Trying to come up with unique gifts for everyone on your list this holiday season is an exercise in creativity. While you could always give another mug or blanket, the truth is that the people you care about deserve something special. Fortunately, you don’t have to spend hours dreaming up gift ideas when you can use this list to find the perfect present that anyone will love.

Choose a Special Candle

Scented candles are always a safe option for giving to people you don’t know well. Yet, you can also turn this gift into one that shows you know them personally. You can find candles that melt to reveal a birthstone, ones that look like a bowl of your friend’s favorite cereal and even ones that smell like specific states.

Create Personalized Photo Socks

Socks might be a gift that is jokingly left up to the grandparents to give, but not when you use personalization to make them unique. You can have socks custom printed with the image of someone’s pet, favorite food or even their own face. Having a fun pair of socks that represents their personality is a great idea for anyone who has a sense of humor.

Give Them Better Beauty Sleep With a Silk Pillow

Many people think about buying a silk pillow, but they never get around to buying themselves this luxury. A silk pillow has known benefits for rest and beauty such as reducing hair breakage. This gift is a great option for young adults and teens who are obsessed with their hair health, but it also works for people who are any age.

Pair a Pillow With Silk Pajamas

If you prefer to give a bigger gift than a pillowcase, then you can follow it up with a pair of silk pajamas. Clothing made from silk has a luxurious feel, and this is the perfect gift to give to your houseguests if you’re hosting this season. To increase the appeal, you can also have a set monogrammed to create a truly personalized present.

Honor Someone With a Challenge Coin

The military has used challenge coins for more than a century to reward hard work and inspire a sense of pride and belonging. Today, people are also using challenge coins to enhance friendships, work partnerships and other special relationships. If you’re trying to come up with a gift for a group, then handing out challenge coins is a fun way to highlight your relationships with each other. The coins can be displayed, but they are also fun to carry to challenge everyone who has one to produce it on command.

Hand Out Multitools

If you dislike the idea of giving a gift that just gathers dust, then a multitool is certain to get used. You can find card-style multitools that fit in a person’s wallet, or you might opt for a foldable tool that is easy to carry in a pocket. Either way, this is a great gift to give to a group of people who are just starting out such as your adult grandkids.

Encourage Screen-Free Time With a Neck Reading Light

Knowing which book to give the avid reader in your life can be challenging, especially when they seem to have read through an entire series. However, you can still give a gift that taps into their hobby without doubling up on something they’ve already read. A neck reading light also encourages your loved one to get off their phone and read a paperback, which can promote more restful sleep.

Help Them Hit Goals With a Scratch-Off Poster

Scratch-off posters come in a variety of styles that you can pick from based on your loved one’s hobbies. Watch as they get excited to scratch off the movies they watch over the upcoming year. Or, your loved one might want to scratch off all of the national parks they visit. This gift gives them something to work on over the new year, which is great for people who enjoy making resolutions.

The best gifts are ones that show you put genuine thought and care into their selection. Selecting a gift that shows something special about the recipient is the ideal way to make them smile. Once you’ve found and wrapped the perfect present, you can sail through the holidays with excitement as you look forward to seeing their face during your upcoming gift exchange.

By: Katherine Robinson, a writer for Challenge Coins

The most unlikely circumstances sometimes spark jewelry trends. In January 2022, the Style section of The New York Times published an in-depth lifestyle article about the substantial resurgence of crystal and gemstone jewelry. Crystal pieces were fashionable in the early 2000s, but they later took a backseat to precious stones until the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, crystal jewelry has been enjoying a strong comeback, particularly in terms of design variety and handcrafted quality.

Two main factors are driving the crystal jewelry trend; one is aesthetic, and the other is spiritual. The aesthetic factor takes into account the substantial variety of new designs. The spiritual factor focuses on social media buzz about the healing properties of crystalline stones, often discussed on Instagram Stories and TikTok videos. This combination of vibe and style is conducive to letting your imagination flow.

Tap Into Your Creativity With Crystals

Gemstones such as aquamarine and ruby have been associated with spiritual healing and inspiration since ancient times. The underlying lore is often provided by our interpretations of Mother Nature’s magic. We associate the miracle of aquamarine, for example, with the calming effects of water. Ruby gemstones inspire passionate protection and resilience. We marvel at the geological processes that Mother Nature enables to create crystalline beauty over millions of years, and we are inspired by all of the Earth’s energy that went into creating gemstones.

The healing properties of crystals are symbolic and inspirational. Color psychology goes a long way into shaping our connections with crystals; for example, blue stones such as aquamarine are often associated with peace and tranquility while red stones like ruby are linked to passion. We are also inspired by the idea of the Earth’s energy contained in the densely packed molecules of stones, thus representing vitality.

Crystal jewelry design allows you to channel your imagination. The shapes of crystals can evoke different emotions and ideas. A pyramid might symbolize power and stability. A sphere might represent balance and harmony. We can also consider how crystals can be set to enhance their aesthetic impact and influence their perceived energy. A delicate pendant, for example, might convey a sense of grace. A bold couture piece could symbolize strength and confidence.

Why Choose Crystal Jewelry

Beyond the aesthetic appeal of crystal jewelry, the right pieces can enhance your well-being, inspire creativity, and connect you to the natural world when you are attuned to the gemstones. Jewelry designers who specialize in handcrafted pieces can tell you that each of their crystal creations tells a story. The elements of the stories are shaped by color psychology, shape design, and the spiritual connections to the Earth that have been perceived for many centuries. An oval aquamarine piece, for example, can tell a story about the strong desire to establish harmony and balance in our lives.

It should be noted that crystal jewelry interpretations may differ across some cultures. In some regions of Southeast Asia, the oval shape is associated with the heart to symbolize love, affection, and emotional connection. In the Americas, oval-shaped crystals are mostly seen as graceful and elegant, thus representing sophistication, refinement, and a sense of style. The story told by an oval-shaped aquamarine pendant can be romantic or coquettish for some people, but for others, it may signify spiritual nourishment. With crystal jewelry, you can get a more intimate connection with Mother Nature because you are wearing one of its most awe-inspiring creations. When you think about how crystals are formed deep within the Earth’s crust, you are inspired by the pure energy of the planet.

Crystal Jewelry Pieces Make Excellent Gifts

Want to impress someone with a gift they can deeply appreciate? Crystal pieces that match your imagination can be unique and thoughtful presents for any occasion. You can choose crystals that align with the recipient’s personality, interests, or zodiac sign. The interpretation of healing properties and symbolic meanings of crystals can convey a heartfelt message and show that you’ve put thought into your selection.

Gemstones are durable and can last for decades, thus making them a timeless and enduring gift. In many cases, crystal pieces become heirlooms that keep the spirit of good vibrations in the family across generations. The tradition of gifting crystal gemstones dates back to ancient times, and it has always been welcomed as a classy practice.