3 Ways To Gift Care For Christmas

What is the perfect gift? The answer depends on the giver, the recipient and the circumstances. One thing is always the same, though. You want the gift to have meaning.

If you’re looking for a deeper gift idea that goes beyond predictable or traditional options, focus on concepts rather than specific ideas. Rather than looking at lists of items for inspiration, start with themes, like care and support.

Here are three meaningful gift ideas that emphasize things like stress relief, convenience and long-term well-being.

Send A Warm Hug

Okay, you can’t send a literal hug. But there are many ways you can invest in an “I’m thinking of you” gesture that goes beyond a box of chocolates.

Look for options that include comforting gestures. You might send a tasty treat, a soft piece of clothing, or a Hygge-themed pre-built “cozy” kit. Quality options often have unique features that can personalize a gift, too.

A good example of a “send a warm hug” gift is Spoonful of Comfort. The comfort food care package brand has mastered the craft of displaying care from a distance. They allow you to send handcrafted gifts that include warm soups, fresh rolls, and gooey cookies. They even have a selection of holiday-themed options that make a basket more festive.

If you want to make someone feel warm on the inside, look for an option like this — one that shows you would wrap them up in a big bear hug if you were with them.

Gift A Helper

If you know someone who is struggling in a specific area of life, look for ways to give them a leg up. The key here is blending the practical with the meaningful.

For instance, if someone is struggling with a health issue that limits their mobility, hire a dog walker to help them keep their four-legged friend healthy. If they’re in a particularly busy time of life, try gifting a house cleaner for the next six months.

If they don’t necessarily need anything, look for a luxury splurge that would free up their time and de-stress. One great example is a personal chef service. The company offers an “experience” option for two that allows “your loved ones to discover what it feels (and tastes) like to enjoy a Private Chef Experience.”

If you know someone needs support, be it physical, emotional, or mental, show them that you care with a targeted support gift. Regardless of whether it’s practical or luxurious, make sure it’s loaded with deeper meaning.

Care For Their Future Self

If someone doesn’t have a pressing current need, you can also look for ways to invest in their future. A gift that focuses on the future could look like a financial planning session, music lessons, or professional organizing.

These kinds of gestures can go a long way in showing someone that you care not just about how they’re doing, but where they’re going. It can show that you’re on their team and you’re rooting for them to win in the game of life.

A good example here is a business or life coach. A career coaching service is a great option for a young adult looking for advice to chart their future. It could also work for an antsy friend looking to make the most of a midlife pivot.

Sometimes the most meaningful care is investing in what comes next. The holidays are a great way to show your friends and family that you’re on their team for the long haul.

Gifting Care This Holiday Season

Gifts that display care might seem hard to find. It helps to think beyond token ideas or flashy price tags.

If you want to show your loved ones that you genuinely care about them this holiday season, invest in meaningful concepts behind every gift. Send a hug from afar. Give a helper in a time of need. Invest in someone’s future. When you emphasize the concept, even a simple idea like a bowl of soup can start to take on a much deeper meaning.

BDG Media newsroom and editorial staff were not involved in the creation of this content.