Unique Christmas Gifts that Will Be Remembered

Were you surprised to find the picture frame you lovingly picked out for your Aunt Ethel is being used as a water tray underneath her prize violet plant? Do you suspect the Christmas gifts you have been giving are secretly stashed away in closets until your yearly visit? Tired of giving the proverbial tie, sweater and socks to the person who has everything? This year, use this handy guide to help you pick out unique Christmas gifts that your loved ones will remember and cherish for years to come.

Selecting unique and memorable Christmas gifts does not require a trip to bank vault. In fact, some of the best Christmas gift ideas cost very little in relation to the value they provide to the recipient. The only thing the personalized Christmas gift requires is some creative thinking. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Gifts that Solve Problems

If you can find a gift that solves a simple complaint that your loved one mentions in passing, your gift will be remembered. When you think of the person you are getting the gift for, try to remember anything they have mentioned in passing that has disappointed them. For example, a complaint might sound like, "I can't believe the coffee shop near my house went out of business. I really miss stopping there to get coffee." Or, "I must be sleeping funny, because I keep waking up with a stiff neck."

Here are some examples of gifts that solve problems for the examples given above. For the person complaining about no longer being able to stop and get coffee at their favorite coffee shop, how about getting them a year's worth of their favorite coffee delivered to their house? Most coffee places offer monthly delivery service for a specified period of time. Simply sign up and select the quantity to be shipped at the same time every month. Your friend or loved one will be reminded once a month that you are thinking of them. For the person complaining about not getting a good night's sleep, perhaps a comfy luxury pillow would help. Tempur Pedic makes soft, plush pillows out of their famous mattress foam that are every bit as wonderful as their mattresses. Another thoughtful gift would be a gift certificate for a neck and shoulder massage at a local spa.

Gifts of Luxury

Gifts of luxury are especially memorable because they express your interest in what interests your loved ones. If your sister is a chocolate lover, for example, then a gift basket of gourmet chocolates will make an impression. If your wife or girlfriend loves to take baths, then a hand-picked basket of luxury bath oils and soaps along with a big, fluffy bathrobe will make her fall in love with you all over again. If your husband or boyfriend follows a particular sports team, consider getting him a jacket featuring the team's colors and logo.

The rule of thumb with luxury gifts is, if it's something you can find in every store, then it is not a luxury item. If it looks like you went out of your way to find that special luxury treat they wish for but would never buy for themselves, then you've scored major brownie points.

Gifts of Action

There is always someone on your Christmas gift giving list that seems to have it all. For this person, luxury items are commonplace, so you have to get really creative to make your gift memorable. When it comes to this person, consider again what this person enjoys the most. Does this person love to cook or bake? Consider giving them a gift certificate for a culinary class. Most colleges and universities, along with specialty cookware stores offer evening culinary classes. Jump online to buy a certificate. Is your friend a wine connoisseur? Why not get them a gift certificate to tour a local winery, complete with wine tasting? If your man is into sports, perhaps a gift certificate to play laser tag or paintball with his buddies would be a home run. Or get him a month of boxing or karate lessons.

All of these Christmas gifts actively involve the recipient, and the experience is what makes a gift of action such a memorable one.

Christmas Gifts to Avoid

The least memorable Christmas gifts are those that do not require any interaction with the recipient. These are items such as ties, socks, sweaters, photo frames, and other such knick knacks. Unless the person specifically mentions desiring a specific item, try to avoid these if you can. If it can be put on a shelf in a closet, then it's probably not a memorable gift.

The beauty of the unique Christmas gift is that it shows you have put thought and care into the selection of your gift. It will provide warm memories for years to come for it is sure to be a unique and very personalized Christmas gift. With the advent of the Internet, obtaining the memorable gift is easier than ever, too. There is virtually a specialized store for everything imaginable, and even local specialty stores offer shipment of their items to out-of-town buyers. Just be sure to order early to allow plenty of time for shipping.