Not home for the holidays? 10 great gifts to give from afar
(BPT) - The holidays are meant to be shared with friends and family both near and far. If you have loved ones spread across the country, you can still send well wishes and hopes for a festive holiday with a few great gifts that can be delivered right to their doorstep. Your thoughtfulness won’t go unnoticed and is sure to set the stage for the perfect holiday – even if you are thousands of miles away. Here are 10 perfect presents to send that are guaranteed to impress:
1. Brighten their holiday by sending a stunning centerpiece
Even if you can’t be there for that special holiday meal, you can add to the occasion by gifting a holiday centerpiece that makes any meal extra jolly. Look for arrangements with pine, fir and cedar because these elements embrace the essence of the season. The Home for the Holidays Bouquet & Centerpiece Bundle from ProFlowers includes a stunning centerpiece with tapered candles, greenery and a cute cardinal, plus a separate bouquet of white lilies, red tulips and fir accents.
2. Enhance the ambience around the tree with stylish decor
During the holiday season, a lot of time is spent snuggling around the fireplace and singing carols by the tree. Enhance the ambience for loved ones even when you’re not there by gifting decor that is delightfully festive. A soft, bright red throw adds a splash of color to the room and encourages cuddling up. The Deluxe Santa’s Sleigh Centerpiece from ProFlowers is made of fresh Christmas greens, flocked pinecones and two red candles all nestled in a reusable red sleigh is the perfect finishing touch.
3. Send lip-smacking treats that everyone loves
You might not be there for the annual cookie exchange, but you can still send something sweet to impress the loved ones on your gift list. No matter how young or old the recipient is, dipped strawberries are a guaranteed crowd pleaser. Gourmet Dipped Christmas Strawberries from Shari’s Berries feature juicy strawberries enveloped in decadent dips with fun festive accents that are sure to make anyone smile.
4. Let them have cake!
Whether sent to a loved one’s work or home, a sweet holiday treat is guaranteed to brighten his or her day. This year, think outside the cake box and send something different to tempt taste buds, like Assorted Cake Truffles from Shari’s Berries – bite-sized indulgences perfect for sharing with coworkers, friends, family and whoever is around and looking for a holiday pick-me-up!
5. Mail a gift that celebrates all the sweet things in life
Feeling blue about missing out on family traditions? Send something sweet in lieu of your presence, like a gift box with a variety of treats that will ensure everyone has a favorite sweet indulgence to munch on. If you don’t have the time to make a basket yourself, consider the Christmas Chocolate & Sweets Box from Cherry Moon Farms that includes decadent milk chocolate-dipped marshmallows, dark-chocolate almond bark, cocoa biscotti bites and much more. From tree trimming to caroling, this gift will make holiday traditions more joyful, even if you’re not there.
6. Add a personal touch to holiday gatherings
You won’t be there in person, but that doesn’t mean you can’t add a personal touch to your holiday gifts. Personalization is the year’s hottest gifting trend because it customizes gifts to make them one of a kind. For example, Personal Creations’ Stoneware Casserole Dish can be personalized with a name or special message for your best friend, parents or any home cook in your life.
7. Give a nod to guy friends across the country
Sure, you wish you were there to give dear old Dad a holiday hug or drink a brew with your best guy friend. But when you can’t visit, send a gift that is sure to appeal to his sophisticated side. A silk tie or cologne will do, but step it up this year and really impress with Personal Creations’ beautifully-crafted Leather Watch Box with a hinged glass lid, soft lining and a secure key-lock closure. Make it extra special by personalizing the box with any three initials.
8. Make their holiday toast extra special
You can’t raise a glass with them, but that doesn’t mean you can’t give them a reason to toast to the new year. In addition to a favorite bottle, send extras that bring the best of wine country to their table like gourmet crackers, fresh fruit or imported cheese. Finish with Sesame’s Napa Table Gift Set that features Porcini Risotto by Wine Forest Wild Foods, Basil Infused Olive Oil by Stonehouse Olive Oil, Lavendar Salt by The Girl and The Fig, and more.
9. Stock the bar with cheer
Enhance loved one’s merriment from afar with a gift that stocks the bar full of lovely libations and all the fun accessories needed for a grand party. From crystal glasses to cocktail accompaniments, the sky is the limit for what you can send to add extra cheer to their holiday drinks. One great gift idea is the American Rye Gift Set from Sesame. It features an Old Fashioned mixer by Bittermilk, Rocking Whiskey Glasses by Sagaform and a King Ice Cube Tray by Tovolo.
10. Skip the presents and gift an experience of a lifetime
If you have someone who is particularly difficult to buy for or who just doesn’t need any more “stuff,” a gift experience is the ideal solution. Perhaps it’s a spa day for Mom or golf lessons with that expert Dad has been talking about. Get inspired by different experiential gifts at www.gifts.com. From racing an exotic car to a trying out new beers on a brewery tour, there are experiences to suit any personality.
