When Love (and Venmo) Come Together for Something That Matters
No one needs another random sweater, scented candle, or that basket full of bath oils, bombs, and bubble bath they got last year—the one that’s probably still sitting underneath the bathroom sink.
What people do need is a little love, kindness, support, and connection. Time with the ones they love—and who love them back. That alone is a gift. But if you want to give a little more, and things are feeling a little tight this year, making it a group effort can go a long way.
Families and friend groups can chip in whatever they can toward an experience—not another thing destined for the back of the closet or (gasp!) the Facebook Marketplace resale pile.
Nobody wants to feel like they aren’t giving enough or can’t give at all. So instead of stretching your wallet thin, pull together and give someone something they’ll actually enjoy—something that makes them feel appreciated, celebrated, and seen.
If you’re using Venmo, remember to hide those activity notes. Pick one person to collect everything, keep the surprise safe, and wrap it all up with a simple card.
Before You Shop: The One Gift That Doesn’t Need Wrapping
A lot of people need help right now. More than they’re saying out loud.
It doesn’t even have to be someone you know. There are people in your own community who could use a little help—whether it’s a neighbor, a parent trying to make ends meet, or a family quietly struggling through the season.
Do something quietly kind. Chip in toward a bill. Have groceries or essentials delivered. Slip a grocery or gas gift card into a holiday card.
It doesn’t have to be big, and it doesn’t need to be announced.
You can also look into community programs that help families directly. Many grocery stores offer a “donate a holiday meal” option at checkout. Local food banks, shelters, and community organizations always need monetary donations or non-perishables.
If you want to get hands-on, volunteer as a family. Serve at a food pantry. Help sort donations. Drop off pet food to your local animal shelter.
It doesn’t take much to remind someone they’re not alone. And sometimes, that’s the most meaningful gift of all.
The Top 10 BB’s Better-Together Gift Ideas
1. Personal Training Sessions
Training packages are pricey, which makes this a great group gift. You don’t need to cover everything—just give what you can.
Most gyms don’t offer gift cards, so the easiest options are cash, a check in a card, or calling the gym to ask how to add credit to someone’s account.
I go to Crunch Fitness Parrish and it’ll be two years in March. My trainer, Arianna, has been with me for over a year and she’s fantastic. If you’re local, she’s my recommendation.
2. Aesthetician or Med Spa Gift Card
Call their aesthetician or favorite spa and ask what they recommend. They know their client’s preferences and usually offer digital or physical gift cards.
My go-tos:
- Lush Injectables — where I see Morgana, my aesthetician
- Arsenault Aesthetics — great for maintenance and skincare
3. Salon Style or Dry-Bar Day
Call their salon and ask how to apply funds toward their stylist or a service.
I’ve been going to Derek The Salon in Sarasota for over five years. Derek is incredible, and Olivia does my cut and color.
I also want to try Drybar Sarasota at UTC for the styles I can’t do myself. Some start around $25, which makes this a fun little glam upgrade.
4. Theatre Night + Dinner
Some people love a group outing and others love going to shows solo. Just know your person.
My mom and I love the Broadway Series at the Straz Center in Tampa. Locally, the Asolo Rep and smaller theaters around Sarasota are amazing.
When we’re downtown, we like to eat at The Ringling Grillroom before the show. You don’t need a museum ticket to dine—just call ahead for hours and reservations.
5. Wellness Massage
Choose something calming and restorative:
- Lymphatic drainage
- Swedish
- Deep-tissue
- Hot-stone
I love the manual lymphatic massage at Healthy Way MedSpa in downtown Sarasota. It helps with circulation, inflammation, and overall reset.
6. Wine Tasting & Food Pairing
I like Cooper’s Hawk for this—some memberships include tastings, or you can just buy one and go to dinner afterward. It’s nothing fancy, and yes, it’s a chain, but it’s affordable, it’s good, and it’s fun to go to with friends and family.
If you want something a little more swanky, a quick Google search will help you find the local wine bars, upscale tasting rooms, or vineyard tours that fit your vibe.
Not local? That same quick search will show you wine bars, vineyard tours, or tasting events near you.
7. Museum or Exhibit Day
Thoughtful, inspiring, and easy to personalize. Local favorites include:
- The Dalí Museum — immersive and beautiful
- The Bishop Museum of Science & Nature — great planetarium experiences
- The Mote Aquarium — for the ocean lovers
- The Ringling Museum — art, history, the Ca’ d’Zan, the Circus Museum
Bonus: The Ringling Grillroom is right next door, and a museum ticket is not required to dine.
8. Wellness + Energy Experiences
Sound baths, Reiki, tarot readings, meditation, breathwork sessions, guided energy experiences—great for someone who loves grounding, clarity, or just trying something new.
9. Self-Care Subscriptions or Memberships
Little monthly reminders to slow down. Skincare minis, sample-size treatments, or anything that feels like a personal recharge.
Both Lush Injectables and Arsenault Aesthetics offer monthly memberships and packages you can prepay.
And don’t forget: a lot of gyms offer low-cost monthly memberships, and many wellness studios run monthly specials too. It’s an easy way to give someone a few months of feel-good routines without breaking the bank.
10. Disney Magic
For the Disney fan in every family—because let’s face it, the most magical place on earth is also the most expensive place on earth.
You can buy Disney Gift Cards at most grocery stores. They work for park tickets, food, merch, and hotel stays.
I’m a Disney annual passholder, but not everyone can go often. Florida resident passes can be paid monthly—usually $35–$100 depending on the tier—so even small contributions help.
BB’s Real Talk Disclosure
When I share Amazon links, I earn a small commission. But this post isn’t that. These are just places and services I use, go to, or would like to go to—no deals, no kickbacks, just genuine recs from me to you.
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