Thanks to Writer's Block book shop in Winter Garden I got hooked on Blind Date with a Book self-gifts a few years back, but lately I'm seeing the concept expand to include things other than books. It's especially nice when the items you're blind dating are used or thrifted, as that gives them a second chance to be appreciated (and saves money, too.)
My recent find of a Blind Date with a Cookbook was a lovely surprise -- I may steal this idea to make a blind date holiday gift for a neighbor who like me enjoys reading cookbooks.
How about a blind date with a puzzle? If you have a puzzle lover in the family, you can pick up sealed/unused puzzles at thrift stores very cheap. This would also make a fun kid's gift as well as something a senior might enjoy.
A blind date with a movie could be a cozy alternative to going out. You could also build a whole treat basket around this gift with popcorn and candy you'd usually get at the theater.
For your crafty friends why not put together a blind date with a craft kit? I see unused premade kits at almost every thrift store I go to, but you can make your own by boxing up the supplies and tools along with printed instructions and/or a pattern. Crocheters like me would love a kit to make a scarf, some slippers or even an amigurumi. If you want to give someone a kit for a craft they haven't learned yet, include a how-to book (which I also see at thrift stores all the time.)
Other items you might turn into blind date gifts:
Board Games: Another one you can build a gift basket around with popcorn, sodas and candy
CD: Introduce your music lover to a new band (or an old one.)
Home Spa Night: Box up everything your recipient would need to spend an evening soaking in a nice bath, having a facial, or any other way of treating themselves to a little self-care. I don't recommend thrifting products, but a lot can be found new at dollar stores.
Journal: Include some tucks like a pretty pen, stickers and a page of writing prompts
Snack Sack: This is purely for fun -- why not create a Blind Date with a Sack of Snacks? Pick some interesting goodies and put them in a nice gift bag (all things you can find at dollar stores, too.) Use a theme like all chocolate, chips and dips, or different flavors and varieties of cookies, popcorn or candy. If you want to be spontaneous, choose them randomly.
There's no limit to what you can turn into a Blind Date gift, as long as you use your imagination, and check out your local thrift and dollar stores for inspiration.
Image credits: Puzzle piece picture by congerdesign, DVD library picture by Michal Jarmoluk, knitted bears picture by Steve Buissinne, all found on Pixabay.
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