Unique holiday gift ideas they’ll actually love
By Nathan Corrigan•Last updated Dec 13, 2021
Last updated Dec 13, 2021
Table of Contents
- Clean and organize their home or office
- Take the hassle out of home repairs
- Help them reach their fitness goals
- Arrange a five-star, multi-course meal
- Introduce them to a new hobby
- Alleviate their stress
- Give them a royal spa treatment
- Help out with pet training or sitting
- Set up a self-portrait session
- Boost their curb appeal
- Use Thumbtack to find unique holiday gift ideas
Find local pros for your project
Search for pros
Try as we might to find the perfect holiday gifts for everyone on our list, we all have at least that one person who's tough to shop for. Maybe even several. But sometimes the best gifts aren't things — they're experiences and services.
This holiday season, instead of shopping for gadgets, clothing, toys and trinkets, think about what will make your loved ones’ lives easier. What will broaden their horizons, create lasting memories or truly help them take a load off? Chances are, one of these holiday gift ideas will warm their heart — or help them destress — this holiday.
Clean and organize their home or office
Not many people truly enjoy cleaning their homes from top to bottom. And with busy schedules and plenty of responsibilities, most people simply don't have the time. That’s why paying for a deep house cleaning and professional organization services is such a thoughtful gift. You could give them one thorough cleaning or sign a loved one up for weekly or monthly service. If you're short on cash but have the time, put on your gloves, grab a broom, and make it a DIY gift.
Whichever route you take, house cleaning is a great gift for just about anyone. It’s especially helpful for an older relative who has a hard time with the physical work or for college students who seem unable to clean up after themselves. It’s also a great gift for your parents — you know, to make up for all the cleaning they’ve done after you over the years.
Take the hassle out of home repairs
As every homeowner knows, repairs never really end. Even people with the DIY skills to handle their own home repairs and maintenance often don’t have the time. That’s what makes hiring a handyman such a useful gift. Almost anyone can benefit from it.
There are local handymen and women who offer a wide range of services, from jack-of-all-trades repair help to trained specialists. You could give your dad the gift of handyman services to help with minor repairs around the house, or hire someone to help your cousin with the mess in his garage. Did your grandparents hang holiday lights and decorations this year? Pay a professional to take them down after the holidays and save them the hassle.
Help them reach their fitness goals
If you know someone who’s obsessed with fitness or recently committed to getting in shape, you might be tempted to get them a home workout contraption that ends up in the closet for years before winding up at a yard sale. There’s a better option: give them their own personal trainer.
A wide range of personal trainers are available for in-person and virtual sessions. They work with individuals or groups to help them meet their health and fitness goals, and their services make great gifts for practically anyone who wants to get healthier. If you know they have a special interest in a particular type of physical activity (yoga, kickboxing, and so on), that’s even better.
Of course, if getting in shape is one of your own New Year’s resolutions, you might want to save this gift for yourself.
Arrange a five-star, multi-course meal
You can bring a five-star meal to anyone’s dining table by hiring a personal chef for a night. It’s a unique gift idea that creates a memorable, delicious experience for any hard-to-shop-for person. It’s an especially great couples’ gift — who wouldn’t want a romantic dinner cooked by a top-rated chef?
Depending on who’s available in your area, you can find a personal chef who specializes in a specific cuisine and works with any dietary restrictions your recipient may have, including gluten-free, vegetarian, or keto. Many personal chefs also host virtual or in-person cooking classes, which can be a great gift for someone who would enjoy learning a few new cooking skills.
Introduce them to a new hobby
Sometimes the hardest part about learning something new is taking that first step. Gifts like private guitar, piano, language, or painting lessons are great for anyone who has always wanted to explore a new hobby but could never find the time.
Of course, it’s important to give this gift to someone who truly wants it, or else lessons can feel more like a chore than a gift. But if you know someone who has wanted to learn an instrument or whose child is a budding artist, lessons can be truly life-changing. There’s a good chance they’ll thank you for it for years to come.
Alleviate their stress
Life can be stressful. Yet many of us don’t have the time or resources to truly invest in self-care and wellness. Help your loved ones prioritize that by scheduling a yoga class or a meditation session with a professional near you.
Another great stress-relieving gift idea is a relaxing massage. It’s an especially thoughtful gift for anyone who works hard and doesn’t often get to do enough for themselves.
It’s important to choose a top-rated massage therapist. Look for someone who offers a physical gift card or certificate. It’s also a good idea to give the recipient a little background, especially if they don’t regularly get massages. Let them know that you see how hard they’ve been working, or how much stress they’ve been under, and that it’s time to be pampered a bit.
Give them a royal spa treatment
Everyone needs to treat themselves now and again. Few things are more luxurious than a therapeutic facial treatment and other spa services. These are the perfect gifts for stressed or overworked friends who could use a little R&R.
Facials are most often done by a licensed cosmetician, esthetician, or dermatologist, and typically last 60 to 90 minutes. You could also give someone a series of 30-minute mini facial treatments.
Salon and spa services make a great couples’ gift — especially if you’re one half of the equation. Whether you’re planning a romantic spa day or just want to give someone a professional mani-pedi, salon and spa services are some of the best experience-based gifts because they melt tension and make people feel restored. That’s a gift indeed.
Help out with pet training or sitting
Being a dog mom or dad is hard work. Sure, you could give your favorite pet owner some new treats or toys for their four-legged friends, but how about getting them something they can really use?
Arrange for a professional dog trainer to help with a puppy’s potty training and teach them to stay off the couch. Or maybe you know someone who likes to travel and desperately needs a reliable pet sitter? Come to think of it, this might be a gift you could use for yourself this holiday season.
Set up a self-portrait session
Not many people choose to commission a self-portrait. But hiring a portrait artist can be a surprising and often emotional gift that will be appreciated for years to come.
A custom portrait makes a great gift for newlyweds or for a couple who has recently welcomed their first child. You might also commission a house portrait for someone who has just purchased their first home, or a pet portrait for a loved one who has recently gained or lost a beloved pet.
Boost their curb appeal
Keeping up with a garden or lawn can be a lot for anyone to handle, especially during the winter. From mowing the lawn and trimming shrubs to winterizing the pool and pressure washing the patio, it’s an endless series of physically intense tasks. This is why landscaping services can be a helpful gift for those who need them.
Depending on who you’re shopping for, the ideal gift might be snow or leaf removal, swimming pool maintenance or deck and patio repair. If you’re a particularly handy person, you could always do it for them. But many jobs are best left to professionals.
Use Thumbtack to find unique holiday gift ideas
The most important things to consider when choosing a gift are the recipient’s needs, wants, and interests. Think about how they might like to feel, and give the gift of an experience or service they can enjoy and treasure rather than an object that brings fleeting happiness. If you’re looking for more gift ideas, there’s no shortage of great experiences on Thumbtack.
How it works.
Search.
Browse profiles, see prices and use filters to find pros who match your project.
Chat.
Contact the pros you like to discuss project details.
Hire.
Check pro availability and book appointments right in the app.
Find local pros for your project
Tell us what you're looking for and we'll show you pros right for the job, with prices.