20 Unique and Alternative Gift Ideas
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Alternative Gifts Can Be Unique, Fun, Fair Trade, Personalized or Practical
Unique Gift Idea #1 - Give An Experience Gift
Adventure gifts for the daring and not-so-daring
Does your gift recipient already have everything? Are you tired of impersonal gifts? Then send your friend or loved one on an adventure! Great American Days can give your gift recipient a once-in-a-lifetime experience sure to be remembered forever.They'll put you or a loved one behind the wheel of a NASCAR race car or the controls of a fighter jet, send you skyward in a hot air balloon or hang glider, send you down the river on a white water rafting trip, or give you an adrenaline rush with many other adventure gifts.
For the more tame of heart, they also offer gourmet cooking classes, luxury massages and other pampering experiences, and there are adventures to fit every budget.
Experience gifts are an especially great way to mark major milestones, such as turning 40, graduating from college, or celebrating a 10th anniversary. Let's face it - going on a hot air balloon ride is just more FUN than opening a box. Your friend or loved one will remember this gift forever.
Unique Gift Idea #2 - Personalized Photo Watches
Engraved photo locket watches are unique and functional
A personalized photo watch won't get the adrenaline racing like an adventure gift, but it will ensure that your gift recipient thinks of you often as he or she checks the time.HourPower's watches are functional, stylish and very personal. Each watch comes with a secret compartment below the watch face that opens to reveal a photo and/or message. Add a personal engraved message up to 55 characters, or order the optional laser-engraved photo disc for a waterproof, permanent alternative to the traditional cut-and-place locket photo. They've got a wide selection of watches for men and women in a variety of styles, so you're sure to find something just right for anyone on your gift lift.
Unique Gift Idea #3 - Turn Photos Into Art
Create a masterpiece from a favorite photo
For tranferring your photo to canvas, photo sites such as Shutterfly can help you create a gift your loved one will treasure.
Unique Gift Idea #4 - Message in a Bottle
Make it a romantic gift or just have fun
If you know someone who has ever dreamed of sticking a message in a bottle, throwing it in the ocean, and waiting to see where it showed up, this is the gift for them - a personalized message in a bottle.TimelessMessage can help you create a unique gift that is sure to be remembered for years to come. Simply choose from one of the many bottle colors, shapes and sizes, select a message or write your own, and then choose to ship it directly to your recipient or to yourself so you can deliver it in person. Then watch the reaction on your friend or loved one's face when he or she opens the bottle!
Unique Gift Idea #5 - Personalized Cookbooks
A great gift idea for cooks!
Unique Gift Idea #6 - Embossed Roses
"Speaking Roses" are imprinted with a personal message
Unique Gift Idea #7 - Handmade, Fair Trade Products
Support a local artisan with decent living wages
You can shop for handmade, one-of-a-kind fair trade clothes, coffee, and gifts at stores such as Global Exchange, or search eBay, Amazon or the web for "fair trade" products. Your socially conscious gift recipients are sure to approve.
Fair Trade Gifts on Amazon
Even the superstore offers fair trade products for the socially conscious shopper
Fair Trade: A Beginner's Guide (Beginner's Guides)
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 07/06/2009) 
Recycled Silk Sari Bucket Bag
Amazon Price: $29.00 (as of 07/06/2009)
Baronet Coffee Organic Espresso Dark, Fair Trade, 18-Count Pods (Pack of 3)
Amazon Price: $18.83 (as of 07/06/2009)
Tagua Nut Green Pendant-2-Piece Tagua "Good in a Nutshell Pendant [2-Piece Tagua - Green]"
Amazon Price: $9.95 (as of 07/06/2009)
Unique Gift Idea #8 - Custom Night Sky Artwork
See the sky from a favorite location
Personalized Night Sky Print
Amazon Price: (as of 07/06/2009)
This is a great gift for anyone who enjoys looking at the night sky. Just give a date and location, and Indigo Night will calculate the position of the stars, planets and moon and then recreate that night sky on a beautiful fine art print for your gift recipient. A separate detailed star map is included naming the constellations, planets and major stars shown on the print. Choose from hundreds of horizon illustrations and add your own text to the print. Give as a wedding gift or anniversary gift, especially a first anniversary gift, (that's the paper anniversary), a birthday gift, engagement gift, graduation gift, remembering the night you met your true love, (especially for him, very romantic but with an interesting edge of science). It's also a perennial favorite new baby gift.
Unique Gift Idea #9 - Plant a Tree in Someone's Name
A gift that keeps on growing
Planting a tree in someone's name is a great way to memorialize the birth of a child, the death of a loved one, or a special occasion in anyone's life. You're helping to improve our environment, removing carbon from the atmosphere, and creating a lasting memory of the occasion. Your tree may also help improve someone's life if you purchase through a nonprofit organization working to make the world a better place.You can plant trees in someone's name through nonprofit organizations such as Heifer International or Trees for Life International. They will plant the trees in developing countries to help local villagers become more self-sufficient. Or if you prefer your dollars stay closer to home, you can choose a company like TreeGivers.com that will plant your tree in the U.S. or Canada.
Unique Gift Idea #10 - Personalized Wine or Champagne
Give a fine bottle of customized wine with a personal wine label
If you've got a wine lover on your list, visit Signature Wines to pick up a unique gift that's sure to be a hit - personalized wine.You can choose from a wide variety of quality wines and brands, including Kendall Jackson, Clos du Bois, Henehan Hills, Domaine-M and Blackridge Canyon. Then personalize the bottle with your own message. You can even upload a photo to print on your personal wine label.
Unique Gift Idea # 11 - Personalized Fortune Cookies
Let them have their cookie and eat it, too
Ok, you'll probably never get Chinese take-out with that fortune inside your cookie, but you could win favor with your friends and family by giving a super-cool giant personalized fortune cookie. The cookies are dipped in your choice of white, dark or milk chocolate and sprinkled with candy confetti. When your gift recipient opens the cookie, they'll find your personalized message on a foot-long fortune with up to three lines of 30 characters each.
You can get these goodies and many other personalized gifts at Personal Creations.
Unique Gift Idea #12 - Name a Star
Name a star for your favorite gift recipient
The wonderful thing about naming a star is that you can do it for just about anyone.Want a romantic present for your girlfriend? Name a star after her and tell her you love her as much as all the stars in the sky. Need something for your nephew who loves astrology? Name a star and give him the coordinates to find it himself. How about a gift for a new baby? Name a star and let the parents know their love for their child has been memorialized in the stars. It's easy to get creative with a star!
So hop over to the International Star Registry and check it out. Your recipient will get a certificate personalized with the star name, date and coordinates. And you'll get the good feeling of giving a gift that will last as long as there are stars in the sky.
Another Way to Name a Star
Shining Stars are great for little kids
Russ Berrie Shining Stars Panda
Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 07/06/2009)
If you'd like to name a star for someone, but want to give more than just a certificate, Shining Stars stuffed animals are a great alternative. They come in a variety of animal designs (including the panda shown here), and each one has a star icon on its paw. They come with a sealed secret code that allows you to log on to a website and register and name a real star with the International Star Registry.You can then print a certificate and star chart, showing the exact coordinates of your star. If you've been wanting to name a star in honor of a baby's birth or other childhood occasion, Shining Stars make it more fun.
Unique Gift Idea #13 - Photo Dog Tag
Personalized Photo Dog Tag Necklace or Keychain
Amazon Price: (as of 07/06/2009)
Get a dog tag personalized with your own PHOTO, DRAWING, WEDDING or BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT, or your FAVORITE PET. Send us your photos by e-mail or US Postal Service. We will resize your photo to fit, with no harm done to the original. We will then put your photo onto the dog tag and seal it with an extremely durable clear waterproof coating. Choose color, black & white, or sepia photo finish. Glitter can also be added to the finish. These dog tags are made of stainless steel and are 2" tall by 1 1/8" wide.
Unique Gift Idea #14 - Personalized Romance Novel
A romantic gift for your significant other
YourNovel.com offers 24 titles, including "Another Day in Paradise," "High Seas Romance," "Rome: Diamonds, Danger and Desire" and others. You simply provide names and details to personalize your book and choose whether you'd like the wild or mild, version. You can also add your own photo to the cover.
For a more daring romantic adventure, visit Romance by You and select from one of several genres, including western, vampire, pirate and medieval tales.
These personalized romance books will make great reading for those cozy winter nights by the fire... or those steamy late-night rendezvous. It's a gift your honey is sure to remember!
More Gift Books
Custom books beyond romance
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Personalized Books for Kids, Teens and Adults
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Personalized children's picture books have been around for a long time, but toddlers aren't the only ones who can enjoy starring in their own book these days. Now older children, teens and even adults can star in their own novels, from classic tales...
Unique Gift Idea #15 - Personalized Magazine Covers
Appear on the cover of a magazine or a Wheaties box!
Digital photos have made it easy for anyone to make fun, creative gifts. Sure, you've seen keychains and mugs with photos, but how about putting your favorite athlete's pic on a Wheaties box or a magazine cover?PersonalizationMall can make your star athlete a Wheaties box hero, as well as offering several magazine cover options, or you can check out the magazine covers at
Personal Creations.
Unique Gift Idea #16 - Personalized Chocolate
What could be better for the chocoholic in your life?
Almost everyone knows a chocoholic, someone who loves chocolate as much as an art collector loves Picasso. If you've got someone like that in your life, personalized chocolate may be the perfect gift. Check out the 1 lb. personalized chocolate bar at Personal Creations. You can choose from several occasions and add a one-line personalized message. (See photo of birthday chocolate for an example of one occasion.) More Personalized Candy
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Personalized Chocolate Candy Gifts
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Tired of giving the same old gifts? Try personalized candy for a sweet treat your gift recipients will love! From personalized M&Ms to personalized candy bars, there's something here for every chocoholic.
Unique Gift Idea # 17 - Personalized Steak Brands
If your gift recipient loves to grill, a personalized steak brand is a must
Ok, now you've got gift ideas for wine lovers, chocholate lovers and cooks. But how about your friend who loves a simple meal of meat and potatoes? If your gift recipient loves grilling steaks, then a personalized steak brand is sure to be a hit. For those who want to see their name go up in smoke, you can get personalized initials. Or if your recipient is a sports fan, treat him to a steak brand featuring his favorite team's logo. You can also find novelty branding irons featuring a variety of images. Just head over to SteakBrands.com to find your perfect gift. Unique Gift Idea #18 - Alternative Gifts Through Donation
Support the poor with alternative gifts that promote self-sufficiency
If you're looking for a way to get away completely from a commercialized gift, consider buying a gift in someone else's name. Similar to planting a tree in someone's name, you can give the gift of a water buffalo, a fuel-efficient stove, educational books or more from nonprofit organizations such as Heifer International, Trees for Life, Alternative Gifts International or Mercy Corps.These alternative gifts range from inexpensive ($5 for one book to a child through Trees for Life's Book for Life program) to pricey ($5000 for a gift ark of two cows, two sheep, two camels, and more animal pairs from Heifer International) and everything in between.
These gifts will help you and your gift recipient share the true meaning of the season.
Unique Gift Idea #19 - Adopt a Wild Animal
Make the newest member of the family a dolphin, tiger or other wild critter!
Here's an educational gift your kids or grandkids (or someone else's kids!) are sure to love. Make them the proud new parents of a wild animal. Adopt a dolphin from the Oceanic Society, a tiger from the National Zoo, or many other wild animals. Just search for "adopt a [insert your favorite animal]" on Yahoo! or Google and you're sure to find the animal of your choice. Best of all, by adopting a wild animal from a nonprofit organization, you'll be supporting their educational and/or conservation programs.You can add to the gift be getting a subscription to a magazine such as Zoobooks or National Geographic Kids or getting a related gift, such as a calendar, T-shirt, or figurine at a store like Animal Den.
Unique Gift Idea #20 - Guardian Angel Coin
Rebecca Personalized Guardian Angel Coin
Amazon Price: $3.99 (as of 07/06/2009)
Know someone who needs a guardian angel? Give them a personalized coin with an angel picture on the front and a guardian angel message on the back. The gift recipient's name appears on both the obverse and reverse of the coin.
The Best Gift You Can Give
If you've read this far and still don't know what to do...
You can package your "gift" by creating a gift certificate on your printer and putting it inside a gift card. Or go to Shutterfly, upload a photo of the two of you together, and create a personalized card. On the gift certificate, or inside the card, you can describe your gift by writing, "This card/certificate entitles the bearer to [your gift idea]." That's it!
It's likely this will be the most personal - and memorable - gift your recipient will receive during the holidays.
More Gift Ideas
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Personalized Books for Kids, Teens and Adults
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Personalized children's picture books have been around for a long time, but toddlers aren't the only ones who can enjoy starring in their own book these days. Now older children, teens and even adults can star in their own novels, from classic tales...
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Romantic Valentines Chocolate Gift ideas
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Looking for a Valentine's gift? If your special someone is a chocoholic, surprise him or her with a romantic Valentine's chocolate gift. From chocolate dipped wine and strawberries, to chocolate roses and games, these tasty gifts are sure to be a hit...
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Over the hill? 40th Birthday Gift Ideas
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Is someone you know turning 40? Have they gone over the hill or are they still climbing? Whether you're helping them celebrate or joining in the commiseration, here are some ideas that will help you give them a gift they'll remember.
What's the best gift you've ever received?
Got a favorite? Think one of these ideas is great? Have more suggestions? Let us hear from you!
hempnecklace wrote...
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Posted April 22, 2009
janices7 wrote...
Great lens with so many fabulous ideas that are truly unique.....any of these gifts would be perfect for Valentine's Day! I also wanted to tell you that I love featuring the work of other great lensmasters on related topics so I've added your fantastic lens to my Valentine Food Gift Ideas lens.
Posted March 02, 2009
WritingforYourWealth wrote...
Nice list! I like #1 best. When I look back, it's always been the unique things I've done that have stuck most in my mind. You've gotta love a gift that makes an impact in someone's memories. ;)
Posted February 21, 2009
LSeeger wrote...
oooh, I love giving different gifts that are unique. Christmas time is filled with gingerbread houses from our kitchen & at Valentine's time we do Sweet and Spicy Gingerbread houses filled with kisses and hugs (hershey kisses).
Great lens!
Posted February 18, 2009
jen wrote
Check out http://my-song.ca/s/lvo1 they make personalized love song for everyone for any gift giving occasion.
Posted February 16, 2009
ElizabethJeanAllen wrote...
Welcome to The Totally Awesome Lenses Group.
Lizzy
Posted January 11, 2009
Table of Contents
- Unique Gift Idea #1 - Give An Experience Gift
- Unique Gift Idea #2 - Personalized Photo Watches
- Unique Gift Idea #3 - Turn Photos Into Art
- Unique Gift Idea #4 - Message in a Bottle
- Unique Gift Idea #5 - Personalized Cookbooks
- Unique Gift Idea #6 - Embossed Roses
- Unique Gift Idea #7 - Handmade, Fair Trade Products
- Fair Trade Gifts on Amazon
- Unique Gift Idea #8 - Custom Night Sky Artwork
- Unique Gift Idea #9 - Plant a Tree in Someone's Name
- Unique Gift Idea #10 - Personalized Wine or Champagne
- Unique Gift Idea # 11 - Personalized Fortune Cookies
- Unique Gift Idea #12 - Name a Star
- Another Way to Name a Star
- Unique Gift Idea #13 - Photo Dog Tag
- Unique Gift Idea #14 - Personalized Romance Novel
- More Gift Books
- Unique Gift Idea #15 - Personalized Magazine Covers
- Unique Gift Idea #16 - Personalized Chocolate
- More Personalized Candy
- Unique Gift Idea # 17 - Personalized Steak Brands
- Unique Gift Idea #18 - Alternative Gifts Through Donation
- Unique Gift Idea #19 - Adopt a Wild Animal
- Unique Gift Idea #20 - Guardian Angel Coin
- The Best Gift You Can Give
- More Gift Ideas
- What's the best gift you've ever received?
- About Me
About Me
Lensmaster lisadh, aka Lisa Howard, has been a member since July 23 2007, has rated 631 lenses, favorited 83, and has created 174 lenses from scratch. Lisa Howard donates their royalties to Action Against Hunger and A Day of Hope. This member's top-ranked page is "Free Summer Movies for Kids". See all my lenses
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