I'm looking for an original gift: 25 ideas

Finding an original gift sometimes feels like an impossible task. You google, scroll through dozens of gift lists, and still end up at the same standard options: a gift card, a book, or yet another serving board.. Not that there's anything wrong with those, but they're not very original.

So here are 25 ideas (you can thank us later ;-)), divided into a few categories, to get you started. 

Gifts with personal attention

1. A diary in which you have already filled in the first pages with memories
2. A photo book with captions only the two of you understand
3. A letter written by several friends or family members
4. An audio or video message from people the recipient misses or appreciates
5. A cheerful object that shows the recipient a personal wish from you every 24 hours; such as a Wishly

Gifts that are an experience

6. A workshop in something the recipient has always wanted to learn, think salsa dancing, pottery, voice acting, mosaics, glassblowing, and so on. 
7. A day out, with no specific goal, just to be together
8. A cooking workshop with a dish that evokes a special memory
9. A stargazing evening at Sonnenborgh Utrecht
10. A tasting, of wine, chocolate or regional products

Gifts that save or lighten time

11. Having someone else do a tidying or organising session (definitely a good gift for Mother's Day)
12. A meal service for a busy week (Thuisbezorgd has gift cards)
13. A cleaning session or odd job that has been on the list for months
14. An evening of babysitting so parents can relax for a bit
15. A subscription to something that makes life just a little easier

Gifts you make yourself

16. Homemade jam, cookies or another treat with a personal label (you can design it yourself, great fun, via Canva.  
17. A handwritten poem or story about the recipient
18. A special playlist with songs that evoke memories
19. A homemade card with a funny or touching message
20. A drawing or painting, even if you're no artist

Gifts that last longer than a moment

21. A plant that lasts for years and symbolises the recipient (an olive tree for someone loyal or patient, an apple tree for someone who loves baking apple pie, etc.)
22. A time capsule to open only after a year, full of wishes and/or memories
23. Something that grows in value, like a good bottle of wine or an investment account
24. A membership for a museum or library
25. An object with several wishes or messages hidden inside, which the recipient discovers day by day

What these ideas have in common

If you look closely at the list, something stands out: the most original gifts rarely revolve around the object itself. They revolve around time, attention, or a story. That is exactly why a gift like a Wishly works so well for people looking for something other than "yet another thing"; you write the wishes and choose which kind of Wishly you want to put them in, so the recipient gets a new small moment of attention from you day after day..

Not sure whether this or one of the other gifts would be nice for someone who already has everything? Then also read our article "What do you give someone who already has everything?", in which we go deeper into gifts that really stick.