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5 Meaningful Ways to Give the Gift of a Yummy Drink

I have a passion for gift-giving.

Especially the kind of gifts that are simple, unexpected, and don’t always fit in a box.

Prime example: yummy drinks.

And if there’s ever a season for yummy drinks, it’s fall!  Amiright?  Everything’s turning up roses pumpkin and cinnamon and apples.  Yum, yum, and more yum.

5 Meaningful Ways to Give the Gift of a Yummy Drink | Sometimes the best gifts to give are the simple ones--the unexpected ones--the ones that don't fit inside a box. Prime example: yummy drinks! Coffee--tea--homemade smoothies: they all possess the power to turn someone's day around! Here are 5 simple yet meaningful ways to warm someone's soul with a cup of comfort!

Thus, it felt fitting to explore some of my favorite ways to give the gift of a yummy drink…5 of them, in fact!

5 Meaningful Ways to Give the Gift of a Yummy Drink

I actually hosted a Periscope chat on this subject, so if you’d like to view some of my ideas and those of The Thinking Closet community on how to lavish others with love through the gift of a yummy drink, well then, click HERE or check out the vid below.

Story Time

Now those of you who know me well know that when a topic touches me to the core (like the topic of yummy drinks does), I must begin with a story.  There’s simply no other way.  So, I invite you to journey back in time with me to a very “blah” day that was turned around by the gift of a yummy drink.

Flashback to junior year of college.  Directing class.  8:30 a.m.

I was so tired, I had just rolled out of bed and put a sweatshirt on over my PJs.  My friend Gina arrived late to class, but with a skip in her step.  And soon I saw why.  She had two Starbucks drinks in hand.  I didn’t blame her!  It was definitely a double espresso kind o’ day.

Well, little did I know that one of those drinks was for me.  {Gasp!}  And during our 10-minute break, she brought it over to me: my first iced caramel macchiato.  No gift could have been of greater value to me in that moment.

I kid you not, after guzzling down that drink, it was like Dorothy had arrived in Munchkinland. Everything went from black and white to vivid Technicolor.

The birds were singing.  Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” was playing.  Everything was right with the world.  I even went back to my dorm and put on my turquoise swirly skirt, pink top, and bounced through the rest of the day.  Nothing could keep me down!

Yes, it may have been somewhat related to the caffeine and sugar rush, but I swear it was the thoughtfulness and utter surprise of her gift that made the greatest mark.  Gina has said to me many a time,

“Coffee tastes better when someone else buys it for you.”   {Click to tweet.}

Ain’t that the truth?

Ever since that day, I’ve made it my mission to surprise folks with cups of comfort—and not just my friends either.

Once after a tense conversation with a co-worker, I decided that rather than grow bitter or resentful, I’d bury the hatchet with a peace offering.  So, that night before bed, I texted her, “What Starbucks drink can I pick up for you tomorrow?”  She was so taken aback by my gesture of love, any tension between us dissipated, and we laughed about our conflict the next day.

Cups of comfort have healing powers, I tell you….

5 Meaningful Ways to Give the Gift of a Yummy Drink

5 Meaningful Ways to Give the Gift of a Yummy Drink | Sometimes the best gifts to give are the simple ones--the unexpected ones--the ones that don't fit inside a box. Prime example: yummy drinks! Coffee--tea--homemade smoothies: they all possess the power to turn someone's day around! Here are 5 simple yet meaningful ways to warm someone's soul with a cup of comfort!

1.  Take a friend out to coffee or tea and pay for her drink.

Coffee dates are one of my favorite ways to connect with a loved one.  And that time is made all the sweeter when I lavish them with a cup of something delicious.

Sometimes, when I invite said friend to add her drink to my order, she’ll balk and insist on paying separately.  In that case, I just throw Gina’s adage her way, saying, “Coffee always tastes better when someone else buys it for you.  Please let me love you in this way!”  Without fail, she caves.

And receives my simple gift with open hands.

5 Meaningful Ways to Give the Gift of a Yummy Drink | Sometimes the best gifts to give are the simple ones--the unexpected ones--the ones that don't fit inside a box. Prime example: yummy drinks! Coffee--tea--homemade smoothies: they all possess the power to turn someone's day around! Here are 5 simple yet meaningful ways to warm someone's soul with a cup of comfort!
Tea Time with two of my faves, sister and hubby, drinks gifted by Mom | Instagram 3.26.13

Bonus Tip:  Wondering where this all fits in your monthly budget?  Consider creating a “generosity” category dedicated just to gifts like these!  Once we added a generosity envelope to our cash budget system, it inspired me to actively seek out opportunities to show love in this way.

2.  Surprise ’em with a gift card!

Gift cards get a bad rap sometimes for seeming impersonal or lacking meaning.  Au contraire!  I speak from experience as the recipient of many-a-Starbucks-gift-card when I say it can be incredibly personal and meaningful.

Here are two really simple ways to send a love-bomb in the form of a gift card dedicated to yummy drinks:

  1. include with it a handwritten note of love and encouragement, sharing what makes the recipient so special and so worthy of a cup (or two) of yum.
  2. incorporate the element of surprise!  Embrace unbirthdays and Mondays.  And also get strategic about unexpected locations, i.e. tucked in a drawer or car sun visor.  Imagine the joy you’d send to your mail carrier if a gift card with his name on it was waiting for him in your mailbox.  Or to your sanitations workers with a few taped to your trash bin as a small but meaningful thank you.

Actually, just this past Sunday, I surprised my cast and crew with gift cards for everyone who was on time for our 7:00 a.m. call.  Because, by golly it was an early morning, and they deserved a pat on the back in the form of a $5 Starbucks gift card.

I added a little extra T.L.C. to those gift cards in the form of a “This Drink Is On Me” coupon.

5 Meaningful Ways to Give the Gift of a Yummy Drink | Sometimes the best gifts to give are the simple ones--the unexpected ones--the ones that don't fit inside a box. Prime example: yummy drinks! Coffee--tea--homemade smoothies: they all possess the power to turn someone's day around! Here are 5 simple yet meaningful ways to warm someone's soul with a cup of comfort!

5 Meaningful Ways to Give the Gift of a Yummy Drink | Sometimes the best gifts to give are the simple ones--the unexpected ones--the ones that don't fit inside a box. Prime example: yummy drinks! Coffee--tea--homemade smoothies: they all possess the power to turn someone's day around! Here are 5 simple yet meaningful ways to warm someone's soul with a cup of comfort!

Grab the Printable

If your mind is reeling with possibilities for how to jazz up some gift cards with a “This Drink’s On Me” message, there are two different ways for you to get your hands on this printable.

1.  Printable only: you can grab the PDF printable as an instant download for only $0.99.  Just click HERE or on the button below to make your purchase.

click HERE to buy your "This Drink's On Me" coupon printable!

2.  eBook with 11 Printables: this printable is just one of 11 that come with my eBook, Thinking Outside the Gift Box: 21 Money-Saving & Meaningful Gift Ideas.  So, if you’d like a flood of inspiration for more simple yet heartfelt gifts, be sure to click HERE or on the button below to check out some sample chapters, read some rave reviews, and nab a copy.  Join the revolution as we re-discover the joy of giving!

Thinking Outside the Gift Box eBook by Lauren from ThinkingCloset.com - Chock FULL of frugal yet meaningful gift ideas to get your creative juices flowing!

Click HERE to learn more about Lauren's eBook, Thinking Outside the Gift Box

3.  Pay for the car behind you in the drive-through.

Go the random-act-of-kindness route when going through the drive-through at your favorite coffee spot or fast food restaurant.

Ask to pay for a $5 gift card for the car behind you, hand over a “This Drink Is On Me” coupon, and commission the cashier to be your accomplice in making a stranger’s day a whole lot sweeter.

I dare say this one will be a gift not only to the stranger in the car behind you, but to the cashier and most definitely to you, too!  Because that’s the thing about this kind of gift-giving that comes straight from the heart: it magically starts giving back to you.

Prepare to get hooked!

5 Meaningful Ways to Give the Gift of a Yummy Drink | Sometimes the best gifts to give are the simple ones--the unexpected ones--the ones that don't fit inside a box. Prime example: yummy drinks! Coffee--tea--homemade smoothies: they all possess the power to turn someone's day around! Here are 5 simple yet meaningful ways to warm someone's soul with a cup of comfort!

4.  Give the gift of a mug and yummy drink kit!

For a fun seasonal treat, pull together a Hot Chocolate Drink Kit Gift complete with mug, hot chocolate packets, yummy chocolate dipping spoons, and a candy-cane…everything your recipient needed to concoct the dreamiest cup of cocoa imaginable.

Check out my blog post for the full run-down, plus the FREE Silhouette cut file for creating custom gift tags that read:

I don’t know if there’ll be snow, but have a cup of cheer!

Don’t mind if I do. {Tee hee.}

Hot Chocolate Drink Kit Gift with FREE Silhouette Cut File for Gift Tags | Pointers for how to print-and-cut custom gift tags on silver foil with your Silhouette, tips for creating yummy chocolate dipping spoons, plus a whole collection of holiday projects to tackle with your Silhouette machine! via thinkincloset.com
Hot Chocolate Drink Kit Gift with FREE Silhouette Cut File for Gift Tags

5.  Doctor up a yummy drink at home and hand-deliver it with a smile.

Never underestimate the impact of a yummy drink you whip up at home for a family member or friend who stopped by.  It may not feel like a “gift” in your mind, but when you carefully choose a mug and mix up that drink with some extra love…trust me: it will warm their heart (and belly!).

My favorite yummy drink to make for Mark in the fall is Rooibos Coconut Chai by *Teamotions.  We got a tin of the caffeine-free version, so it’s safe to drink after dinner.  Don’t you just love how you can actually see the pink peppercorn and shredded coconut in the loose leaf?

My favorite yummy drink to make for Mark in the fall is Rooibos Coconut Chai by *Teamotions. We got a tin of the caffeine-free version, so it's safe to drink after dinner. Don't you just love how you can actually see the pink peppercorn and shredded coconut in the loose leaf?

I like to mix in some extra Lauren-love in the form of honey and culinary coconut milk before surprising Mark with his yummy drink.

And get this: remember my sweet college friend Gina who made my day with her surprise gift of an iced caramel macchiato in directing class?

Well, we’re still friends, and not only did Gina grow up to become an amazing wife, mom, writer, and boxer (yes, the red-gloved kind), but she continues to give the gift of yummy drinks as a Teamotions Tea ambassador.  She’s the one who first introduced me to the delicious Rooibos Coconut Chai tea. Thank you, Gina!

For some inspirational reading, check out the Teamotions Tea origin story. And prepare to have a new favorite small business.

Teamotions Tea Gift Set Giveaway at The Thinking Closet | Enter to win of these gorgeous (and yummy) tea sets, complete with everything you need for 64 cups of tea that are good for the body and soul.
This is my favorite tea: SEEK PEACE | Rooibos Coconut Chai

 

To Close

I can’t say it enough,

it’s amazing how something as simple as a yummy drink gifted with love can brighten someone’s day.  {Click to tweet.}

I trust this list of 5 is just the tip of the iceberg for you and that your mind is reeling with more simple yet meaningful ways to give a cup of comfort.  Do share in the comments with your own yummy drink tales!  We want to hear ’em.

My One Word for 2015: SURRENDER | reflections by the thinking closet

Enjoy those yummy drinks, my friends–both gifting them to others and yourself.

signature

 

 

*Full Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning that if you make a purchase after clicking through, The Thinking Closet or GinaBooton.com may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for helping to support our sites.

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75 Comments

  1. I love to hand make little mugs decorated with paint and or sharpies filled with teas, coffees, and or hot ciders and chocolate☺️

  2. Lauren,

    Love your site, love your dance party and I love you! Thanks for the fun and good times, you rock girl.

    Love,
    Maureen

  3. My favorite way to gift someone is by showing up to work with an extra drink in hand. Educators are always happy for a little pick me up. If not, a gift card will always work.

  4. I love this SO much! I want to start a list with all my coworker’s coffee preferences so I can randomly do this for people that have worked extra hard or are having a hard time. Thanks for sharing!

  5. I love this post! Gift giving is so meaningful and special, especially when it’s something little and unexpected. And, what a true saying about coffee tasting better when someone else buys it! 😉 Thanks for the great ideas for sharing the love!

  6. I just found your blog and love your focus on life already! Small acts are so important and giving the gift of tea is like giving them a moment of quiet. Something we all need more of. 🙂

  7. That hot cocoa in a jar is such a wonderful idea! I couldn’t agree more that when someone gives you coffee or tea, it makes it taste a gazillion times better 🙂

  8. I am so glad I happened upon your website !!! I love the idea of gift giving for no particular reason, it makes the person feel good and then the look on their face and the happiness just does my heart good. Thank you !!

  9. Coffee does taste better when someone else buys it! So true. I often lose my focus thinking I have to do BIG things to change the world, but a simple act of kindness can often create the spark that will light someone’s life forever.

  10. I loved your Periscope and I was invited to see it…so glad… You are a joy! Love your generous heart and I’ll be buying a coffee to someone pretty soon .., thank you. Oh and that tea, the coconut one sounds like perfection! Have an awesome day!☕️

  11. You hit the nail on the head with this post. It’s such a joy to give and receive a simple warm beverage and I’ve tried each of these ideas on occasion. I’ve found that a fun way to mark my birthday each year is to set a basket of tea and chai mix in the teachers’ lounge at my kids’ school along with my electric kettle and some disposable insulated cups with lids from costco…a budget-friendly way to say thanks to all those sweet teachers that normally I couldn’t include on our Christmas list. Thanks for the tip on the coconut chai, will have to add it to my stash! Great giveaway!

  12. This is the PERFECT way to receive the gift of a special drink! Love the beautiful mug and special packaging! Thank you for this opportunity to win. 🙂

  13. I love giving gift cards to friend’s favorite coffee shop, or make them mix in the jar 🙂 And I also love to spend time with them just enjoying good time with good friend and good coffee or tea 🙂

  14. At Christmas, I often give gift baskets with homemade cookies, homemade cocoa mix, and tea. I like to envision the recipients sitting down to a warm drink and cookies to take a break from the day.

  15. What a fun giveaway, Lauren. Thank you! Gifting a cup of coffee or tea is truly a gift where the thought and effort has much more value than the gift itself…..and don’t we all like to feel special and loved! Thanks for the reminder, again, that a gift does does not have to have a great monetary value to show someone they are cherished.

    1. My pleasure, Christine! I need to remind myself of that continually. It’s not about the money, time invested, or creative factor…but about the HEART. Sometimes (oftentimes) simple is best. Also, love your use of the word “cherished!” It needs to become a more frequently used word in my vocabulary.

  16. Loved this post! My favorite way of gifting a yummy drink is when its completely unexpected, kind of like your story with Gina. It always ends up being the time they need it most. And brings a smile to their face! Im now inspired to mail out Starbucks gift cards to my friends off the island, because who doesn’t love getting a treat in the mail??
    Thank you for sharing!

    1. Harrah! So glad you found some gift-giving inspiration in this post, Liya. I know your friends will be so touched. Everyone loves real mail AND coffee treats. Especially from loved ones like you. Go girl!

  17. LOVE this post, Lauren (as always! :))…Once I was in the drive-thru line for Starbucks and when it was my turn to pay, the cashier said the customer in front of me had paid for me. It totally blew me away, especially since it was my birthday! 🙂 What an unexpected and wonderful gift. 🙂 Thanks for all of your gift-giving inspiration. 🙂 🙂

    1. YAY! I love it! I’m actually planning on giving the drive-through gift today before my 4p scope…I’m actually all giddy with excitement to try it out. We’ve paid for tolls in the cars behind us, but I have yet to try the drive-through coffee gift. Hearing your testimonial gets me all the more excited!

  18. I have gifted many Starbucks cards over the years for varied occasions. I am most intrigued about gifting some cards for NO occasion. I think I’ll tuck a card in my husband’s visor … for no reason. That’s a great idea!!

  19. My favorite way to give a gift of coffee is to treat a friend (or daughter) to a surprise cup of their favorite brew from our local drive thru coffee shop – it’s just as easy to pick up coffee for two as it is getting one for myself!
    My favorite way to give the gift of tea is surprising a friend with a tea-party-in-a-basket. It’s been a while since I’ve done this, but it blesses the ‘gifter’ as much as it blesses the ‘giftee’
    Thank you, Lauren, for your inspiration – you never fail to disappoint me!

    1. You’re so right! It is just as easy! It’s often just a matter of having that heart and mindset…which of course you have by nature, sweet Linda. Ooo! And the tea-party-in-a-basket idea is brilliant! Aw, and you never fail to make me smile with your sweet comments. Thank you, thank you!

  20. this post was an timeless classic, i loved it. and i also loved the mug of Rooibos Coconut Chai by *Teamotions that you made… some lucky winner is about to experience the magic of gina’s tea.

  21. At our house, we LOVE tea, hot or cold. We have one and a half shelves in the cabinet by the stove that is nothing but loose tea, tea bags (in 2 lucite tea chests from The Container Store) and all manner of tea paraphernalia, re: tea balls on chains, spoon style tea balls, disposable paper tea bags to make our own blends, etc. Would love to sample some of your favorite teas, Lauren. Have you ever considered having a “Tea Party” with your friends with hats, tea dresses, the works?

    1. Oooo! My ears perked up at the mention of lucite tea chests! I must get my hands on some, lol. It sounds like you have some pretty magnificent tea gear. I’m sure a guest in your home feels incredibly loved every time they doctor up a drink. And YES! I’ve totally done tea parties before. I even had a tea party birthday as a little girl and we drank from teacups. Need to do another one soon. Thanks for the idea, Peg!

  22. Great post! I will definitely be trying some of these out! My friend treated me to Starbucks when he came to visit me at university a the weekend and it was such a nice treat, so thanks for my Chai Tea Latte, friend 🙂

  23. My neighbor and I have kids on the same soccer team, so if I stop and grab a drink on the way I always grad one for her as well for us to enjoy while we chat and watch the kids practice.

  24. My favorite way to get a surprise drink gift is when I pull up to the drive thru window and them tell you your order is paid for. 😉

    1. Love that, Dawn! And way to go, covering all the bases by including a nifty mug. I’m considering doing a big batch of drink kit gifts in a mug this year for co-workers. A fun yet inexpensive way to brighten their day and holiday!

  25. The reason I love your blog so much is that you’re not afraid to be just plain wacky! I get this idea often that I need to be all professional and stuff, which is somewhat true, but readers really do like wackiness, and you give me confidence that it’s okay to do that, even on a big blog like this! So thank you!

    That didn’t exactly have to do with this post, but this post did remind me of it, once again. 🙂

    1. Ha ha. Your comment made my day, Maggie. So glad my wackiness isn’t a turn off to you. Yes, I am a firm believer in incorporating your honest voice into your writing…humor, jokes, wackiness and all. There is a time to be professional and also a time not to be…and most of the time, I embrace my non-professional voice. Lol. Actually, this is a subject near and dear to my heart (voice) and one day I hope to write a book or teach a course on it! Thanks for igniting my passions!

  26. For years my cousin and I have exchanged Starbucks cards as birthday/Christmas gifts. It’s our thing to pick up a drink for the other when we are meeting up somewhere. She was the first to introduce me to the PSL and each year I dedicate my first one to her.

    I also love it when my daughter comes up and asks if we can go have coffee somewhere. She holds on to her gift cards and always offers to treat me. It makes my day!

    Thanks for the cool giveaway!

    1. Aw, I love that sweet Starbucks connection you share with your cousin and all the ways you lavish each other with the gift of drinks. What a great idea to dedicate your first Pumpkin Spice Latte of the season to her! I may have to start dedicating my drinks to others. Do you let her know with a picture text?

      Oh, and that about broke my heart to hear about your daughter’s generous spirit in wanting to take YOU out to coffee. I think you’re doing a lot of things right in the parenting arena.

      Thanks for sharing and for entering, K!

  27. Love all these ideas, but the “generosity” bonus tip is the best. I don’t do a cash envelope system, but I love the idea of drawing some cash each month to keep in my wallet just for generosity. Thanks, Lauren!

    1. Yay! So glad that one resonated with you. Yeah, it was a game-changer for us when we started working generosity into our budget each month; it makes spontaneous giving something we look out for instead of feel guilty about.

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