The holidays at this time of year are as diverse as America itself, but nearly all have one thing in common: gifting. It is, after all, called the season of giving—no matter which holiday is observed. But if you’re hearing crickets when you try to put together this year’s list, keep reading for ideas that will slay those crickets and have you on your merry way in no time.
Want to give a present that can be life-changing in a very real way? Look no further than America’s beloved icon and maker of magic, Disney. But this gift doesn’t require a trip to California, Florida, or even a mall. It’s a school, and it’s online—and it teaches coding. It’s Disney’s Codeillusion, available to anyone age 8 and older. Codeillusion aims to alleviate the type of tedious learning so often associated with coding, promising students they will “play online coding games while learning more than just the basics.”
Besides playful learning sessions, Codeillusion also features top-notch instructors with real-life experience working for recognizable names in the industry, such as Sega, Marvel Comics, and Disney itself. Sound good? Codeillusion offers a free trial, so you can test it out before committing to a three-week course.
When it comes to holiday celebrations in this land of plenty, there’s bound to be plenty of good eats. We are a nation of foodies—which is why food can also be a much revered gift. If you’re looking for tried-and-true yummies, check out Harry & David, a company renowned for its fruits and jams for nearly a century. Its roots go all the way back to 1910, when Samuel Rosenberg traded his Seattle hotel for 240 acres of Oregon farmland. After his ambitious sons Harry and David began peddling what were literally the fruits of their labor, business boomed and eventually expanded until the namesake company was selling its goods nationwide via colorful catalogs and stand-alone shops. Though sold throughout the year, at holiday time, Harry & David’s fruity jams and jellies become a familiar sight across the nation, either as gifts under the tree or on family buffet tables.
Like a lot of companies, Harry & David went through some challenging times in recent years, resulting in the closure of all of its stores except the flagship location in Oregon. Also like so many other American retailers, the company has tenaciously survived by reinventing itself online at HarryAndDavid.com. Here, you’ll find luscious, signature jams, preserves, and other fruit spreads such as tart cherry butter and blood orange marmalade. These can be purchased solo, in groupings, or as part of a lavish collection teeming with a bevy of baked goods, snacks, or chocolates. Each collection is then tucked into an attractive, reusable wooden crate, tin, or basket to be whisked away for a speedy delivery.
When it comes to food, though, it’s clear that some like it hot. Not only has hot sauce consumption in the United States been trending upward for the past 20 years or so, but experts predict it will only keep rising in the years to come. For those on your list who crave the hot stuff, it can be made personal with a customizable bottle of habanero sauce at BarProducts.com, where the bottle can feature the recipient’s name or any other message. And at just under 11 bucks, it won’t break the bank.
Speaking of hot sauce, you can opt for a variety of pourable peppers at FuegoBox.com, with deliveries of craft or small-batch hot sauces every month, bearing the absolute warmest of wishes.
Surprisingly, hot sauce makes a great gift for those oh-so-hard-to-buy-for grandparents or any other seniors on your list. Believe it or not, the baby boomer generation is buoying this hot trend that’s giving more traditional, all-American condiments, like mayonnaise and ketchup, a run for their money. It’s believed that as Americans age, their sense of taste diminishes. So, they’re turning to hot sauce to give their food a much-needed flavor kick. All it takes is one or two drops, and voila! Mission accomplished.
Got a dog lover on your list? With nearly 77 million domesticated dogs in the United States, it’s clear America has gone to the dogs. Chances are good you have some dog parents on your list who would delight in twinning with their beloved pooch in matching ugly Christmas sweaters. Found on Etsy.com in a variety of patterns and colors, most sets are priced around $30—a small price to pay for what are sure to be some super cute selfies.
Etsy.com is the place to go for those extra special gifts, too, like a hand-painted portrait depicting a beloved home, boat, person, or pet. Etsy.com artists will take a photo and bring it to life with paints, watercolors, or pencils, and if desired, they can add in extra family members or other details. Popular style options include cartoon, faceless, and romance-novel-inspired. Prices vary among artists and according to finished picture size.
Last but not least, you can help keep America bee-u-tiful with honey bee adoption via the World Wildlife Fund. In case you haven’t heard, the survival of bees has become threatened, and these donated fees will help finance the World Wildlife Fund’s ongoing conservation efforts. Keeping in mind that bees are the grand masters of pollination (as well as sweet honey), ensuring their survival seems worthwhile, doesn’t it?
