Had it up to here with holiday shopping? Running out of ideas on what to get everyone on your list? Maybe it’s time to let the imaginative side of your brain take over.
It’s not always the biggest, most expensive things that make great presents. Oftentimes, it’s the gifts that show you’ve put some thought into choosing them that are cherished the most. So to give you a jump start, here are some ideas to get your creative juices flowing:
- Pick up a rescue pet – Maybe there’s someone you know who would enjoy the companionship of a dog or cat or something more exotic, like a pot-bellied pig. With thousands of animals in rescue shelters waiting to be adopted, this is a chance to bring joy to those both two-legged and four-legged.
- Brighten their season – Not everyone enjoys putting up holiday lights and decorations, especially if there’s a lot to display. Offering to do the work for a neighbor or friend could be the perfect holiday gift. Besides, you could use the exercise!
- Whip up a tasty treat – Who doesn’t like homemade brownies or sprinkle-coated sugar cookies delivered to their door? Food made with tender loving care is always a winning recipe for gift-giving. And if you’re extra ambitious, you could offer to whip up a gourmet meal for the holidays or sometime in the future.
- Give to a worthy cause – If your buddy Bill or your beloved Aunt Bertha have a charity or other non-profit group that’s close to their heart, think about donating time or money to that organization in their name. Who knows – it may even open up your heart to getting more involved in the community.
- Get a little crafty – Rekindle fond memories by creating a photo collage for your best friend. Put together a holiday wreath to hang on a neighbor’s door. A quick search on the Internet should turn up hundreds of other craft-related ideas that you can convert into personable gifts.
- Build a basket of cheer – This is great for the wine connoisseur, the birdwatcher, the beach bum, the movie buff, or the gourmet cook. Gather together items that connect with a person’s passion, arrange them in a wicker basket, tie on a big bow and voila! You have a gift that will keep on giving.
- Serve up a staycation – Parents should seriously consider sharing this idea with their kids. The premise is simple – the kids do everything around the house for a weekend, just as if their parents are staying in a hotel. That means the laundry, the dishes, and all those other pesky chores that youngsters take for granted will be done by the grownups. Oh, and don’t forget breakfast in bed and dinner by candlelight!
We hope this helps get your gift-giving gears spinning in a creative direction!