Post-pandemic Gift Ideas
2021-06-07
LRC
TXT
大字
小字
滚动
全页
1In many places around the world, the coronavirus pandemic is still affecting people's lives.
2With lockdowns still in place, friends are still not able to gather as they once did.
3However, in other places, especially where vaccination numbers are high, things are starting to return to normal.
4And "normal" often means simply being able to spend time in person with the people in your life for the first time in well over a year.
5With parties and get-togethers starting up again, it is a great time to bring a gift.
6But selecting a great gift for someone takes thought.
7Knowing their tastes and hobbies is important.
8What do they like to do for fun? During the pandemic, a person may have started a new hobby, like painting.
9That is important to know.
10When I asked friends on social media what they would most like to get as a post-pandemic gift, the top answers were travel, live music shows and hugs from friends and family.
11Writer Katie Workman for the Associated Press gives her ideas in a recent story. We share them with you here.
12With restaurants closed, many people taught themselves to cook.
13Luckily for the gift-giver, there are many things you can give to those who love to cook.
14If you are from or visit an area that is known for a certain type of food, bring that.
15In the United States, Workman says that might mean cheese from Wisconsin, maple syrup from Vermont, peaches from Georgia or peanuts from South Carolina.
16I would add oranges from Florida or salmon from Alaska.
17Other gifts could be special oils or sauces to cook with.
18Fresh herb plants for the kitchen make a good gift, too.
19Cookbooks and cooking tools can also be thoughtful gifts for friends who love to cook.
20Or you may want to get them a fun apron to protect their clothing while cooking.
21People who often entertain, or give parties, are easy to buy for.
22Any gift that adds to fun entertaining is a good idea.
23Bringing flowers as a gift or a bottle of nice wine will never be a bad idea.
24But after more than a year you may want to think of something extra special as a gift.
25You can give them items they can use during a party, such as pretty glasses, a pretty cake stand or decorative serving bowls.
26Think of items to decorate the table.
27Beautiful cloth coverings for the table or napkins make nice gifts.
28Knowing their favorite colors may help.
29Beautiful candles to light during dinner are also nice. And fun games are a good choice too.
30Some of the best places to find unusual gifts are gift shops at museums.
31In a museum gift shop, you can find interesting gifts that you probably cannot find in other stores.
32Of course, you can find art books and posters.
33But you can also find bags, coffee cups or jigsaw puzzles all decorated with famous works of art.
34Again, knowing what your friend likes is important.
35If someone likes to grow things in a garden, you are lucky.
36There are so many things you can give them as gifts.
37Gardening tools are always useful.
38So are colorful containers. These can be used by outdoor and indoor gardeners.
39A birdfeeder is an unusual present.
40And who wouldn't want more birds?
41Also, decorations for the garden or yard can be great gifts.
42Again, make sure you know the person's style.
43If not, your gift of a garden gnome drinking a beer in his gnome underwear might be re-gifted.
44There are many ways to say, "Thank you." or "I've missed you." or "Well, wasn't that a crazy year!"
45But probably the most important gift you can give is just being there ... in person.
46I'm Anna Matteo.
1In many places around the world, the coronavirus pandemic is still affecting people's lives. With lockdowns still in place, friends are still not able to gather as they once did. 2However, in other places, especially where vaccination numbers are high, things are starting to return to normal. And "normal" often means simply being able to spend time in person with the people in your life for the first time in well over a year. 3With parties and get-togethers starting up again, it is a great time to bring a gift. 4But selecting a great gift for someone takes thought. Knowing their tastes and hobbies is important. What do they like to do for fun? During the pandemic, a person may have started a new hobby, like painting. That is important to know. 5When I asked friends on social media what they would most like to get as a post-pandemic gift, the top answers were travel, live music shows and hugs from friends and family. 6Writer Katie Workman for the Associated Press gives her ideas in a recent story. We share them with you here. 7For the food lover 8With restaurants closed, many people taught themselves to cook. Luckily for the gift-giver, there are many things you can give to those who love to cook. 9If you are from or visit an area that is known for a certain type of food, bring that. In the United States, Workman says that might mean cheese from Wisconsin, maple syrup from Vermont, peaches from Georgia or peanuts from South Carolina. I would add oranges from Florida or salmon from Alaska. 10Other gifts could be special oils or sauces to cook with. Fresh herb plants for the kitchen make a good gift, too. Cookbooks and cooking tools can also be thoughtful gifts for friends who love to cook. Or you may want to get them a fun apron to protect their clothing while cooking. 11For the entertainer 12People who often entertain, or give parties, are easy to buy for. Any gift that adds to fun entertaining is a good idea. Bringing flowers as a gift or a bottle of nice wine will never be a bad idea. But after more than a year you may want to think of something extra special as a gift. You can give them items they can use during a party, such as pretty glasses, a pretty cake stand or decorative serving bowls. 13Think of items to decorate the table. Beautiful cloth coverings for the table or napkins make nice gifts. Knowing their favorite colors may help. Beautiful candles to light during dinner are also nice. And fun games are a good choice too. 14For the art lover 15Some of the best places to find unusual gifts are gift shops at museums. In a museum gift shop, you can find interesting gifts that you probably cannot find in other stores. 16Of course, you can find art books and posters. But you can also find bags, coffee cups or jigsaw puzzles all decorated with famous works of art. Again, knowing what your friend likes is important. 17For the gardener or plant lover 18If someone likes to grow things in a garden, you are lucky. There are so many things you can give them as gifts. Gardening tools are always useful. So are colorful containers. These can be used by outdoor and indoor gardeners. 19A birdfeeder is an unusual present. And who wouldn't want more birds? Also, decorations for the garden or yard can be great gifts. Again, make sure you know the person's style. If not, your gift of a garden gnome drinking a beer in his gnome underwear might be re-gifted. 20There are many ways to say, "Thank you." or "I've missed you." or "Well, wasn't that a crazy year!" But probably the most important gift you can give is just being there ... in person. 21I'm Anna Matteo. 22Katie Workman reported this story for The Associated Press. Anna Matteo adapted it for VOA Learning English. Susan Shand was the editor. 23____________________________________________________________ 24Words in This Story 25hobby - n. an interest or activity engaged in for pleasure 26pretty - adj. attractive to look at usually in a simple or delicate way 27decorative - adj. used to make something more attractive : used for decoration decorate - v. to make (something) more attractive usually by putting something on it 28napkin - n. a piece of material (such as cloth or paper) used at table to wipe the lips or fingers and protect the clothes 29poster - n. a usually large printed sheet that often contains pictures and is posted in a public place (as to promote something) 30puzzle - n. a puzzle consisting of small irregularly cut pieces that are to be fitted together to form a picture 31garden - n. an area of ground where plants (such as flowers or vegetables) are grown 32gnome - n. an imaginary dwarf believed to live inside the earth and guard treasure 33hug - n./v. to put your arms around someone especially as a way of showing love or friendship