Brand Partner ContentSome might say that a holiday gift guide in October is a bit premature, and they would have a very good argument to back that up. But something about the autumn weather and festive spirit of Halloween puts us in the mood for the joyous months of celebration to come.
Also, stressing out over last-minute gifts as products start to sell out as soon as the clock hits midnight on November 1st is never fun. And with holiday shopping becoming more stressful every year, it pays to think ahead both financially and psychologically.
Luckily enough, Halloween does serve as an anchor of inspiration for gift ideas that are both practical and unconventional. But for those patiently waiting for the frights of October to roll through, these gifts inspired by classic horror staples can still provide a creative idea for early gift shoppers and those making their holiday wishlists.
1. “The Birds” — The Birds-I-View Bird Feeder
Alfred Hitchcock’s horror classic follows a socialite grappling with a wave of unexplainable violent attacks from swarms of birds in a California town. That doesn’t seem like a plot that’s conducive to unique gift inspiration, but it actually calls to mind one of the fastest-growing hobbies in America: Birding.
It’s true, a pandemic-fuelled desire to reconnect with nature has pushed millions of people across the country to take up bird watching as a way to observe unique animals and improve mental health. And it’s resonating with younger generations too, as people look for new ways to connect with their environment and wildlife with sustainable, non-invasive activities.
Birds-I-View, created by Nature Anywhere, easily enables just that. The company itself is dedicated to bringing nature’s joy to any household, making the indoors a gateway to the wilderness. The bird feeder is built to last, using transparent materials that give a 360-degree view of any avian visitors, with a large dual-sided feeding tray and suction cups that can stick to any window—from the house to the office or anywhere in between.
That accessibility also translates to age and ability, as the Birds-I-View feeder empowers people who might not be able to access nature directly due to physical circumstances to still have a gateway to wildlife. The Birds-I-View feeder makes an ideal gift that doesn’t break the bank and also gives the nature enthusiast in your life a front-row seat to animal life.
2. “Hocus Pocus” — Vyrao’s Incense Bundle
This next selection takes inspiration from a more kid-friendly entry, but “Hocus Pocus” certainly packs a nostalgic punch for the Halloween season. The film’s three sister witches also correspond perfectly with the Incense Bundle from cult fragrance and wellness brand Vyrao.
Established in 2021, the London-based brand taps into the power of nature to create a brand that emphasizes holistic well-being and master perfumery for the self and the home. It’s quickly become an “if you know you know” fragrance brand, easily recognizable for its unique scents and striking packaging. So if there’s someone on your list who’s all in on all the latest beauty and wellness trends, this bundle is sure to tick all the boxes.
The Incense Bundle is the ideal gift for the person looking to step up their home fragrance game using a natural solution that has been used for thousands of years. The “Witchy”, “Verdant”, and “Ember” incense sticks each come with a distinct fragrance and energy-healing powers for the home. Pair this bundle with an incense holder to create a statement gift package that can enliven up your loved one’s living space for years to come.
3. “Scream” — The UP Phone
If there’s anything that “Scream” taught us, it’s that one phone call can strike fear into anyone. The slasher comedy’s iconic opening scene with Drew Barrymore alone can make even the most socially active person concerned about their own privacy and safety when using their cell phone.
Although the film’s premise is far-fetched, the concepts of mobile safety and data privacy are very real issues that only become more pressing. For those who are looking to fortify their mobile safety and put privacy back into their own hands, there is a state-of-the-art alternative that’s now available.
The UP Phone, developed by privacy-first mobile developer Unplugged, is now up for pre-order. Built with physical privacy features and OS-level protection, the UP Phone empowers consumers to reclaim their right to privacy in daily communications, free from unwanted monitoring and data collection. The device’s “enhanced privacy mode” and physical kill-switch lets users set their own privacy and security standards at the core of the phone, limiting or completely cutting off exposure across apps, software, and hardware.
Alongside the privacy features, the UP Phone comes equipped with all the trappings that users come to expect from their smartphones. Its impressive slate of features and proprietary operating system make it the perfect gift for anyone concerned with their data privacy and safety in an increasingly connected world.
4. “The Shining” — Livia
What do you think of when you picture a scene from Stanley Kubrick’s terrifying masterpiece? For most people, it’s probably the iconic twins, the hedge maze, or the elevator filled with blood. That last scene, oddly enough, serves as inspiration for our next gift suggestion. Well, and the film’s theme of isolation and madness caused by trauma.
Despite affecting 80 percent of half the world’s population, the solutions to alleviate menstrual cycle symptoms and period pain continue to go unaddressed. This is especially true for women whose pain doesn’t subside from over-the-counter medication or natural remedies, leaving them feeling isolated during moments of debilitating pain.
Enter Livia, a technological answer to help address the needs of 1.8 billion women worldwide experiencing menstrual pain on a monthly basis. Dubbed the “off switch” for menstrual pain, Livia is the only wearable device to date to receive FDA 510K clearance specifically for its clinically proven menstrual pain tech solution. No medication, no fuss, and no unsightly or invasive design.
By alleviating or eliminating menstrual pain in under a minute through patented SmartWave™ technology, Livia employs electric micro-pulses to tap into the body’s natural pain defenses. By severing pain at the source, the solution empowers women to continue living their lives and feel less alone in dealing with a health issue that is sadly often seen as taboo.
5. “The Blair Witch Project” — Canon PowerShot ELPH 180
Talk about a trend we did not see returning anytime soon. Over the past year, both digital and film cameras have taken Gen Z by storm, flying the face of increasingly powerful mobile camera technology. While this resurgence is fuelled by nostalgia and a renewed love for all things Y2K and indie sleaze, it does also bring to mind “The Blair Witch Project”, an iconic horror film that kicked off the “found footage” horror movie trend for years to come.
By using digital cameras, creating the possibility that the film could have actually been real, is what made “The Blair Witch Project” so much more chilling and unsettling than anything before it. It demonstrates the power of a point-and-shoot camera, for both better or for worse. While there are plenty of digital cameras circulating the primary and secondhand market right now, our pick to tap into the trend is Canon’s PowerShot ELPH 180.
Not only does the design instantly bring back memories of the early aughts, but it still packs a punch despite being so compact. It can slip into any bag for a night out or to capture memories on a vacation without having to be attached to your phone. If you have someone from Gen Z on your holiday shopping list who’s glued to TikTok, this is a gift they’re going to cherish even when the hype dies down. This one might be a bit hard to get your hands on, but getting a head start now will certainly be worth it.
By taking inspiration from unlikely sources, holiday gift shopping can become something that feels like a chore and more of an activity that stretches the imagination. So even if you’re already over Halloween and all the horror that goes along with it, these ideas can give you a boost to kick off the holiday season.
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