So.  Gift cards don't count as no-stuff.  That's just delayed stuff.  (Unless you're sure that the recipient will never use it, and then it will be no-stuff.  But that's a weird non-gift.)  Some of these ideas involve stuff but I will explain below.  In reverse expensive order:

1.  Buy your lonely bachelor friend cooking classes.  I'm sure lots of girls take them, and he'll learn skills that will actually impress the ladies.  My sister took some with a friend at Camaje in SoHo and had a great experience.  They're pricey - $95 - $350 for 1-3 lessons, but all include a very tasty meal at the end.  Local restaurants and community colleges may offer the same in other communities.

2.  Buy art.  OK, so this is stuff.  But it is not mass-produced, commonly-available stuff made in Cambodia.  This is a little iffy as far as someone keeping the art for a long time: you definitely run the risk of getting something that will just sit around unappreciated, but if you know someone's taste well, you can buy something that your friend or family member will enjoy forever.  At its best, when you buy art, you can chat with the artist and find out what she was thinking about when she made it; why she likes the particular imagery; how she works with the materials...and on and on.  You could buy a painting or a sculpture in a gallery, or you could go to a local craft fair and see what they have there.  For example, chashama, an organization that has supported my work, is having a holiday art sale:

"CHASHAMA & LA SUPERETTE join forces this season to provide an alternative to the traditional commercial shopping with CHA HOLIDAY -- an affordable holiday art sale at chashama's Times Square gallery. Showcasing original, homemade gifts (ranging from $1 - $100; most are between $20-$40), artwork will include recycled accessories, homemade clothes, wall art, stocking stuffers & much more. Throughout the month of December, we will also be hosting live performances, video screenings & craft workshops by some of New York's finest artists at our 44th St. gallery. 

chashama's Times Square gallery will be open to the public Thursday through Sunday, 2 – 8 pm, for the salon-style art sale. Come find a truly original gift & support the arts in New York!

chashama Times Square, 112 West 44th Street Gallery"

Even if you want to buy someone jewelry, see if you can find a one-of-a-kind piece by a local artist.  The tables in SoHo and Williamsburg are good places to start here in NYC.  If you want to buy functional stuff, like dishes, buy them from a place like Bodanna, which teaches high school dropouts how to make ceramics and work in retail.

3.  Both my mom and my sister like to solve jigsaw puzzles.  I cannot think of a worse way to spend time, but I understand a lot of people like them.  Who needs to own them, though?  Sign your mom and sis up for Elms Hand-Cut Puzzle Rental Club: for $75 they will become lifelong members and get the first 299-piece puzzle free.  Additional puzzles cost $40 and up; you get to keep them for three months before you have to mail them back.

4.  My dad likes music.  I buy him tickets to a random concert taking place in his small city while I'm visiting so we can go together.  The music is fun, of course, but it's more fun to go out with my dad and just hang out together.  So we don't really care if it's a lame band - all the more to talk about.  You can find upcoming shows on Pollstar, which features concerts happening around the US; lots of cities have websites and culture papers with more detailed info.   This works for lots of things: basketball games, dance performances, horse races, soccer matches, even movies - but I've found that it works better with events that require live presence (you go into less of a stupor).  And the prices range from free to very expensive, whatever fits your budget.  Keep your expectations low and you'll have a great time.

5.  Do you have something your friend really loves?  A mug, a sweater, a framed print? Give it to them.  It costs you nothing.  It will make him/her very happy.

"...After all, when you give someone a present, you want to do so out of love, you want to give your friend a piece of yourself, a piece of your heart!" 

--M. Kundera