Text by Caitlyn Koser
Statistics show that many Christmas shoppers get a head start on their shopping in October or even earlier. Perhaps some do so to avoid the panic for those impossible-to-buy-for folks on the list. Fear not: With this variety of gifts, you’ll be prepared to delight even the most head-scratching giftees.
Airbnb gift certificate. Looking to give an anniversary getaway, a girls’ weekend or a just-because trip? Tiny high-rise urban apartment, beach cottage, rustic cabin, treehouse, caboose, farm stay, big city, a veritable something-for-everyone.
Blueberry bushes. Relatively affordable and delicious, even a couple blueberry bushes can produce enough for significant enjoyment once mature. A little learning curve is needed for pruning and keeping away deer, but the fruit of the labor is worth it.
Custom house portrait. Sites like Etsy offer whimsical, custom paintings of a home, immortalized on the walls in watercolor, oil or acrylic.
Deck of cards. Often, memorable vacation spots offer decks of cards featuring pictures of the destination for a unique collection that won’t sit on a shelf. The versatility of cards is a plus; they’re so small that pulling a stack out when stuck in a waiting room or in an unexpected power outage is a breeze.
Essential oil diffuser. Perfect for any room, a soothing scent can enhance the atmosphere for working, relaxing or sleeping. Diffusers are relatively inexpensive and freshen up a space minus headaches or side effects from more mainstream scents.
Freeze-dried meals. As versatile as they are quick, freeze-dried meals come in handy in a variety of situations from a classic NRV ice storm power outage to a backcountry trip around the campfire. They don’t all taste like cardboard; research yummy, nutritious options in myriad meal choices, budget, calorie-dense or gourmet.
Greenhouse. Coming in all shapes and sizes, a greenhouse is the perfect gift for a friend with a green thumb. From high-end to simple, a greenhouse insulates and extends the growing season for plants and magnifies even a limited amount of sunshine.
Hot sauce. A perfect gift to satisfy the spice-lover’s palate is a hot sauce set with samples from a variety of countries in different flavors at various spice levels.
Ice hockey tickets. Local teams in Wytheville and Roanoke pack a punch of action on the ice, offering fast-paced entertainment for the hockey lover on your list.
Jigsaw puzzle. Whether the giftee is the 3,000-piece, noggin-scratching, snowy landscape type or the shorter accomplishment of a mosaic of lovable pups – or even a mail-in picture of your choice – jigsaw puzzles are a time-honored year-round tradition.
Karaoke machine. Know someone who loves jamming out? Gift a karaoke machine – the classic crowd-pleaser and delight for those who love singing out loud.
Lantern. Useful for a power outage, tent camping or a cozy glow on a living room table, the lantern’s versatility and practicality make it an enduring gift.
Marble chaser. For the kiddos and the young at heart, marble chasers can be as complex or as simple as you want to handle. More sophisticated ones work well for tweens or adults looking to rediscover a childhood favorite.
Nature guides. For the mushroom, butterfly, tree, rock or flower aficionado, a specific nature guide is personalized and shows support for your loved one’s interest.
Orb boomerang ball. Throw this small, unassuming-looking ball in the air at the right angle, and it’ll float right back to you. It’s alluring for kids and adults alike.
Pinball museum tickets. Tucked inside the heart of downtown Roanoke is a museum bursting with light and the nostalgic noise of pinball machines. For fun entertainment, get a gift certificate to one of many pinball arcades.
Quote. Frame a catchy, sage or plain funny quote from a kid’s hilarious mispronunciation, a patriotic Virginia statesman or a faithful Scripture reference.
Rechargeable hand warmer. No more cold fingers on frosty New River Valley nights! For the one on your list who is perpetually experiencing freezing fingers, a hand warmer offers a toasty and inexpensive solution.
Sparkling water maker. If you have an affectation for soda or sparkling water but dislike the price and the environmental cost of bottles and cans, a carbonated soda or sparkling water maker might be a perfect antidote. These handy machines infuse carbon dioxide from a refillable cartridge into water or other beverages.
Tabletop spiralizer. Spiralizers make thin, funky ribbons out of vegetables or fruit. Think zoodles – gluten-free zucchini noodles with the bouncy texture of real pasta.
Utensil set. Everyone has a practical, perpetually-prepared friend in their life who doesn’t travel without the essentials. Gift a portable, travel-friendly and eco-friendly utensil set (think bamboo or stainless steel) for those messy car meals.
Vinyl. Talk about nostalgia – bring out the vinyl! Online stores offer classics or unique, limited-edition records. Find out your loved one’s favorite, and shop around for the best price. Bonus: Cozy background music during the holidays?
Wind chimes. The classic sound brings nostalgia and calm, hung on a back deck or front porch. Some play tunes. This author’s favorite is a chime on the back deck that claims to play Amazing Grace, but has since devolved into a beautiful but tuneless sound.
Xocolatl (Mexican hot chocolate). What’s cozier than whipping up a batch of hot chocolate on Christmas morning? Xocolatl is a Mexican hot chocolate made with chili peppers, resulting in a more bitter, earthy taste than regular hot cocoa and a delightful texture to match.
Yahtzee. Yahtzee is a classic dice game that is brilliantly simple in its design but highly strategic in its playing. Created in 1956, the game has been around for decades and provides high-quality, classic family fun.
Zipline. Ziplines are classic and thrilling, but they don’t have to break the bank. Even a small one between two trees in a backyard is an exhilarating experience.
Caitlyn Koser is a homeschool student and writer who – with many ideas from her family that ran the spectrum from sensible to absurd – compiled this list and may have snuck in a few of her own wish list ideas.
This story appears in the November–December issue of New River Valley Magazine.
