5 must-send gifts for every occasion
There is no time like the present to learn how to show affection from far far away. In the midst of a global pandemic, the desire for human connection has seemed only to multiply. Gone are the days when weekend trips to your aunt’s house came without a hazmat suit - & great are the memories of birthday dinners downtown with your 20 closest 20-somethings. But fear not party throwers & weekend goers, while they may take a little extra creativity, intentional gestures have not been canceled. So whether you’re 6 feet apart or 600 miles, it’s high-time to start celebrating again! The good things, the little things, everything belated & everything in-between. Want to know how? Read on for 5 easy ways to say “HEY” from afar. Be careful: it just might make you want to throw a party for everyone you know. ;)
Send a Curated Package!
Did somebody say coordinating colors?! Be it for Easter, a Baby Shower or your best gals birthday, a box full of thoughtful gifts is as meaningful as it is instagram-worthy! Feel like a hands-on project? Here are a couple of sweet treats and trendy tricks to make your home-made gift box look Pinterest perfect!
Shop local! There’s nothing that says “intentional” like a gathered curation of your favorite local spots. Pick up some locally made salsa from your nearest farmers market or Whole Foods, snag a candle from your favorite neighborhood boutique, top it off with a city-centric post card from your local drug store and: Violà! Home starts to feel a little closer for everyone.
Don’t want to make multiple trips? Keep it safe with two words: TAR. GÉ. For real, you guys! Target has it all (old news, ik). So mask up & stop in for a quick coordinating workout outfit, top-selling cookbook & mini bottle of champagne. A mash-up of a few of her favorite things makes for a merry-little-everything!
*Pro-tip: wrap each gift in clear wrap or cellophane, stuff the shipping box with coordinating crinkle paper, tie it all together with a few ribbons, & you have OFFICIALLY outdone yourself.
Need it in a pinch? Companies like Box Fox & Packed Party will do it for you! Customizable and stunning, you can’t go wrong!
image from box fox
2. A bouquet or a bushel of greens
There’s no better way to brighten someone’s day than to bring the outside in! It’s amazing what a little sunshine can do, but whatever the season or time of year, brightening up the home with a few blooms & greens just helps ya breathe a little deeper. Am I right?! So when it comes to showing someone else a little love, do just that! Send a breath of fresh air with a flower or plant delivery!
If the person-of-honor lives locally, head to your nearest nursery and ask them to help you pick a plant! Pro tip: if you’re like me, you can’t keep somethin’ alive unless it’s meant to be dead. So I always ask my gal at the nursery for suggestions on which plants are easiest to take care of, etc.! When it comes to gifts, I almost always pick plants over flowers! They last so much longer & are a great way of adding some thoughtful variety to your loved-one’s homes. Want to gift flowers instead? Trader Joe’s is 100% my go-to for all things floral. For real, y’all! They’re half the price offered anywhere else yet they last twice as long. Pick up a little craft paper & some twine from michaels (or amazon prime if you know what’s good for you but bad for your savings account.), and turn these beautiful blooms into a the perfect present for any celebratory occasion!
If your love goes the distance, order from one of my two favorite online nurseries: Terrain or The Bouqs Co! When it comes to plants & flowers, the both offer super affordable options that ship priority from their greenhouses and gardens, landing on your loved-ones front porch just in time for just about anything! Last year M & I sent my mom a plant for mother’s day and she couldn’t help but rave about what a unique & thoughtful gift it was. All things considered, whether it’s with succulents or peonies, let your love bloom!
3. A Narrated or Bookmarked Cookbook
One of my absolute favorite things about the day and age of the pandemic is the myriad of opportunities M & I have had to cook together! Not only because cooking at home makes it easy to have healthy, satisfying meals, but because it’s a great creative outlet when you’re stuck at home! When we sent a friend a cookbook narrated with our favorite memories and bookmarked with our most audacious endeavors, they we’re elated! & simultaneously encouraged to spend some time getting adventurous in their kitchen, too! This gift is equally thoughtful as it is easy, and best of all, it’s unique! Whether the recipient is your favorite newlywed couple or the in-laws celebrating an anniversary, You can bet your bottom dollar that their kitchen will conceal your special touch!
psttt. did I mention: it’s also SUPER affordable?! Next stop: gift-giving perfection!
4. A Get-well Shipt Order of Groceries
Let’s be real: ‘tis the dang season to pack on the nutrients, y’all! Because building up a strong immune system couldn’t possibly be a bad thing! & when you combine that level of intention with the simple gesture of paying for someone’s groceries, you make gift-giving history. Whether you’re welcoming someone home from a long trip or sending a literal get-well package, ordering a small batch of groceries to be delivered to their door is a next-level kind of love!!
Love on your friends/ recent honeymooners by stocking their fridge with the essentials upon their return! Because there is nothing better than coming home from a trip and not having to cook. All it takes is a couple of cartons of fruit for breakfast, a fresh batch of ground coffee for their homecoming & the ingredients for a simple salad or cheese board for an easy dinner, and you just delivered the best gift of all: relief!
Want to send the gift of wellness? Have an order of groceries delivered to your loved ones afar! When we were quarantined & recovering from the covid virus, it was the biggest blessing when my MIL sent us an order of get-wells to our door! It was a simple order from central market packed full of vitamins & supplements, soup & veggies & even Gatorade & get-well cookies. Those of y’all whose loved-ones as seriously appreciative of acts of service: this one. hits. home.
5. A Surprise Virtual Birthday Party
From extravert to introvert, this simple soiree is sure to make any celebration supremely special. Throw a virtual surprise party for the birthday girl or gather your guys favorite friends for graduation- whatever the occasion, a virtual party is sure to be one of the most memorable moments of the year.
All it takes is electing a point person (someone to send out the time, link & set the under-cover date), gathering up the guest of honors go-to’s, and gettin’ the party started! Earlier this spring I attended a surprise party over zoom for a dear friend, and the look on her face when she realized all of her favorite people made the effort to show up for her gave me goosebumps! The simplest gesture - yet such a profound expression of intention & thoughtfulness.
Earlier this year we also joined a virtual college graduation party for my brother! While we couldn’t be there to celebrate in person, friends and family from far and wide gathered together to tell stories and raise a glass to the mover & shaker that my brother was sure to be as he began his post-college adventures! It brought tears to my eyes and even now I am moved by how much it meant to have all of our favorite people “in the same place”, even but for once this year.
Pro tip: keep the gatherings short! it’s so much sweeter to leave wanting more. Ask all the attendees for 15 minutes & go around and share your favorite memories with the honoree!
Ps. yes- your grandmother does know how to work zoom by now. So don’t hold back on the invites. In times like these it’s a gift to be included, too!
While there is nothing more desirable than a face-to-face interaction, sometimes the biggest gift is knowing that your people are going to make the effort to stay connected even when it’s not convenient. So whether it’s a belated well-wish or a virtual birthday candle, let’s vow to make 2021 one (or 100) worth celebrating, shall we?
Bisou Bisou, S.