With the few weeks left before Christmas, searching for the right gift for different family members and friends could be a real source of panic and stress. But fret not! In this day and age, there are plenty of options where we can get our presents — and they don’t always have to come from the mall or online stores.
Whatever you decide to give to your loved ones this Christmas, the important thing to remember is that as long as it comes from the heart, it will be appreciated. Putting a spin on gifts could also help kids understand that presents don’t only equate to expensive items or material things. The real essence of gift-giving is making other people feel happy and treasured.
Check out the different ideas you can turn to for gift-giving as the holidays near:
DIY-ing a gift can be one of the sincerest ways to show love and affection for family and friends. A handmade gift can also stand out because of the time and attention you poured into making it, plus you can be sure that it’s unique and possibly won’t have a carbon copy in stores.
Before diving into Youtube and searching videos for tutorials, it’s important to think of handmade gifts that are either practical or enjoyable for the receiver. The beauty with making a handmade gift is how you can customize it depending on the person you’re going to give it to. For a family member who loves to document and look at pictures, why not create a scrapbook filled with stories of special events? Or how about making hot cocoa bombs for a friend who loves chocolate? Just the journey of making a one-of-a-kind gift will be a special story in itself for you and your loved one, so just let your creativity run and have fun.
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There are treasures hidden in second-hand shops, so use them to your advantage. From limited-edition books to luxury bags, there’s likely to be a nice preloved item that would make a great gift for any type of person in your life.
What’s good about everything being online nowadays is that stuff is easier to find and it’s more convenient to communicate with shop owners. Make sure to check the overall condition of the item and don’t hesitate to ask questions from the seller. Here are some online stores you can check out for your gift hunting!
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Sometimes the best gifts are the ones that make it to our core memories.
Gifts don’t have to be tangible to be appreciated. There’s always the gift of being together for a memorable experience. Sponsor a quick getaway for your family or buy tickets to see a show. Or how about a fun day at an amusement park, a farm, or the zoo? Just make sure to consider that the activity is appropriate to the receiver’s age so that they really enjoy the experience.
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One of my uncles did this during his birthday and I really thought it was a brilliant idea. Instead of gifts, he gave us instructions on how to make monetary donations to his chosen charitable institutions.
For this Christmas, this could be an easy gift that could translate to a heartfelt gesture. For the people you know who have causes close to their heart, reach out to them and ask them if they would prefer something material or if they would rather appreciate a donation to their preferred organizations. In the Philippines alone there are plenty of organizations which focus on different causes, from animal welfare, to education, environmental efforts, and the list goes on. By dedicating a donation as a gift, you won’t only make you and your loved one happy, but it would also be appreciated by everyone who works or volunteers for that organization.
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This list is not only handy for Christmas, but also whenever you want to make another person feel special. As you list down and prepare your gifts for your loved ones, let your kids observe you and your thought process so that when the time comes, they’ll not only know how to look for the best gift, but also know the real meaning of gift-giving.