If you’re like me, you’ve got a few hard-to-buy for people on your list this year. I my case, it ranges from the person who has extremely particular tastes, to a friend who has everything under the sun.
Here are some gift ideas to consider when you’re in a pinch:
Memberships: A membership to an interesting museum or club can make a wonderful, meaningful gift. Last year, my sister and her husband received a family membership to
The Henry Ford from his mother, and they loved it. Instead of going to “America’s greatest history attraction” once, they took the kids several times this year – each time thankful for the membership gift.
And don’t leave out symphonies and theatres. Subscriptions to these institutions are a wonderful gift and don’t have to break the bank, either. Many smaller symphonies and theaters have relatively low-cost subscription opportunities.
Go to
GreatStuff for a comprehensive list of arts and cultural organizations, many with excellent membership and subscription options!
Dinner and a movie: Gift certificates to a movie and nearby dining can be a quick, nice gift for the moviegoer. Consider theatres near the recipient’s home or office – and if you’re not sure of restaurants nearby, try calling the theatre for suggestions.
Spa/Massage Treatments: Always a big hit in my home, spa treatments can provide luxurious time away that one would not spend on oneself otherwise. If you’re not familiar with spas or massage centers in your area, ask family and friends. It’s good to get recommendations in this category, although you can’t go wrong with big names like Nordstrom.
Passes to State and Metroparks: If you live in metro Detroit, you may not know it but you have the good fortune to be a stone’s throw away from a number of beautiful state and Metroparks. An annual pass is an excellent gift for someone who likes to walk or simply enjoys the outdoors. Throw in a compass, maps, backpack or picnic basket, and you’ve got yourself a unique gift that will keep on giving all year long.
Annual passes for state parks are available starting in December (passes for both state parks and Metroparks are based on the calendar year). The cost is $24, and passes can be purchased at any one of the state parks.
Click here for an interactive map by county).
Passes for the
Huron-Clinton Metroparks are $20 and go on sale November 16. (Senior passes are $12, but you must show proof of age when purchasing.) Gift cards that can be used toward passes or golf are also available. Metroparks prefers that you visit one of the parks to buy annual passes and gift cards, although they can make exceptions.
Cooking Classes: Explore new culinary heights when you give the gift of food in the form of cooking classes. Numerous places in metro Detroit offer hands-on and demonstration cooking classes, usually culminating in – you guessed it – a delicious meal. Buy cooking classes for friends or relatives and their stomachs will thank you. Maybe you’ll even want to join in!
Gift Certificates for Misc. Items: Consider giving gift certificates for items such as oil changes, car washes and detailing, and local markets. If your gift recipient likes shopping “green,” check with area farmers markets to see if they offer gift certificates. The
Royal Oak Farmers Market has gift certificates available in $5 increments that can be purchased in the market office on market days and at other times (call the office if you can’t make it to a market day
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