If this COVID-19 pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that kindness goes a long way, and we need to wash our hands a lot more. As we reach the end of 2023, it has also become apparent that we may need to purchase Christmas gifts for loved ones with this infectious virus in mind.
As challenging as this might sound, it’s actually relatively easy. Read on for tips on some of the best COVID-friendly Christmas gifts for the year we can’t wait to see the back of.
Packaged Treats
Receiving a container of Grandma’s home-baked cookies for Christmas used to be a heart-warming gesture. Now, though, it’s more likely to bring about anxiety. Any food produced in an unregulated kitchen from outside your social bubble can be a health hazard.
Instead of a homemade Christmas cake or cookies, why not go for Christmas hampers, instead? Purchasing packaged food that has been manufactured to high standards in a controlled environment can be the safest option as a gift. What’s more, it saves you from having to venture into a crowded supermarket. You can simply order them online for delivery directly to the recipient.
Customized Gifts
Do you find yourself remembering happier, safer times? Capture those memories in physical form with a customized gift for a loved one. Gather your favorite photos and turn them into mugs, calendars, key chains, books, canvases, and more.
While you may not be able to make new memories, you can at least produce printed goods that allow you to look back on the ones you’ve already made. You can even buy these online by uploading photos, which means they can be delivered safely to the recipient without you needing to visit a physical location.
A Subscription
Hundreds of thousands of people are bunkering down in their homes to keep themselves safe from COVID-19. While your home is your haven, it can become a bit boring doing the same thing, day in, and day out. So, if you want to offer a loved one a special experience, gift them a subscription.
Three in four Americans use a subscription service, so you know it will be appreciated. You may like to opt for a streaming service or something equally helpful, like a meal service or magazine subscription.
The Necessities
Many everyday necessities, such as masks, have been in short supply during the COVID-19 pandemic. It can even be tricky to collect regular grocery supplies like rice, pasta, bread, soap, hand sanitizer, flour, and yeast.
So, if you are in a position to do so, put together a collection of staples for someone in need. After all, Christmas is about giving, and you are sure to find whatever you can provide will be appreciated.
Vouchers
Millions of workers have lost their jobs because of the coronavirus. While you probably can’t give the gift of a job, you can certainly ease the load of someone who is without work. As a Christmas gift for a loved one, vouchers can go a long way.
The best part is, most stores offer them. Think about what your friends and family need the most. They might need a grocery store voucher to feed their family, or perhaps one that will take the sting out of new appliance purchases. It might not scream ‘festive,’ but it can be more meaningful than a pair of socks.
Christmas 2023 is shaping up to be one that we’ll remember for all the wrong reasons. Still, you can be a shining light with thoughtful gifts. Practical presents are going to be some of the most memorable during the year that COVID-19 ravaged the world.
