It’s that holiday season again, which means (hot) winter nights, Christmas cookies, family reunions and presents!
While most of us can pride ourselves on being excellent gift receivers, few of us can consider ourselves phenomenal gift givers. Now that you’re an adult, Christmas is no longer about being the center of attention; it’s about sharing the love. Your parents probably expect better gifts than “I got you a hug this year!” Sorry Mom and Dad, I really believed you thought it was cute. Whether it’s for friends or relatives, gifts can always be a struggle.
If you need some tips to save some cash and beat your other siblings out for “best child of the year” award then go with the picture present. It’s the picture of you, or you and your siblings, or you and your parents and it works as an awesome gift for any relative. Grandparents, aunts, uncles and even Mom and Dad could always use a family photo. For some god-known reason relatives are constantly asking us for pictures of ourselves to keep them updated, even though I’m pretty sure even my grandparents have Facebook. This is a simple way to spend little cash on a gift, but still appear thoughtful. Go to Kinkos and print out a nice photo. If you feel like going above and beyond, decorate your own frame. But if your crafting skills look like an 8-year-old made it, then either Mod Podge it or leave it blank.
Gift cards are among some of the most popular gifts in the holiday season. However, if you’re going to take this route whether it’d be for friends or family make sure it is a thoughtful gift card. Notice how I said “thoughtful.” Don’t just get someone any gift card to call it a gift. Make it special. If you just give someone any card it basically says, “Go find your own present.” Unless you get them something that specifically shows that you know them. For example, my best friend is a total book nerd. Nothing makes her happier than buying her own books, but she only has a few in her precious collection. I got her a Barnes and Noble gift card and I’m pretty sure she was more excited about that than her birthday party. It just shows you know the person, while letting them have the freedom to get something they’ll enjoy.
Another popular, inexpensive present is the authentic one. Getting an old relative a record would be like getting me a Britney Spears CD for Christmas (not well received), but,one of your friends might love a remastered record of The Red Hot Chili Peppers or Coldplay. If they aren’t big music lovers, try going thrifting to find something cute. Maybe an old tea set or an ugly Christmas sweater to keep the merriment going! Vintage is always in for some reason, so take advantage of the thrift stores around you and pick out something cool. You never know what you’ll find for a good price.
Books are a great gift for anyone…even for people who don’t like to read. One year I found my brother a “Cooking With Beer” book listing tons of recipes incorporating beer. Alcohol and food, what’s not to love? Books have a reputation for being educational and can provide discussion material for the next time you’ll all see each other. As far as a gift goes though, they’re personal and intriguing. It’s also a nice way to show your relatives how sophisticated you are now that you’re a college pupil. Note: if you’re going for the sophisticated route, don’t buy them “Cooking With Beer.”
Significant others are always difficult to shop for. How much do you spend? How long have you been together? What will they get? What should you get? It gets complicated. I’ve always thought the best route is to go with something from the heart. I can’t count the amount of heartfelt things I’ve made for people, but they’re always cherished…at least in my mind. Something that’s cute and romantic, but small enough that no one has to know you are a huge sap. I usually go with something handmade that contains inside jokes. The idea is to show you know them, not to impress them. Note: If just started dating and you don’t know them at all, then get them a card and chocolates and call it a day.
The best gift I ever got was a basket filled with my favorite things. Think Oprah, minus the car giveaway. It had everything from my favorite foods to my favorite flowers. I didn’t love it because it was an expensive, ridiculous gift; I loved it because it showed me that the giver knew me more than anyone.
So toss out your “Free hug” post-it note and get creative. Find that something your loves will love and spin it into a gift. Come Christmas morning they wont be disappointed.
Photo courtesy of: Antidoteforthecommonplace
