The immense pressure put on the general population when it comes to gift-giving is unreal. If you're like me, the pressure is increased because you place a lot of value on what people can use your gifts for and what they will think of the gifts. If you're even more like me, you also can't afford to get everyone the most useful and thoughtful gifts either. So I've come up with a list of ideas for you to use when gifts just aren't going to happen.
1. Give them a "Quality Time" coupon.
This is one of those classic gifts that people tend to love. Parents and significant others are a good target audience for this gift. The idea is that you give them a "coupon" that they can "cash in" at any time to spend time with you. There can also be specifics like "Go to the movies" or "Eat at our favorite restaurant" so that nobody has to come up with any new ideas.
2. Sign up for a fun class that you would both enjoy.
My mom loves these things. For example, we are going to Painting with a Twist when I get back home so we can learn some painting techniques while also painting a cute and/or festive design on a canvas. There are also some places that will let you bring your own booze which is always a good time. Painting while tipsy? Best idea ever. Anyways, this can also look like some kind of cooking or crafting class. They're happening all over your city, you just may have to do a little digging to find them.
3. Take them on a fun weekend trip in driving distance.
It is always fun to get out of town for a little while! This idea is great if plane tickets are too expensive, but you still have the urge to travel and explore. Plan a weekend you both have available and go somewhere you've never been (or even somewhere you've been several times). Look up if there are local events where you're going and really try to get involved in some of those while you're there. Some really fun opportunities like concerts or festivals are always great things to do in a different city.
4. Offer to clean their house one day.
This one is for your friends that may be parents or just really busy. It happens to a lot of us! We get so busy that cleaning comes last on our list. If you have some free time and want to serve someone well, offer to clean their house or do their laundry. This will lift a huge burden off of your friend and give them some peace in their hectic life. This is a great act of service and loving someone!
5. Give them seed packets and a few mason jars or pots to grow some herbs/flowers/vegetables/fruit/etc.
This involves some money, but if you have a friend with a green thumb (or the desire for one), this gift would be thoughtful and something you could do together. You could even make a competition to see who can get the better looking herbs/flowers/vegetables/fruit/etc. after a certain amount of growing time. This could also be great for friends that live far away. If you both are growing something, you can send progress pics and have that as a way of connecting.
6. Make holiday hot chocolate ingredient mason jars to give out to people.
These are so much fun to both make and receive. These also take a small amount of money, but the ingredients go a long way and you can make so many gifts from one batch. This recipe includes crushed up candy canes!
7. Share several of your favorite recipes with them in a creative way.
I love recipes! I have kept track of ones that have turned out well and shared them with friends. One of my favorite ways to do this is with the large index cards (5x8). I will write the name of the recipe in a fun, colorful way and then write the details on the rest of the notecard. I have put several on a binder ring and given it to someone. You can also get a small scrapbook or photo album that fits the index cards you get. There are plenty of creative ways to do this, so get your juices flowing and get those recipes going!
8. Make them a photo album of your life with that person.
I did this for my best friend one year and got quotes from many people that know her about what they loved about her and she cried when I gave it to her. She still has it! This can be so special and show your friends that you truly care about them and want them to know that they are loved. Pictures are worth 1,000 words, right? Imagine an entire photo album full of pictures that represent some of the most special people and moments in someone's life! Incredible.
9. Find out what free events are going on in your area and bring them to those.
Waco has SO MANY free and low-cost events. The weekends are never boring because of all that is always going on. Act Locally Waco has a calendar they send out every week and one up on their website that outlines all of the events going on in the area. I look at it every week to see if there are any fun events going on. Every city's official tourism website should have some kind of calendar that shows what events are going on. You can also use Facebook as a tool to figure out what events are going on in an area.
10. Write them a heartfelt note/card instead of letting the generic ones do the work.
This is my absolute favorite gift to give. I love to write. I am also really bad at verbally expressing my heartfelt feelings for someone (I am so awkward). Writing those words, however, comes much more easily to me. Writing someone a personalized note/card is special and it is something they can keep for a long time. I go back and read notes that people have written me when I feel discouraged and need some good words to pump me up. Even if writing isn't your thing, consider at least writing a sentence or two saying why you are thankful for that person. Those words will go a very long way.
Going to the cinema alone is good for your mental health, says science
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