Top lockdown gifts to enjoy at home

Running out of ways to beat off the winter and lockdown blues?

For most of us, the TV has been our favourite companion, turning us into avid armchair travellers. In fact, together with streaming videos, TV is believed to have consumed two hours and 53 minutes of our days on average during lockdown.

But if you agree it’s time to shake up the weekend plans, treat someone you know is having a hard time, or make a birthday that bit more special, we’re here to help. Lots of brilliant brands have come up with innovative lockdown gifts that put the fun back into our living rooms, and for a change there isn’t a virtual quiz in sight. Sign us up!

A real treat at home

Local takeaway outlets have been spicing up Friday nights for months. But even our favourite curry, fish and chips or Chinese loses its zing after multiple orders. For any food lovers in your life, our tempting foodie isolation gifts pack plenty of flavour and certainly offer something a little different.

Order a treat they can look forward to on the regular with a HelloFresh meal kit, beer or cheese subscription. They’re the gifts that keep on giving, promising to cheer them up for weeks to come.

If you’d prefer to make one day particularly special, opt for a classic afternoon tea at home. We’ll send you a package complete with sandwiches, cakes, scones and savoury treats. It’s a great way of getting the kids involved and there are vegan alternatives, too. A brimming isolation hamper is another option that always goes down well. Whether they’re into prosecco and truffles, or are all beer and crisps, we’ve got plenty to choose from.

Turn the kitchen into the workshop

Now that they’ve perfected their banana bread, why not give them a new challenge. Lots of foodie companies have created online experiences, giving us the chance to get involved in our own kitchens. Give them a virtual class where they can try their hand at chocolate or truffle making, learn how to make bread from the masters, or join BBC Food for a cook-along.

Any budding chefs will love the online courses with big names in the food business, including Michel Roux Jr. And if you’re getting prepped for Valentine’s Day, a date night cooking lesson will definitely earn you lots of points.

Green-fingered lockdown gift ideas

After spending 2020 spring and summer mostly in the garden, many of us have learned to love growing our own. Before spring comes around again, now is the perfect time to brush up on gardening knowledge to make this year’s blooms their best yet.

An online gardening diploma will give any passionate gardeners all the tips they need to keep their garden tidy, landscape a space, and create new vegetable or herb plots. If they’re keen to enjoy a few of their own nurtured tomatoes and strawberries, a self-sufficiency course will teach them how to produce a bumper crop. And for those who love picking flowers from their own garden, you could buy them a virtual eco-friendly floristry course.

Bring a little zen

For those who are struggling to switch off at the moment, some me-time will definitely be appreciated. Help them find their relaxation haven at home with lockdown presents inspired by health and wellbeing. Yogis will appreciate a voucher for an online session on the mat, while fitness freaks can learn some at-home exercises with a virtual gym diploma or nutrition course.  If deep breathing is on the menu, a mindfulness course will give them the tools they need to relax on the go.

Sometimes, only a pamper session will do. While nothing can replace a proper spa day, our self-care packages will give them treatments they can use at home for up 30 days of relaxation time. There are also letterbox-friendly care packages, ideal for surprising them with a doorstep delivery. 

Lockdown gifts for learning something new

Lots of us have more time on our hands than ever before. If they’re keen to use this time wisely, you can send gifts online that will help them learn a new skill or hobby.

Perhaps they’ve always wanted to learn sign language or how to knit. If they’re into crafts but haven’t found their favourite, let them experiment with making their own aromatherapy candles, creating a personalised fragrance or designing jewellery. We have gifts that cover any interest.

You never know, your present could be the start of a whole new career. And with public speaking courses, makeup artist tutorials and interior design diplomas in the mix, the possibilities are endless.

Vouchers with staying power

With so many lockdown presents to choose from, it can be difficult to pick the one that’s right. So, if you’re not sure which one they’ll enjoy the most, the multi-experience voucher will cover all bases. Our instant eVouchers are valid for 20 months, the longest in the UK, so they’ll have lots of freedom to decide when the time is right to enjoy their gift. No matter what you choose, you can rest assured that we offer contact-free gifting. It’s part of our making memories guarantee.