Gifting Galore
Tis the season for gifting! However, it can also be increasingly difficult to find the right gift for everyone on your list year-to-year. Luckily, I have put together some ideas for those who are 21+ and made the “nice” list this year!
Likely one of the easiest gifts for those who choose to imbibe is a bottle of their favorite wine, liquor, or beer. It is also one of the most well-received gifts and is pretty much guaranteed to never go to waste or be re-gifted, which is money well-spent! To make this simple gift extra-special, stick a big bow on your 6-pack of beer, or purchase an insulated wine tote that doubles as a gift bag, or perhaps get wild and crazy and gift a top-of-the-line cooler such as an Rtic or Yeti to place your alcohol purchase inside. It all depends on how much you are able and willing to spend (and how much you like the person you are buying for!)
Speaking of coolers, a less-expensive and smaller version would be insulated drinkware and there are limitless options when it comes to gifting this item. Some of the most popular brands are Rtic, Yeti, Brümate, and Stanley. These come in a variety of different options from insulated tumblers, pint glasses, stemless wine glasses, and even adjustable can/bottle coolers, that you can pop a beverage into without having to pour the liquid into a vessel or wash later. Additionally, there are less-expensive versions that will keep your drink of choice perfectly cool. By saving a little money, this allows you to get a bit more creative. What sports teams does your gift recipient like? Does she like roses or peonies better? What about their favorite colors? Or perhaps you are gifting for a newly married couple and the honeymoon isn’t over yet? Insulated drinkware can be totally personalized! Look to team websites for officially branded merchandise or a website such as Etsy for something totally unique and which also supports small business.
Food items are never a bad idea for gifting – however, you may need to plan your giving with a little more forethought given that items may need to be refrigerated or frozen. Know a wine lover? Create a charcuterie basket complete with cheeses, honey, jams, cured meats, nuts, jarred olives, crackers, and dried fruits – and don’t forget the bottle of wine! Gifting for someone who loves to grill with a beer on gameday? Put together a selection of beers, grilling tools, a sports team apron or knitted hat to keep them warm during tailgating, along with premium steaks, burgers, chops, or sausages. Got a friend who loves to play bartender? Grab a bottle of liquor and include mixer juices, bitters, bar equipment with an elegant shaker, fancy glasses, ice cube molds, swizzle sticks, and specialty sugars and spices to rim glasses. The possibilities are endless!
Already mentioned is gifting a favorite bottle of wine, liquor, or beer, and perhaps you want to add just a little something extra. A great choice is adding some merch – a t-shirt, hat, koozie, corkscrew, coasters, or glassware from the company or brand of alcohol totally adds a little bit more fun. A gift card to a winery, brewery, bar, or restaurant might also be the perfect amount of extra needed to make your gift that much more special and is guaranteed to be utilized by your recipient. Additionally, there are so many other items to gift along with a bottle or six-pack: books, tickets to a concert, comedy show, or beer event, home décor, coasters, candles, funny/kitschy novelties, apparel, outdoor lawn games (cornhole boards and bags are great!), glassware of all types, boardgames, card games, bottle openers, decanters, or DIY brewing kits.
Another delightful idea is to create an advent calendar. To begin this project, you will purchase different individual bottles/cans of beer (many supermarkets have a create-your-own 6-pack), mini (or full size!) bottles of wine, or liquors – the key here is to have a totally different option for each day of the calendar. Wrap each container in festive wrapping paper, adding bows, stickers, glitter, tinsel, etc.; You can really go hog-wild with the holiday spirit here! Mix ‘em all up, label each wrapped bottle/can with a number and stow them in a box or basket. Gift the advent calendar with directions to open one each day for either the whole month of December (and perhaps something super special for Christmas Day!), each night of Hanukkah (12/14-12/22), the seven days of Kwanzaa (12/26-1/1), or the traditional twelve days of Christmas (12/25-1/5). A bonus? You can also create an advent calendar for cider-lovers, or with non-alcoholic options too!
No matter who lands on your holiday shopping list this year, all it takes are a few ideas and a pinch of creativity to bring big smiles to their faces! Cheers!
