8 Thoughtful Gift Ideas to Send Instead of Flowers
Don't get us wrong, we love flowers! The sight of fresh blooms in the garden let us know that spring is on the way, summer meadows burst into life with glorious wildflowers and seeing all of the bees at work whilst wandering through public gardens is a joy to witness.
Yet, despite being the classic go-to gift, sending a bunch of flowers does have it's drawbacks. If they arrive in great condition, which, let's be honest, some of the time they don't, they can look absolutely stunning, but flowers demand a lot of care and attention to keep them looking and lasting their very best. Some even say that you need to trim the stems on a daily basis... who has time for that?! They are usually fairly expensive to buy and unfortunately they don't last all that long either. Flowers have sadly become the 'easy gift' option, meaning it requires very little thought when choosing and sending a bouquet. This is especially true when people are exceptionally busy, which most of us are, and finding the time to find a gift that is perfect for the person in mind isn't easy, we know.
But there are so many thoughtful alternatives out there for absolutely any and every occasion. Birthdays, anniversaries, Mother's Day, congratulations, thank you and 'just because' are some of the occasions people are looking to send gifts and choosing something other than the usual bunch of flowers will really brighten their day.
So, get creative with your gift choices and hopefully something here will get you back to being excited to send presents to friends, family and loved ones.
1. Pre-Filled Gift Boxes
Yep, naturally that would be our first suggestion but only because we think it's an awesome one! Gift boxes that have been chosen and filled for you are a fantastic choice when time is short, making finding, buying and sending a gift stress-free, quick and enjoyable as it doesn't take a huge amount of effort.
These curated gifts are usually filled with a lovely selection from lots of small businesses and the beauty of that is that you are not only supporting them when you buy your gift but you are getting word out to others about them and helping to get them more recognition. This is so important in a world where the big guns usually win hands down.
This featured gift box comes pre-packed, ready to be sent straight to the recipient (or simply to treat yourself), and has been thoughtfully designed and packed to show kindness and compassion. Containing lots of self-care products, this gift box show that your special someone is in your thoughts and you get to give the best present with minimal effort.
2. Candles
The gift of a candle is perfect for so many reasons and there aren't many people who wouldn't like receiving one as a present.
Candle Benefits:
- they have the ability to add a beautiful calming glow to any room, creating a space that feels warm, cost and inviting.
- they are proven to soothe and calm the mind with the slightly mesmerising flame and the soft warm glow helping us to feel relaxed and comfortable.
- gently scented candles not only leave rooms smelling gorgeous but they can transport you to a whole other place. Coconut scented candles really remind me of warm summer days spent lazing by the beach, whilst cotton scented ones remind me of childhood and the divine fresh scent of clean washing hanging on a line.
- they are perfect for any occasion, happy or sad, and some have the option to personalise with a message of your choosing. They can also be paired with another self-care gift, such as an eye mask or bath salts, to make someone feel extra special.
- they last a long time and they look great on a shelf combined with other beautiful ornaments and photos.
3. A Self Care Hamper
Where flowers require a whole lot of looking after, a self care hamper actually looks after you and with the stress and tensions of everyday life, everyone could do with a little pamper time. There's no better gift for that than a hamper filled to the brim with relaxing products designed to melt away those aching muscles, tense heads and tired minds.
This self care gift box contains all the right products to relieve stress and induce sleep. For the perfect evening stress buster, add 1 or 2 mini bath bombs to a warm running bath, lie back and relax whilst the calming lavender scent works its magic. Following on from the bath, rub a few drops of the sweet dreams lavender oil onto pulse points and slowly inhale to quiet the mind, calm the body and relieve any lingering tensions. Saving the chocolate to last, which might seem controversial but bear with me, this vegan chocolate bar is full of 100% natural ingredients and one that is beneficial to sleep... raw cacao. This magic ingredient is high in magnesium and tryptophan and together they soothe, calm and relax you making chocolate the perfect bedtime snack. Hurray!
4. Gift Cards
Gift cards give the recipient the freedom to pick out exactly what they want, without you having to spend hours and hours trawling the shops or the internet for the perfect present. They can either buy something outright or use it to contribute to something a bit bigger. Other friends or family members can also be part of the present by topping it up leaving the recipient with a good chunk to spend.
Some might think that gift cards are a bit of a cop out but they really can make ideal gifts, especially for those who are super tricky to buy for. You also shouldn't get that dreaded sinking feeling when you realise that the gift you've just spent hours choosing is a gift that they really don't want or even like - we've all been to that place and it's not one any of us would like to repeat any time soon!
5. Create Your Own Gift Bundle
Just like the curated boxes but with more control over what goes inside, building
6. Chocolates
We're going to let you into a little secret... chocolate has super powers! It has the amazing ability to provide comfort and happiness and it delivers just the right amount of feel-good chemicals that you need. It's like getting a big hug in one little hit.
Chocolate is great for literally any reason except one and that would be if they aren't a chocolate fan. If your friend is feeling sad, chocolate will most definitely cheer them up a little - it's like a hug, remember. When you have someone's birthday coming up, chocolate is your answer. If a loved one receives some good news, you got it, celebrate with chocolate. There is even seriously delicious non-dairy chocolate out there for anyone who is a vegan or a non-dairy lover, such as Raw Halo who use organic and ethically sourced ingredients, creamed coconut and coconut sugar, to naturally sweeten their chocolate.
7. House Plants
Ok, so these do require a little maintenance but, unlike flowers, they can last a lifetime and living plants have far greater benefits than cut flowers do. They assist in purifying the air by naturally removing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen during the day which is even more beneficial in environments where there is little to no ventilation. They add colour and visual interest to rooms and house plants are also known to reduce stress, boost moods and relieve tension. Now who wouldn't love all of that as a gift?!
8. Subscription Boxes
We are big fans of subscription boxes. There is so much choice out there and it's a really great gift idea for those harder to buy for friends and loved ones. They are also brilliant gifts that never stop giving - well, until the subscription ends that is.
If your recipient is a skincare lover you could opt for a beauty based subscription box, if they have a penchant for sweet treats why not opt for a chocolate or candy themed subscription, or if they love all things stationery there are lots of lovely themed boxes out there that contain notecard sets, notebooks, and pens.
Whatever the reason for sending a gift, thinking outside of the norm will often be much more appreciated and loved than yet another bunch of flowers.
