This is the season of giving, right in time for the cooler months where people are bound to come together and take care of one another.
Holiday gift-giving has long transcended material items: It celebrates experiences, relationships and feelings.
Strangely this tradition echoes back to practice from the period of Viking and Norse mythology where giving held great social and symbolic connotations.
In this article, we will come up with some imaginative and touching gifts that will leave your relatives and friends speechless about this particular holiday season.
The Joy of Giving
Ancient kings, clans and warriors exchanged gifts as a token of loyalty and trust (much like we use gifts today to show our love and appreciation).
The only thing that matters when giving is the emotion behind it, in all its simplicity or splendor.
This is a season to bask in the experience of being surrounded by loved ones, and there's no better gift than the reminder of why we care so damn much combined with sharing an exciting new book.
This season find creative and unique holiday gifts inspired by the deep cultural history of the Norse.
Personalized Gifts as Symbols of Connection
Personalized gifts are a wonderful way to express feelings towards people.
It showcases the level of commitment and care, making the receiver feel special. Below are a few ideas you can look into:
- Custom Photo Books: Put together all the precious moments that you have spent together in a gorgeous printed photo book much like a Viking chieftain would commemorate heroic deeds. You can add captions, small messages, and even quotes related to your common past thereby creating a nostalgic present/gift that celebrates your bond.
- Tailored Home Décor: Make a decorative piece, or wall art that is designed according to their tastes. This may be an illustration of a location you went to together or framed pictures of the city or states that you share common memories.
Experience Over Material: Gifts That Create Memories
Often, some of the finest presents are non-materials but memories in the making. Experience gifts bring a common joy and bond.
Just as Vikings gathered for feasts to celebrate victories, sign your loved ones up for a cooking class, which will show them how to cook a new type of cuisine.
This is even better when you join in as a bonding experience ! Think about the time when they made dinner and then consumed it together.
Handmade with Love: Craft Your Gifts
Vikings were fine artisans and are best known for their highly detailed metalwork, woodcarving and textile arts. Hand-made objects were an expression of the time and effort the giver had put into creating something.
The same goes for a handmade gift that to this day makes the recipient feel special because of all the time, effort and love put into its creation. Below are a few DIY gift ideas that mirror Viking craftsmanship.
- Cookies: Bake their favorite cookies and put them in a decorative box. And add a handwritten recipe card if you want to make it extra special. With the amazing smell and taste, there is no doubt that not only will this be perfect for winter days ahead but it will also bring them closer home while still far away.
- Homemade Candles: Craft a batch of candles in scents he or she loves. The handwritten tags can even be personalized with little notes or inspiring lines, making your ordinary candle a warm and thoughtful gift that will light up their room.
Thoughtful Subscription Services
While there were no Viking monthly subscription boxes, Vikings got the idea that a man does not have to go it completely alone, and that there is value in consistent relationships and support.
Today, opportunities like subscription services can make sure your gift is the gift that keeps giving all year long. Here are some more pragmatic suggestions;
- Book Subscription: Choose a subscription that sends them a new book each month based on their reading preferences. It’s a gift that will entertain and inspire them throughout the year, providing an escape into new worlds and stories.
- Meal Kit Delivery: For the foodie in your life, consider a meal kit subscription. It offers new recipes and ingredients, encouraging culinary creativity without the hassle of grocery shopping. Cooking together can also become a fun activity!
- Hobby Kits: Whether they love gardening, knitting, or crafting, there are subscription boxes tailored to their hobbies. Each month, they’ll receive new supplies and projects, keeping their passions alive and providing a little excitement.
Eco-Friendly Gifts: Thoughtful and Sustainable Choices
The Vikings lived in complete harmony with nature, each harvest had some use from the meat to skins and bones.
They were sustainable, similar to this year of eco-friendly gifts.
It is a way to show love and care for those close to our hearts but also the world we surround ourselves with. Below are two sustainable gift ideas to consider:
- Reusable Products: Here, think of giving the gift of a stainless-steel straw or beeswax wrap to help reduce waste and excess trash-two issues that can have a lasting impact on the planet. These practical items encourage a zero-waste lifestyle, which signifies that you are someone who cares about the environment and wants to help reduce single-use plastics and waste.
- Lab-Grown Jewelry: Much like the Vikings’ love for beautifully crafted ornaments, lab diamond jewelry or sustainably sourced jewelry offer an ethical way to give precious gifts while minimizing environmental impact.
The Gift of Time: Quality Moments Together
When all is said and done, the most valuable gift you can offer is your time and attention.
Nowadays, where everything seems to rush, taking the time to be with each other has got to be the best present of all.
Here are some meaningful examples of how to spend time with your dear ones:
- Home-Cooked Dinner: Have them come over for an intimate dinner as they try out their favorite meals. What they will appreciate is the time you spend on cooking which will help create a close and warm atmosphere.
- Game Night: Have them over for a game night with their favorite board games, snacks often included. It is a fun way to connect, have fun, and make happy memories out of the evening, which emphasizes the significance of the evening.
Final Words
Regardless of what present you decide on, the way the present is packaged has a great bearing.
Pack all your gifts in nice gift boxes or use fancy gift wrappers with ribbons and even attach some gift tags.