I keep repeating myself but I’d say the best bet for gifts for guys other than board shorts, boxers, protein or whatever is to buy an experience. Avoid fragrance items. And you guessed it, experiences can’t be beat!

There are many factors that play into gift giving (the type of relationship you have, the message you want to send, the occasion) but I’ll be looking at budget amounts here. 

Presents - For Her

Generally speaking, women have very unique and specific tastes. When selecting presents, be mindful of those varying tastes and go with something USEFUL that most women across the board can use. It also helps to have a general idea of her tastes. That way she can’t complain (or be disappointed) by you choosing a silver necklace when she wanted gold, giving her milk chocolate when she likes dark, or just not getting her size right at all (devil is in the details, guys). Avoid fragrance items. Gift ideas by budget amount here.