By Kimberly Blaker
Are you tired of spending hours, days, or weeks scouring the planet for just the right gift? Only to find yourself giving the usual standby, such as a sweater or bottle of cologne? After a while, doling out the same boring gift feels like giving a worn-out consolation prize.
This year, try one of these gift ideas that’ll elicit surprise and enthusiasm for your thoughtfulness.
• Concert tickets. Whether the person on your list is a rock-n-roller or symphony fan, a pair of concert tickets will be a sure pleaser, especially if you can swing the best seats.
• Dinner at a posh restaurant. The old adage goes, the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Women enjoy gourmet dinners just as much. So give a gift certificate to a top-notch restaurant that your recipient’s reluctant to splurge on. It’s the perfect way for the person on your list to enjoy a gourmet meal without guilt.
• Golf package. Give a round of golf at an elite course or a weekend away at a favorite golf resort.
• Massage certificates. This luxury is sure to please. Best of all, you can find plenty of great deals for massages at Groupon.com.
• Chef supplies. Who says kitchen appliances and gizmos are for women only? Men who enjoy playing chef will appreciate the tools to create their gourmet dishes. Consider a top-quality butcher block knife set, rotisserie, food processor, blender, or crockpot.
• Sporting event tickets. Whatever your gift recipient’s favorite sport, a pair of tickets, particularly to a top rival game, is sure to be a hit.
• Remote car starter. This is an excellent gift for both hot and cold climates. With a remote starter, your recipient can heat or cool their car before stepping out into uncomfortable temperatures.
• Magazine subscription. Whether the person on your list is a sports fan, outdoors person, world traveler, hobbyist, professional, or business owner, there’s a magazine out there for every niche.
• Gadgets. A person can never have too many of these. How about a Bluetooth speaker or headphones, multi-device charging valet, night vision binoculars, heated ice scraper, smartphone Wi-Fi storage, espresso maker, or wireless TV speakers?
• Record player & LPs. These are again gaining popularity. You can find collectible vintage record players as well as brand new ones online in every price range. Look for LPs at vintage record stores, antique malls, or online.
• Audiobook subscription. If the person on your list loves to read but just doesn’t have time for it, an audio subscription may be the perfect alternative. Your recipient can download books to his or her smartphone or iPod. Then they can listen while working out or on the drive to work.
• Music download subscription. One can never have too much music. Find subscriptions for music downloads at Amazon, Napster, iTunes, eMusic, and Spotify, to name a few.
• Annual nonprofit membership. Make the person on your list a card-carrying member of the National Audubon Society, Earth Policy Institute, Republican National Committee, Democratic National Committee, National Coalition for the Homeless, American Humane Society, or another organization that fits their interest. Most organization memberships include periodicals, among many other benefits.
• A trip or weekend away. This gift could be as simple as a nearby weekend away for rest and relaxation or a week-long adventure to a favorite destination. Watch for travel deals at Travelzoo, Travelocity, Google Flights, Airfairwatchdog, and Kayak.
• Museum membership. Is the person on your list an art enthusiast or history buff? If so, look for museum memberships in your recipient’s nearby metropolitan area. In addition to free entrance, museum memberships typically include extra perks such as entry into special exhibitions, discounts on special events, and periodic newsletters.