There are all kinds of directions you can go when it comes to gift-giving. If you’re thinking of going sentimental with an upcoming Christmas gift, or any gift for that matter, there are some great options out there.
Sentimental gifts may not be the right choice for everyone, but there’s probably someone you know who would appreciate a thoughtful present that shows how much you care. You can incorporate a special scent, a meaningful destination or a happy memory. Take your leading lady, for example. Even if it’s not the most lavish gift for your wife, a sentimental gift for her can be something that she’ll cherish forever — more than that new pair of sunglasses or fancy phone case she had on her list. What more could you want for someone that you love?
It’s been a tough couple of years, and this may be the first holiday in a while that you actually get to spend with your close friends and family. Make the most of it by going with some sentimental gifts like these for the people that you care about most.
1. Homesick Candle
BEST OVERALL
Not only is a candle a classic gift that anyone can enjoy, but Homesick candles also allow you to hit a sentimental chord in almost anyone. You can get one that smells like their home city, or their favorite place to travel, or that roadtrip you guys went on in your 20s. If you’re looking for a mom specifically, this one smells like flowers and breakfast and all of her efforts to make the house feel like a home. You can also add a handwritten note on the packageing to make it that much more personal.
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2. Montage
BEST VIRTUAL
If you’re okay with a gift that you can’t wrap and place under the tree, Montage is probably the best sentimental gift you could possibly get. All you have to do is send out a link to everyone that loves the recipient, and they get to record a special video message. Montage will put all of those clips together to create a heartwarming, tear-inducing group video gift that they can keep forever and watch whenever they’re missing their people.
3. Mixbook Photo Calendar
FOR SCRAPBOOKERS
During this time of year, a new calendar is always a solid gift idea. If there’s anyone in your life that loves scrapbooking, then we have a feeling they’ll love this next gift idea. Mixbook makes that calendar a bit more sentimental by adding in photos to celebrate memories and people you love. There are all different designs and formats so that you can perfectly customize a 2022 calendar for the person of your choosing.
4. Long Distance Friendship Lamp
FOR THE FAR AWAY FRIEND
We all have someone we love who lives far away. If you want to feel a little bit closer to them, get them these long-distance friendship lamps to benefit both of you. You take one, they take one, and when one of you is missing the other, you simply touch your lamp. It emits an ambient glow on the other lamp, so your loved one can see that you’re thinking of them. It’s a beautiful way to stay connected.
5. Watercolor House Portrait
FOR THE HOMEBODY
Home is where the heart is, as they say. Whether it’s a childhood home that someone still feels attached to or a cottage on the beach where you’ve shared some of the best memories, a custom watercolor portrait of that meaningful house makes a great sentimental gift.
6. Message in a Bottle
BEST NOVELTY
Sometimes it’s easier to write how you feel than to say it out loud. Scrawl down sweet nothings for a significant other or encouraging words for a friend and pop them into these little capsules. Whenever they need a little pick-me-up, they can open up one of these messages in a bottle and remember how loved they are.
7. Create Your Own Reel Viewer
BEST NOSTALGIC
Remember reel viewers from when you were young? If that was before your time, you’ll still enjoy this adult version of the childhood gadget everyone loved. All you have to do is assemble snapshots of your favorite memories and add them to your reel. It’ll be made to order to go along with the viewer, and you can gift both to a sentimental loved one who will enjoy it for years to come.
8. Hand Embroidered State Pillows
COZIEST
The state where you met your partner, or the state where you learned how to drive, or the state where you grew up can all have major sentimental value. If you’re looking for a sentimental gift that’ll bring a loved one back to the state where they had some memorable moments, these embroidered pillows are a thoughtful and lovely option. They’re hand-embroidered, featuring famous sites, cities and cultural icons to bring back all of the best memories from the comfort of your couch.
9. Custom Photo Puzzle
BEST INTERACTIVE
What’s better than a sentimental gift that’s also a wholesome family activity? We all know someone who loves puzzles, and this way, they get to piece together a beautiful memory. You can choose any of your favorite photos, and this Etsy account will turn it into a challenging jigsaw.
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