Gift-giving is a great hobby for some, but many nurses are tired and not in the mood to do holiday shopping. You might feel like you’re expected to search for the “greatest gift ever” for a Christmas gathering… even when we know the perfect gift doesn’t exist.
So, what are some alternatives to buying gifts when you don’t want to? Read on to find ways to find a great gift without spending too much time and money at a store.
Don’t Be Afraid to Go for an Easy Gift, But. Choose Meaning Over Value
When buying gifts for others, you often think they want something flashy or expensive. It might be because of our consumer culture or because we’re often taught that bigger is better. Whatever the reason is, more often than not, people value gifts that hold meaning for them.
Reframe what an easy gift looks like. Think of what the other person will value for a long time and what’s easiest for you. It doesn’t have to be an item— it can be a personal experience, such as a day trip to a concert, a nice dinner, or an escape room.
Or, if you don’t have any ideas, try a gift basket with items they like and use, like carry-on hand sanitizers or hand lotion.
Gift cards are acceptable, too. You can say, “Listen, I love you, but I’m tired this year. Here’s a $25 gift card to Amazon.” Or something along those lines, but in a genuine way to tell them that you put effort into the gift. This is a great option for younger nieces and nephews who could use extra money, especially if someone you know shops at Amazon.
Don’t Be Afraid to Regift
You might encounter a situation (like a holiday swap party) where you have regifted an item before. In some situations, regifting is fine— but be careful who you regift to. If you give to the same group of friends and family, someone might realize they got a passed down gift from two Christmases ago.
Think about the person who you’re gifting to. What do they do for fun? If they’re not into snacks, then they might not love the $5 caramel popcorn tin you snagged on your way to the shampoo at Target. But if they collect candles, they might like your unused Yankee candle that smells like marshmallows at a campfire.
It might not feel like an excellent idea to regift something you owned first, but if the item is new and you’re giving it to a close family member or a friend you know well, this is usually not a problem. Just ensure it’s an item you’re confident they’ll like or use. Other things to note when regifting are to make sure any name tags aren’t showing or if the item wasn’t handmade or personalized for someone else.
If you’re still having second thoughts about regifting, consider doing this if you have an extra item at hand to avoid hurting their feelings. That way, when they ask about the item, you can be transparent and tell them that you thought of them in mind when you received an extra one and wanted to give it to them personally.
Ask Them Directly What They Want
If all else fails, you can always ask for what they want. Some people might like a surprise gift, but it can be better to buy someone a gift they’re expecting so that they don’t get a gift they have to pretend to like.
This can help you save time to order the gift before the holidays. Plus, if you don’t like to gift-wrap, many online stores offer the option of preparing your gift in a gift box or bag.
Finding holiday gifts might feel stressful initially, but it helps to know that you can be mindful of who you’re gifting to. You can give away items they would prefer for a relaxed and low-key holiday.
With the holiday gift season approaching, it’s a great time to start thinking about how to show appreciation to your favorite colleagues. Positive nurse-to-nurse relationships can profoundly impact your experience working in healthcare. Gift exchanges are common in many workplaces, so why not plan one with your nurse colleagues? Here are some options for the best nurse-to-nurse gift exchange ideas.
Make Their Shift Easier
As their coworker, you know best what makes their shifts easier. Pay extra attention in the next few weeks to see if your fellow nurses have any consistent complaints. Does one of them keep losing their water bottle? Or, another could benefit from new shoe inserts to stay comfortable during a long shift.
Think about anything your colleagues might talk about wanting, like a phone sanitizer, a new journal, or a personal massager. If you pay close enough attention, you’ll often realize people talk about the gifts they’d like to receive. As their nurse colleague, you have a unique opportunity to spend much time listening to them!
Show some sparkle
Show Some Sparkle
Although not every nurse can wear jewelry during a shift, Christmas jewelry gifts are always a thoughtful choice for a colleague. There’s a wide range of jewelry for various budgets, depending on what you’re comfortable spending. Has a fellow nurse done something that genuinely impacted your career or overall experience in healthcare in the past year? This is an excellent opportunity to get them a slightly nicer gift than you might get from another colleague.
As you know, nurses often go under-appreciated despite the work they do. It’s important to show your colleagues the appreciation you want to be shown. A beautiful bracelet or pair of earrings can go a long way—every time your coworker wears their gift, they’ll be reminded of your appreciation!
Help Them Relax
After long shifts on your feet all day, going home, changing into comfortable clothes, and relaxing are the best feelings. As a nurse yourself, you know what helps you most! Consider sharing your secrets and giving your coworkers some of your favorite end-of-day comforts. Aromatic candles, bath bombs, fuzzy socks, comfy sweaters, and cozy blankets make great gifts, especially in the wintertime.
It can be easy to overthink gifts, especially for colleagues you don’t know very well on a personal level. However, remember you’re at an advantage—you work the same job! You know what helps you relax after a long day of work, and your nurse colleagues will likely appreciate you sharing any of that with them. It can be a good idea to include a sweet note with your gift explaining how you benefit from it yourself. This way, they’ll feel touched by you, believing they’d also benefit.
Bring the Team Closer
The nurses you’re exchanging gifts with are likely part of the same team. Take the holiday gift-giving season as an opportunity to bring the team closer together with matching presents. This doesn’t have to be anything fancy unless you want it to be. Even getting your team of nurses the same pair of fun socks, nursing-themed or not, can be a thoughtful gesture. Or, consider personalizing the same gift for everyone.
For example, many reusable water bottle brands will personalize their products with names and gifts like sweatshirts, key chains, and more. You can even take it a step further by using nicknames instead of their full names to show you’re paying attention.
Make It Yourself
Are you still paying off nursing school loans and not in a position to be spending a lot of money on gifts? Or, do you have so many nurse colleagues that it wouldn’t make sense to pay for a gift for each one? Plenty of gift exchange ideas only require you to spend a little money while still being thoughtful and putting a smile on your fellow nurses’ faces.
If you love to bake in your free time, homemade sweets are always an excellent idea. You can even give them a fun, decorated “coupon” that explains you will take on a shift for them if they ever need to be covered!
Appreciate your coworkers (photo credit: Cottonbro Studio)
Appreciate Your Coworkers
According to researchers at Xavier University’s School of Nursing, nurse-to-nurse relationships impact the nurses involved and can also affect the quality of patient care. Moreover, the quality of nurse-to-nurse relationships in the workplace determines whether someone remains in the profession. If you appreciate your colleagues, consider participating in a gift exchange this holiday.
If you’re looking for the perfect way to show appreciation, consider these thoughtful gift ideas tailored for nurses. At Minority Nurse, we’re always finding ways to show nurses appreciation, so we’ve curated this gift guide to help spread nurse appreciation this holiday season.
From practical ideas to self-care essentials, this comprehensive gift guide will help you find the ideal present for the nurse in your life. Let’s explore a range of options that will make their job easier and brighten their day.
1. Nursing Scrubs
Can a nurse ever have too many nursing scrubs? As something that they have to wear every day, it’s no surprise their daily uniform scrubs get worn down quickly, and there’s always room for a new favorite pair of scrubs. With so many scrub colors, designs, and brands, these can be a more fun gift to open up. Just be sure to include a gift receipt in case there needs to be a size or color exchange.
2. Coffee Maker
The nurse you are gift shopping for may already have one of these. Many nurses rely on coffee to keep them going! This is a gift we recommend ensuring they don’t already have. If not, you’re in luck because this can be a great addition to their routine and a time and money saver.
Additionally, coffee makers are available at a wide range of prices. So, you have the flexibility to determine what kind of coffee maker is within your budget range.
3. Mani-pedis
Any nurse on their feet for over 12 hours a day and constantly using their hands dreams of a nice mani-pedi after a long day of work. Whether they keep up with them regularly or rarely, booking an appointment in advance for a nurse is sure to be a welcome gift. Check with local nail salons to see if they offer gift cards or appointment vouchers.
4. Smartwatch
Smartwatches tend to be on the more expensive side, but they’re always on a lot of wishlists every year. Apple and Samsung smartwatches start at around $250, but some more budget-friendly options are available on Amazon, starting at $20.
The even better news is that smartwatches tend to go on sale around this time of year, so if you’re interested in gifting a nurse a smartwatch, keep an eye out for the holiday deals that are coming up.
5. Gift Cards
Although gift cards are often impersonal, they are typically the safest option you can opt for. Picking out a few gift cards for a place people frequently visit for weekly errands, a restaurant, or even somewhere to treat yourself can be used at the leisure of the gift recipient, which adds an extra layer of convenience. To present the gift cards as a gift, you can make a gift card tree to ensure a stellar presentation.
6. Essentials Kit
Although essential gifts are typically considered stocking stuffers, saving the hassle of someone from having to restock them in the future will be appreciated. Nursing essentials such as pens, socks, snacks, a new badge clip, or even an extra nursing bag or tumbler will surely be a great addition to their daily life. Additionally, people love
7. Lumify uNight Light
Here’s a gift that is made by nurses for nurses. The Lumify uNight Light 2.0 was specifically designed to help provide nurses with some much-needed light in rooms during night shifts without disturbing patients. Night shifts are hard enough, so nurses go out of their way to avoid turning on lights, disturb patients getting much-needed rest, and stumble on things in the dark. This night light has red, white, and blue options, not to mention it can easily be clipped onto scrubs, offering nurses a hands-free solution that is also liquid-repellent and washable.
8. Littmann Stethoscope
Gifting a nurse a stethoscope is nothing new and is often considered a “cliche choice.” However, many nurses have a specific stethoscope in mind that would serve as a great gift: the Littmann stethoscope.
The Littmann’s Classic III is the most popular stethoscope that many nurses opt for, which is usually priced at around $100. However, some nurses (particularly ones in cardiology specialties) may be eyeing the top-of-the-line stethoscope. The Littmann Master Cardiology Stethoscope can run you up to $250.
Final Thoughts
This holiday season provides the perfect opportunity to express appreciation for the nurses who make a difference in our lives. A thoughtful gift is sure to ease their demanding routines. Kind gestures that acknowledge their dedication and the right gifts can truly resonate.
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