Intangible Gift Ideas:
Not Just Another Piece of Junk
These days, the materialism of the holidays is enough to get on anyone’s nerves. And, as the “hot” gifts of the season get more and more expensive, purchasing them at all can be out of reach for some. An intangible gift can be a great idea, if you’re tired of scouring the store shelves without satisfaction. Many intangible gift ideas are attached to an experience, letting your recipient have a fun, interesting time that will resonate in their mind a lot longer than a scented candle or a box of chocolates.
Donate Your Time and Skills
You can’t go wrong when you give the gift of your time and skills. If you have an interesting talent, consider offering a free lesson or time of instruction; you could teach someone how to strum a few guitar chords, write a sonnet, or shoot a free throw. If you don’t have any easily teachable talents, never fear; some of the best gifts of your time and energy don’t require any “special” knowledge. For a family member or friend who is very busy, cook them a week’s worth of meals, and freeze them in individually wrapped packages for easy use. Use your handyman skills to fix their leaky faucets or change their bike tire. If you put your time and energy to creative use, it will almost certainly be appreciated.
Tickets to Shows and Concerts
Tickets to a fun event are usually always a hit. Concerts, ballets, movies, Broadway musicals, and comedy acts are all great options. Jambase is a good website for checking out upcoming live music in any area and finding tickets. If you’re not sure exactly what they’d like to see, you can consider purchasing a Ticketmaster gift card, which can be used for a wide variety of shows.
Magazine and Journal Subscriptions
Most people love getting magazines in the mail, but they don’t take the time to order them for themselves. This is a nice gift, as well, because it will continue to bring the recipient pleasure throughout the year. Check out the Yahoo magazine directory for a comprehensive listing.
Donations to Interesting Charities
Some charities are especially fun to give to, because the donor gets to choose exactly which project to give the donation to. Kiva gift certificates let users choose which third-world entrepreneurs to fund, and DonorsChoose donors get to decide which classroom and project they want to connect with.
Web Upgrades
If you’re dealing with a technophile, it might make sense to give them an upgrade on their web accounts. Flickr pro accounts let users store unlimited amounts of photos, and an upgraded Netflix account will give monthly access to more movies.
For Kids
Kids love a good time, and they are surprisingly easy to please with intangible gifts. Take them to a local fair or amusement park for the afternoon, or to a hands-on museum. Twenty dollars in quarters and a trip to the arcade is one intangible experience a kid might never forget.