Certainly post Amazon’s Prime Deals Days, you are feeling the pressure of holiday gift giving. Already. Are you like me, where every year you set high expectations on getting the most unique, extremely thoughtful gifts for each individual on your list? Then, by the time the next Amazon Prime Deal Days rolls around, you are madly clicking on items just to check people off your list?

Since last year’s list was such a huge hit, I’m releasing this list a bit earlier this year. You now have time to breathe, prepare and order these incredibly thoughtful gifts – ones that resonate with the recipient’s personality, passions and desires. Gifts that will create lasting memories long after the holidays while strengthening the bonds of love and friendship in the joy of giving.

I stuck with my requirements from last year when gathering this list:

• Nothing that can be outgrown within a few months or years.

• Something that won’t wear out.

• Something that won’t ever go out of style.

• Doesn’t require batteries.

• Something that could be reused or passed along.

• One-of-a-kind, “where-did-you-find-this” type of present.

And added 2 more;

·        Supports a small business, whether directly or indirectly.

·        Something that helps to preserve family history.

Let’s get to it! (In no particular order)

1.       FOR THE MUSIC LOVER! Custom Vinyl Records. You can record original music on the records from www.meeprecords.com or also on Etsy through Phonocats and Vinyley Custom Records – both receiving rave reviews.  You can also create a ‘mix tape’ of sorts, but you must provide the purchased song file. And to be sure that this is for personal use, not for resale. Because then you must pay a huge licensing fee.

2.       Speaking of mixed tapes (yep, I’m that old – still have some too!), I stumbled across this great book on Amazon: The Mixed Tape of My Life Book. There are over 200 questions and prompts to respond to with the music that made an impact throughout your life. What a great way to record your life story – through music!

3.       FOR THE FOOD LOVER! Custom cookbooks! Who has a boatload of recipes they’ve created? Or maybe your family, collectively, has special meals for special occasions – this a great gift for everyone around the table. There are a few sites that offer this service, but the most creative one seems to be Mixbook. If you don’t have enough recipes for a book, you can have a single recipe printed on wall art or cutting boards! Just search in Etsy.

4.       FOR THE WRITER! Know someone who has the gift of writing? Whether it be stories, poems or just journaling their life, there are some lovely book publishing services available. Bookemon and Lulu to name two.

5.       FROM THE KIDDOS (or not!) This book is so simple and easy, but would mean so much in the end! Knock Knock What I Love About You. There are about 30 prompts for writing responses and also room to include pictures. There is a plethora of books to choose from – Mom, Dad, Grandpa, Us…

6.       FOR THE FAMILY HISTORIAN. So many gift ideas, perhaps a gift card so they can choose their own? There is an Ancestry Family History Book, a Family Tree post or Wall Calendar…all from MyCanvas.

7.       FOR THE CARD AND GAME PLAYER. Seems today you can get pretty much anything custom printed – even playing cards! Either for a special person or a special event to commemorate this year, these cards are perfect and super pleasing to look at while playing. Find them on Etsy, Mpix, or YoureOnDeck.com.

8.      FOR THE LEGO LOVER WHO HAS EVERYTHING! This is one of those, ‘why hasn’t this been thought of already?’ Probably because it takes an incredible amount of time and patience to pull this off. Leave it to a high school senior to put in the effort! How about a custom rendition of your home in Legos!? You receive the entire kit with instructions as well. Gotta see it to believe it! https://www.henryslegohomes.com/

9.       FOR THE FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER. So many pictures and nowhere to showcase them? How about in a monthly printed magazine!? Gorgeously printed, the magazine can arrive monthly, quarterly or one at a time). From phone to print! Perfect for grandparents living miles way. GetRecently.com

10.    FOR THE FUN FAMILY. Did you have an epic year? Or maybe not epic, but so fortunate to have a phone filled up with amazing pictures from events to holidays to trips to just crazy silliness? Consider a gift certificate for the package “A Year In Our Life” from, well eh (shameless plug here) Via Muse Videos. It’s a new offering that allows you to offload your photos to me each month. I will be putting them into a beautiful, moving video at the end of the year. BUT THAT’S NOT ALL! I will schedule a filming day to film your family discussing the year’s events from their perspective. You can have each member speak individually or together as a family unit. This will become a part of your final video. Perfect to watch on New Years Eve and be amazed at who you are and all that you’ve accomplished in a yea

Have fun shopping, reminiscing and gift giving!