perhaps you are thinking of gifts to send to someone special in your life. Whether it’s a holiday or a special occasion, you want to send the right gift. it should show that you are thinking about them and that you are thinking about the gift, whatever it is.
Before turning to flowers, the old standby, consider unique gifts that are personal and fun to give and receive. not sure what to send instead of flowers? Are you curious to know what occasions require a gift? In this guide, you’ll find 10 gifts you can send besides flowers and tips on how to send a gift to someone special.
occasions that call for a gift and why flowers are not enough
While flowers are pretty, they may not be the most personal gift you can give. When you want to show a friend or loved one that you are thinking of them, really think of them. consider what they would like or need and whether it is appropriate for the occasion. consider giving alternatives to flowers for occasions like these:
- birthdays: any birthday is worth celebrating with the perfect gift. Giving someone a special and thoughtful gift for their birthday shows you’re thinking of them, even if you can’t be there to celebrate.
- anniversaries: mark milestones in your relationship with a special gift that reflects your love or the tastes of your partner. Whether months or years have passed, a loving relationship is worth honoring. You can also offer a gift for a friend or family member’s anniversary celebration.
- Holidays: Throughout the year, plenty of gift-giving holidays call for the perfect gift . send something unique or personal for valentine’s day, mother’s day, father’s day and various other holidays.
- celebrations: getting a promotion, graduating or moving to a new house are some of the reasons to celebrate. if you can’t be there in person, send a thoughtful gift other than flowers.
- comfort and sympathy: certain occasions call for more somber gifts. comfort the recipient after a breakup, the loss of a loved one, or during struggles and challenges.
- just because: sometimes the best reason to give a gift is not having reason. send a gift just because you see something that reminds you of the recipient.
things to send someone other than flowers
If you can’t meet someone in person for a holiday or special occasion, sending a gift is a great way to show you’re thinking of them. send something unique when you think outside the box with alternatives to flowers. you’ll be able to send a thoughtful gift that will outlast flowers or be more personalized. use these alternative flowers to find the perfect gift to send to a friend:
1. pizza
For fun gifts to send in the mail, consider frozen pizzas. pizza is ideal for almost any occasion. Celebrate birthdays from afar, send a thank you with a delicious cake, or offer food as a gift for no reason.
Giving pizza as a gift is like giving a celebration in a box. It’s also a convenient gift that’s great for friends who recently moved into a new home. They won’t feel like cooking after unpacking, and a frozen pizza makes a delicious and easy dinner.
Want to make your pizza-by-mail gift even more special? make it a virtual pizza night. order a cake for you and your recipient. set them up on the same night and video chat together as you dig in to feel like you’re celebrating in the same room. Giordano’s even offers a special heart-shaped pizza for Valentine’s Day.
2. snacks
students, new parents and anyone will really appreciate a variety of snacks as gifts. put together a care package with store-bought snacks or make your own. Regardless of what you offer, your recipient is sure to appreciate these delightful flower alternatives.
If you live in a different area than your recipient, you probably have local goodies that they can’t find where they live. Unique gifts like these would make a great gift to send, but you can also create a care package with your friend or loved one’s favorite snacks. Regardless of what you pack to ship, use these tips to help them arrive in one piece:
- wrap baked goods or pack in airtight, food-grade containers.
- use dry ice for frozen goods and gel packs with cold snacks.
- pack snacks frozen or cold in insulated containers with ice or cold bags.
- place liquids in airtight containers inside shipping box or bag.
- add recyclable packing fillers to keep snacks instead.
3. wine
wine is perfect for the holidays or a celebration. Not sure what kind of wine your friend or loved one prefers? sends a variety with reds, whites and rosés. or gift dry and sweet wines to match whatever preferences your recipient has.
When you choose wine as a gift to send to a friend, you’ll need to go through licensed wineries and understand the rules. those restrictions vary by shipment, quantity, and destination.
If you have to ship your wine through a vendor and cannot include a note through the vendor, please submit a separate card. let your recipient know that they can anticipate a gift from you and what it is for. You can even include information on wine pairings for a thoughtful addition, especially if the gift recipient doesn’t know much about wine.
4. a basket or gift box
don’t want to send just one gift to your friend? Turn your gift into a collection of little things with a gift basket or box. An assortment of personalized gifts also makes a great care package to send to someone who’s recently moved or just started college.
You can easily order gift assortments online, whether they have groceries or personal care items. have them send them to your friend or loved one, or prepare a gift for a customizable option. If you make your own basket or gift box, follow these tips:
- Create a theme: Think about why you’re sending a gift basket and who it’s for. that will help you choose a theme and get items to fill the basket. add snacks, personal care items, and small gifts that your recipient would like.
- add filler: layer the basket filler in the basket or gift box to hold the items you place. use decorative tissue paper or papel picado that fits the theme of the gift.
- arrange items: arrange items in basket or box decoratively. layer larger items in back and layer smaller gifts in front.
- pack the box: if you are making a gift basket, you will need to place it in a shipping container box place the basket in a box large enough and fill the empty spaces with packing materials so that it does not move.
5. a subscription box
An alternative to a gift box is a subscription box. there are a variety of subscription boxes that will suit everyone’s tastes and for almost any occasion. depending on the box, it could be a recurring gift each month or season.
many subscription boxes also offer one-time purchases to send as gifts. These are great alternatives to flowers, especially if the recipient has been considering a subscription box but can’t decide if they want one. they’ll appreciate your gift no matter what, but it can also help them decide if they want to sign up for recurring orders or not. Whether you’re treating a friend to multiple subscription boxes or gifting them a special one, you’ll find options including:
- Food & Drink: Perhaps you know an avid coffee or tea drinker. maybe you have a friend who is interested in international snacks. there are subscription boxes for these and other edible treats that offer great varieties and are easier than creating your own.
- fashion and beauty: not sure what to get a avant-garde friend or beauty lover? Rely on a beauty or fashion subscription box to send them fashion items. they’ll receive unique makeup, personal care products, or fashion accessories, and you’ll avoid the struggle of deciding what to buy.
- pet supplies: celebrate a friend’s new pet with a subscription box for pet supplies. there are many that will send toys, treats, and pet essentials that are helpful to any pet owner.
6. plants
If your friend loves to garden, send him a gift that will last much longer than a bouquet of flowers. With so many sizes and types of plants available, you’ll find something for every recipient. maybe they live in a cozy apartment and would enjoy a small potted plant, or maybe they have more room for something that will grow. Either way, live plants are great alternatives to flowers.
Choose a reliable shipping option or a company that specializes in shipping plants. you don’t want your gift to appear without leaves or petals. Choosing a durable plant will also help ensure that your gift arrives intact. consider gifting plants like these:
- Aloe is a practical and hardy plant.
- A snake plant has thick leaves and is easy to maintain.
- Succulents are small and easy to transport .
- pothos grow quickly, which is great if you lose a few leaves in the mail.
Make sure care instructions are included with the gift, and choose low-maintenance plants if your friend or family member hasn’t cared for them before.
7. a photo album or a book
There’s something special about flipping through physical photos, especially with everything going digital these days. create an online photo book or put together an album to send to a friend or loved one. If you have more time, you can get creative and crafty with a scrapbook. a collection of photos is sure to be a romantic or sweet alternative to sending besides flowers. No matter how you collect your photos, these would be great alternative flowers to send to:
- a friend you traveled with and have lots of photos of.
- an important person or couple celebrating an anniversary.
- a parent, grandparent, or another family member celebrating a birthday.
- a loved one who recently moved.
Check the photos you have together if they are gifts to send to friends or an important person. For family members celebrating an anniversary, collect photos of them throughout their lives. search social media for images to save, print, and collect in an album.
8. something handmade
Use your craft skills or order from a small business or independent creator for thoughtful gifts to send to your friends. A handmade item has love and time put into it, whether you or someone else crafts it. something handmade will also be easier to customize to the tastes of your friend or loved one. incorporate your favorite colors or themes for the ultimate personalized gift.
Handmade items are often somewhat practical, which makes them great gift alternatives to flowers. Whether it’s a beautiful and unique decoration or a functional item, you can create or order things like:
- ceramics
- embroidery
- knitted or crocheted items
- paintings or drawings
- woodworking creations
- handmade jewelry or accessories
9. a stuffed animal
A stuffed animal is an adorable gift for a younger family member or friend who recently became a parent. Of course, they also make a sweet and cuddly gift for recipients of any age, as long as it’s a gift your friend or loved one likes. choose their favorite animal or get a stuffed figure that reflects something about your relationship.
a stuffed animal is a nice gift just because, if you miss someone. or create a hug in a box to comfort a recipient who has moved or is going through a tough time. add a note about how you miss them and include the stuffed animal. add extra comforting items like a candle, tea, and personal care products for a more mature gift.
10. a gift card
Gift cards are simple gifts that give the recipient an experience or a shopping spree. these are great for a thank you gift or just because. You can also give gift cards to a loved one if you’re not sure what gifts he would want or need. Consider these gift card ideas as floral alternatives:
- A gift card for a meal is a perfect gift for busy people.
- A gift card for groceries or gasoline is a practical gift that works for any occasion.
- A coupon for a spa treatment is great for someone going through a stressful time.
- A gift card to the recipient’s favorite store is a gift they’re sure to enjoy.
- a movie gift card is a thoughtful and useful gift for the movie buff in your life.
Send your gift card in an appropriate greeting card. If a gift card seems impersonal to you, you can use the greeting card to personalize the gift. write a kind note acknowledging how much you appreciate your friend or loved one, especially if it’s a thank you gift.
send a frozen pizza from giordano’s
Want a fun and delicious gift to mail to your friends and loved ones? order frozen pizza from giordano’s! our deep dish stuffed pizza will please any pizza lover and make a welcome gift for any occasion. With giordano’s frozen chicago style pizza, your recipient will receive a delicious cheesy pizza delivered from our oven to yours, courtesy of you!
Order frozen pizza for a friend today and give them a gift they’re sure to love!
