“What’s one unique gift from the 2025 holiday season that you gave someone that received an exceptional reaction? Why do you think it resonated so well with them?”
Here is what 9 thought leaders had to say.
Custom Pet Plush Immortalizes Beloved Senior Dog
One gift from the 2025 holiday season that sparked an unforgettable reaction was a custom plush replica of a friend’s senior dog, created from their pet’s photos. Their dog had started slowing down due to age, and I wanted to give them something deeply personal rather than just functional.
When they opened it, they didn’t just smile—they teared up and hugged it like it was real. They later told me it stayed on their bedside table as a reminder that their pet was family, not just an animal.
I think it resonated because great gifts don’t just entertain — they immortalize emotions. In a world of gift cards and gadgets, something that says “I see what you love most” stands out every time.
— Skandashree Bali
Skandashree Bali, CEO & Co-Founder, Pawland
Wedding Night Sky Map Captures Timeless Moment
I gave my sister a custom star map last holiday season of the night sky from the exact date and location of her wedding. I had it framed and had a small message engraved in the corner. When she opened it she got choked up, her eyes welled up and she kept saying how personal it was and how thoughtful. I think it resonated so much because it wasn’t just a pretty gift, it was a tangible moment in time from her life. It showed I’d paid attention to something important to her and turned it into something that would last. Seeing her reaction reminded me that the best gifts aren’t the most expensive, they’re the ones that show you understand the person and the memories you share with them. It was a small thing with big emotional impact.
Nikita Sherbina, Co-Founder & CEO, AIScreen Digital Signage Software
Memory Map Book Preserves Friend’s Life Journey
One unique gift I gave during the 2025 holiday season was a personalized “memory map” experience book for a close friend who had just gone through a major life transition. Instead of a traditional present, I curated a custom-designed book that combined maps of places we had traveled together, handwritten notes about what those trips meant, and QR codes linking to short video clips and voice notes we had exchanged over the years.
The reaction was unforgettable. My friend teared up as they flipped through the pages, pausing at each location to relive the stories and laughter tied to it. What made it resonate so deeply wasn’t the physical object itself, but the thoughtful layering of memory, technology, and storytelling. It wasn’t just a gift—it was a reminder of resilience, shared history, and the importance of connection during a season that can sometimes feel overly commercialized.
I think it worked so well because it was intensely personal and irreplicable. Anyone can buy a gadget or a sweater, but creating something that reflects someone’s journey—and the role you’ve played in it—shows a level of care that money alone can’t buy. It reminded both of us that the most meaningful gifts are the ones that honor relationships and preserve the stories that shape us.
Amir Husen, Content Writer, SEO Specialist & Associate, ICS Legal
Health Journal Honors Caregiver’s Dual Responsibilities
The most memorable gift was a personalized health journal created for a colleague who had been balancing long work hours with caring for an aging parent. Instead of a generic notebook, it included custom sections for medication tracking, meal planning, and space for daily reflections, all designed around her specific routine. The reaction was immediate and emotional because it acknowledged both her professional expertise and her personal challenges. It resonated so strongly because it was practical yet deeply considerate, turning a simple tool into a gesture of recognition. The value came less from the object itself and more from the message behind it—that her effort and care were visible, and her well-being mattered as much as the patients she supported.
Ydette Florendo, Marketing coordinator, A-S Medical Solutions
Interactive Art Display Celebrates Student Achievement
We gifted one of our long-term school partners a custom interactive wall display that featured a rotating digital collage of student artwork collected throughout the year. Instead of a typical plaque or printed certificate, the display connected directly to their ClearDigital signage system, allowing them to update it easily with new projects each semester. The reaction was immediate—teachers and administrators were moved because the gift celebrated their students, not the company.
It became a centerpiece in their main hallway, drawing daily attention and pride from the entire school community. It resonated because it wasn’t promotional; it was participatory. The gesture reflected genuine partnership and showed how technology could preserve creativity while highlighting achievement in a living, visual way.
Belle Florendo, Marketing coordinator, My Accurate Home and Commercial Services
Leather Journal Gift Bridges Digital and Analog Worlds
“A personalized leather journal and premium pen a timeless gift that bridges tradition with appreciation.”
This holiday season, I gifted a personalized leather journal paired with a premium pen to a close colleague who has been instrumental in our recent project successes. The thoughtful combination of a timeless writing instrument and a beautifully crafted journal was met with genuine appreciation. It wasn’t just the quality of the items but the recognition of their dedication and the gesture’s personal touch that resonated deeply. In a world dominated by digital communication, such tangible gifts serve as a reminder of the value we place on meaningful connections and the art of thoughtful expression.
Justin Smith, CEO, Contractor+
Tea Bundle Creates Moment of Calm Reflection
One gift from the holiday season that got an unexpectedly joyful reaction was a curated Summit Breeze Tea bundle I gave to a friend who’s notoriously hard to shop for.
I didn’t go flashy; just thoughtfully chosen blends paired with a handmade note about when to enjoy each one. The moment they opened it, their eyes lit up like I’d just handed them a vacation in a box. I think it resonated because it wasn’t just tea—it was a reminder to slow down, breathe, and be present.
In a season that often feels rushed, the gift hit pause. Sometimes, the best presents are the ones that whisper, not shout.
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I hope this helps! If you want to get to know more details about me, please feel free to reach out below:
Chris Lin, Founder, Summit Breeze Tea
Emergency Kit Transforms Gift into Professional Partnership
For a long time, holiday gifts felt like a simple product catalog. People focused on price, but it did nothing to build a lasting connection. We were talking at the recipient, not with them.
The unique gift I gave was a custom-assembled, personalized “Emergency Operational Kit” for a friend who is a solo heavy duty mechanic. The role a strategic mindset has played in shaping the gift is simple: it has given us a platform to show, not just tell. Our core brand identity is based on the idea that we are a partner to our customers.
It resonated so well because it spoke to their operational reality. The kit contained specialized tools and a quick-reference guide for OEM Cummins Turbocharger issues. The most important feature was a pre-paid, emergency service contact number, guaranteeing my support. The focus wasn’t on the price; it’s on their skill, their expertise, and their operational success.
The exceptional reaction proved that the connection is now defined by the quality of the shared professional relationship, which is a much more authentic way to build a bond. The gift was no longer a broadcast channel for spending; it’s a community of experts, and I’m just a partner.
My advice is that you have to stop thinking of a gift as a way to promote your wealth and start thinking of it as a platform to celebrate the recipient’s operational success. Your brand is not what you say it is; it’s what your customers say it is.
Illustrious Espiritu, Marketing Director, Autostar Heavy Duty
Eco-Tour Voucher Turns Nature Passion into Adventure
During the 2025 holiday season, a standout gift was a personalized experience voucher for a guided eco-tour. This adventure was tailored for a nature-loving friend, featuring exclusive access to a renowned local guide skilled in storytelling and wildlife photography. The gift resonated emotionally, highlighting the recipient’s interests and reinforcing the trend of valuing experiences over material possessions.
Mohammed Kamal, Business Development Manager, Olavivo