Valentine’s Day in February, Easter in April, Mother’s Day in May … the beginning of the year is blessed with many festive occasions. You can hardly catch a breath! What if you forgot to get a present or – oops – all the shops are closed? Hello Internet and DIY!
Fortunately (?) we live in an era where 24/7 shopping online and with a credit card is possible almost always and everywhere. A hotel is quickly booked, the same goes for the plane. You can whisk away year sweetheart, mom, friend or even the entire family at the blink of an eye. A spontaneous short trip is always a welcome gift, right? Well, as these days travel planning is somewhat uncertain, creative thinking is required!
Those who like it more personalized – and perhaps less expensive – can “improvise” gifts. Used objects can be repurposed – there are plenty of upcycling ideas on the Web – handwritten letters and cards are a sweet gesture, handicrafts are cute, a home-baked cake…
We’ve put together a few last-minute ideas for you. Have fun giving!
Gourmet Experience: order fine dining @ home
If your giftee is a foodie, the invitation to a gourmet dinner will surely make them happy! Here is an idea: check your local hotels for takeaway or delivery solutions. Especially around occasions like the before mentioned, many of them will create special menus for you to enjoy at home. So instead of having to stress about grocery shopping and cooking, you can just kick back and relax, and enjoy a “ready-to-eat” treat!
Handmade with love – A chocolate gift from Max Chocolatier
Chocolates are tiny tokens of love, particularly if they come with a personal message. To your mum, partner or friend, say “Thank You!… for sticking with me through life, the difficult times but also the sweeter moments.” Be it just one single truffle in a beautiful little box, assorted pralines, bars or chocolate covered fruit… offering chocolate as a gift is a charming gesture. Uh oh, the shop is already closed. Too late? Nooo! Consider offering a chocolate subscription from Max Chocolatier, a gift that keeps on giving! You can book it online right now >>>
All you have to do then is find an original way of presenting the gift: print out the details, form a paper roll and bind with a nice ribbon, for example. Or put it in an elegant envelope with the person’s name on, set a beautiful brunch table on Sunday morning and hide the surprise under their coffee cup, fold a paper veil and slip that in the bouquet of flowers (that you will, of course, have thought of getting, yes!)…
A chocolate subscription really is a sweet gift that will remind the receiver every month of how much you appreciate them. Other than that, chocolate and champagne are a great combo, of course! And if you feel particularly inspired you may organize either a fantastic brunch with salty as well as sweet foods, coffee, and hot chocolate, or even bake something. All these things really don’t cost the world but they are sure to put a big smile on your giftee’ s face!
A handmade flower arrangement – Upcycle used items like champagne crates, jar glasses…
The most original gifts are often those who cost nothing. Just your time and creativity. If you have old crates, jars, bottles and the like, don’t throw them away, upcycle them! Empty champagne bottles may serve as vases, crates as flower beds, jars may contain all sorts of things: chocolates, candy, homemade marmalade…
Anybody can go to a flower shop and buy a bouquet ready made. But wouldn’t it be charming to personalize an arrangement with your favorite person’s favorite things? Add fruit, for example, or any accessory that might show just how well you know them…
The possibilities are endless. If you have young children, you can have them pick mum’s favorite flowers in the garden or from a meadow and arrange them nicely in an upcycled container. Flowers in jam jars are also fantastic for the brunch table!
If your friend, mum or partner likes a tipple, surely they would not say “NO” to receiving a bottle of champagne with their flowery gift.
Sunday Brunch and Day Spa for your Mama – Spoil and pamper her, she deserves it
What does your mum desire the most? If the answer is “Some quality time with you!”, here an idea for Mother’s Day: Sunday Brunch followed by a Spa Treatment. In Geneva, for example, Grand Hotel Kempinski, offers special packages comprising brunch at Il Vero restaurant with its stunning lake views and relaxation at Spa Valmont.
This too is a gift you can still purchase on Mother’s Day and enjoy later. In the form of a gift voucher, for example, for her and a friend or, even better, for you and her! Spa Days are always great fun among girls.
And who does not like to brunch? The one at Kempinski Geneva is particularly opulent! We know because we tested it.
Bombom Bijoux New Summer Collections – sweet handmade jewelry from Switzerland
A delicious dinner, a weekend getaway, Valentine’s or Mother’s Day, there are many good reasons to wear beautiful jewelry. It sublimes all the best moments in life. Bombom Bijoux creates the sweetest pieces that make for a wonderful present that you can offer a loved one, a friend or yourself at any time!
Ana is not only a contributor here on coolbrandz and our “brunch testeuse” – Non! – she also, and above all else, is a fabulous jewelry designer! Just recently, Bombom Bijoux, her jewelry brand, launched a new summer collection. And there also is one specifically created to show L.O.V.E! Discover the collections: Bombom Heat / Love
Bepure Natural Skincare – Ethically sourced, fairtrade, vegan argan oils and essences
Every year, World Earth Day is celebrated on 22 April. Many even talk about the Earth Month of April. But the wellbeing of our planet should be top of mind every single day! On Mother’s Day, for example, let’s not forget Mother Gaia, our Mother Earth! She who feeds us, who lets us walk her forests, beaches, and mountains, run through meadows, pick flowers, bathe in her oceans and breathe her air… Valentine’s Day is a great occasion as well to show some love for our planet!
When looking for gifts we, as consumers, do have a choice. Find out what bepure does to lead their startup in the most sustainable way, to create jobs and protect Mother Nature all at the same time. Browse the eShop >>>