Birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas and other special occasions all call for gifts, but it’s all too easy for your wells of inspiration to run dry. When a colleague resigns, or a loved one has a birthday, you want to give a gift that’s meaningful, that shows you care, and that they’ll remember but sometimes we default to a gift token, or a trinket with no personal meaning behind it.

Today, we’re taking a look at how you can give better gifts – gifts that will be appreciated and remembered long after the event.

 Be Prepared 

Don’t just think about gifts when birthdays are coming up. If you treat gift giving like it’s surprised you every time, then you’ll find it difficult to find inspiration. Instead, pay attention to your loved ones’ interests – listen when they talk about the books they’re reading, the games they play, the films they watch, and keep a close eye on them if you’re shopping together. The things they look at, but can’t justify buying for themselves are the items to remember so you can give something they’ve wanted for a long time when a special occasion arrives.

Think Subscriptions 

If you want to give a gift that they’ll remember, you should consider a subscription gift – it’s hard to forget because it keeps on arriving! There are lots of options, so you can find a subscription gift to fit almost anyone! From a weekly delivery of coffee, to classic paperback books and even a monthly craft box for adults for devoted knitters, weavers and embroiderers.

You need to put some thought into the mechanics of a subscription gift – where and when will it be delivered? If it’s a bulky parcel, you might be creating more trouble for the receiver than it’s worth, obliging them to wait in for it once a week or month!

Try Experiences 

Experience gifts are becoming more and more popular, with different companies competing to offer the best day out possible. If you want to give a gift that lives longer in the memory than on the shelf, this might be the best option for you.

Again, there are experiences to suit almost every individual, from fine dining to distillery tours, to premium car driving experiences. Many options are suitable for two people, so it’s a great gift to get for a couple (so ideal for an anniversary) or for someone you want to spend quality time with (which is why they’re so popular for Mother and Father’s Day!).