The pandemic has greatly shifted the way we live, work and play. While it’s a bummer that we might not be able to physically gather and celebrate a special occasion, most of us have turned to other ways to shower our friends and family with love and appreciation.
As such, we’ve curated a list of unconventional care packages for each special occasion so you can still send love to your loved ones despite being socially distanced or stuck overseas.
Birthdays
Birthdays – a special time where friends and families gather to celebrate one’s yearly milestone. Whether we choose to celebrate birthdays in small groups or with great fanfare, a well-thought gift from a loved one never fails to tug at our heartstrings.
Newborns
#1 Diaper Cake
Source: Diaper Cake Avenue
Babies, who are deemed to be cute and cuddly, can turn into a parent’s worst nightmare when they wail or poop. A diaper cake (for those who’ve never heard of it), is essentially a cake-structured structure that’s built out of diapers and covered in decorations like flowers, and stuffed animals. Regarded as a necessity, what better way to welcome a new life than this cute but highly practical gift.
Price: $98 for a 2-Tier Diaper Cake
#2 Postnatal Massage Session
Source: Madam Partum
For mothers who have just delivered their baby, the first 6 months are said to be a crucial period for recovery. With the help of Madam Partum, new mothers can receive the post-natal care they need.
Mothers can opt to have their post-natal session either at any of their outlets or in the comfort of their homes. If you’re not one to go for conventional gift baskets, do consider treating the new mother to a post-partum session!
Price: $96.30 for 60 minutes; $144.45 for 90 minutes
Note: For home service, there’s an additional fee of $42.80 per trip and a minimum booking of 90 mins.
21st Birthday
Usually celebrated with great fanfare, one’s 21st birthday is a significant milestone where one takes his first step into adulthood (and impending responsibilities). Unfortunately, we might have to hold off mass celebrations given that we’re still in the midst of a pandemic. That said, nothing is stopping us from getting creative and gifting our loved one with a memorable 21st birthday experience.
#3 Craft Beer Box
Source: Thirsty
Is your friend a beer fanatic? If so, here’s a perfect gift to celebrate their significant milestone. Thirsty provides an assortment of craft beers from American and Australia and a tasting glass to help one achieve the full drinking experience. So send your friend a craft beer box (you might want to get one for yourself too), jump on a virtual call and cheers!
Price: $49 per box (contains 7 beers & 1 glass)
#4 Virtual Shopping Trip
With the further tightening of safe management measures, many are turning to online retail as a way to relieve stress. What better way to satiate your friend’s craving for online retail therapy than by taking her on a virtual shopping trip.
For instance, you could set aside a budget or purchase a gift card from Sephora, hop on a Zoom call with the birthday girl and allow her to shop to her heart’s content.
Price: Depending on your budget
#5 Automated Coin Bank
Source: Shopee
Adulting can be a daunting task for many, especially in terms of managing your finances. This cute, automated coin bank acts as a tool of encouragement for the 21-year-old to start saving and also a timely reminder of the impending financial responsibilities that they’ll have to shoulder soon.
Price: $10.50 on Shopee excluding delivery fee, currently on sale
60th Birthday
#6 Money Pulling Cake
Source: Shopee
In Chinese culture, one’s 60th birthday represents the beginning of a new life cycle. Hence, we often celebrate the 60-year-old by gifting them with a longevity cake. This year, you may want to shake things up a little by incorporating a “money-pulling” element to the cake.
After all, what’s not to love when you’re blessed both with longevity and wealth?
Price: $122-$125 on Shopee
Note: Price indicated excludes the money pulling element. Do note that there are risks to hand over a wad of cash to a vendor or to put real money into your food. If you wish to do so and are comfortable with the process, do contact the seller for more information.
Mother’s Day
#7 Surprise Beauty Skincare Box
Source: Shopee
Motherhood is a tough 24-hour job, with no pay and no off-days. Yet, mothers still choose to devote their unconditional love, time and energy to care for the family. More often than not, they end up placing their own needs last.
While Mother’s Day is a day to appreciate their effort in caring for their families, it really should be celebrated on a daily basis. The Skincare Super Value box which provides an assortment of Korean skincare products (sample-sized) allows mothers to pick out the product that suits her best. As a filial child or loving husband, you may then proceed to purchase her favourite skincare product once identified.
Price: $39.90 on Shopee excluding delivery fee, currently on sale
Father’s Day
#8 Financial Burden Mug
Source: Amazon
Not all superheroes wear capes. Well, at least dads don’t. This Father’s Day, send your dad this quirky yet practical gift to show your appreciation to him for raising you. Of course, you might also want to shower your dad with other gifts such as the Craft Beer Box mentioned above or perhaps a customised wallet.
Price: $26.79 on Amazon excluding delivery fee
Anniversaries
Celebrating anniversaries are more important than we think. Aside from fancy dinners and presents, it is a day where couples intentionally set aside time from their busy schedules to reconnect and rekindle the love for each other.
#9 Customised Typewritten Poems
Source: The Novel Encounter
Roses are red, violets are blue; so is my heart because I miss you. Are you a romantic or literature fanatic who wishes to express your love and appreciation to your partner through words but find it tough to do so? Fear not, for The Novel Encounter is here to your rescue. All you have to do is provide them with 3 words, your name and the name of your partner, as well as a little backstory, and you’ll receive a poem that’ll leave your partner swooning over you.
Price: $25 for a typewritten poem
#10 Couple Card Games
Source: Shopee
Running out of ideas to celebrate your anniversary? Perhaps a good old card game might do the trick. “Our Moments” features 100 questions that’ll allow the couple to get to know each other on a deeper and more intimate level. You may find out things you never knew about your significant other.
Price: $4.90 on Shopee excluding delivery fee, currently on sale
Wedding
A day where friends and family gather to celebrate the union of two individuals, for better or for worse. With the tightening of safe management measures, here’s how you can send your well wishes to the pair of lovebirds without breaking any rules.
#11 Gourmet Gift Basket
Source: Simply Hamper
Encompassing a large assortment of gourmet items, The Celebration (Red Wine) gift basket is perfect for those with a sophisticated palate. Featuring premium products such as the Elegance Cabernet Sauvignon, the Swiss Delice Truffino Choc Noir Cookies and many more, the gift basket is sure to leave the couple feeling all fuzzy on the inside.
Price: $284 for The Celebration (Red Wine) gift basket
#12 Private Dining Experience With A Personal Chef
Source: Take a Chef
Take the newlyweds on a gastronomical journey by gifting them with a private dining experience in the comfort of their homes. With Take a Chef, you can choose between 4 chefs and 3 unique packages. With more than 40,000 chefs in over 100 countries, you can also surprise a couple with this private dining experience should they be located overseas.
Price: $320; $360; $440 for a local dining experience
House-warming
Typically celebrated by inviting friends and family over for a meal, housewarming parties, which are usually hosted by home buyers and especially first-time homeowners, have taken a backseat this year during the pandemic. Yet, you can always send a gift to celebrate this milestone.
#13 Nespresso Machine
Source: Nespresso
There’s nothing better than starting the day with an aromatic cup of brew. Nespresso provides an array of coffee machines to meet your coffee cravings. The Pixie Electric Titan, for instance, is a petite coffee machine that comes in 2 colours, a perfect accessory for those with a small kitchen. It comes with a set of 14 coffee capsules, a 2-year warranty and 24-hours personalised assistance.
Price: $248
#14 Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Source: Courts
When living together, anything can trigger a fight between a couple; and that includes who does the chores. With the robot vacuum cleaner, homeowners can now sit back, relax and watch the chore complete itself. By gifting them with such a household appliance, you’re doing the couple a favour by eliminating arguments pertaining to who cleans the floor.
Price: $249 at Courts, currently on sale
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