Five Gift Giving Ideas for Any Time of Year
1. Make it a surprise. Don’t just give gifts on holidays, birthdays, or anniversaries. Surprise your husband with a framed portrait of you and the kids…just because. Or buy your sister a bag of her favorite coffee the next time you’re getting a mocha. Sometimes when gifts are given “out of the blue” they have the most impact.
2. Make it homemade. Who doesn’t love something that’s been made just for them? Putting time, thought, and effort into making a gift can say a lot to the person you’re giving it to. And sites like this can provide some easy homemade gift ideas.
3. Make it personal. Personalization can add an extra touch to any item, whether it’s a blanket, a jewelry box, or a bracelet. You can find a variety of personalized products at places like this.
4. Make it unique. Everybody loves the not-so-common gift. And sites like this have some really fun and unique ideas.
5. Make a difference. Give a gift that helps others. One of the most meaningful gifts I ever got was from a friend who donated a goat to a family in Africa in my name. Visit organizations like this to see how you can honor someone in your life by giving donations to needy families around the world in their name.
And when you make a difference, not only in the life of someone you love, but in the lives of others, that may end up being the greatest gift of all.
*originally written for / posted at Beautiful Fabulous online magazine.
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Since the holidays are right around the corner (can you believe it?), let’s share some ideas…
Do you have any fun suggestions for giving?
What’s the most memorable gift you’ve been given?
p.s. I mentioned last week that I’m launching something around here soon. Just a quick update that I’m working on the final details and should have it ready in a week or two. I’m really looking forward to it!
cute post – I am always trying to figure out a unique gift – Once I purchased these recipee keeper books and then typed up many recipees of my mothers and grandmothers and gave them to family members – it was a fun project!
Hey your website looks different – I like it,
These are great ideas. One thing I like to do for my kids is to write them a note or buy a cute card and leave it in their bedroom with a candy bar. It isn’t a gift that “lasts” *grin* but they love receiving it!Have a great day!
What a great post. I love homemade gifts.And surprises.Who doesn’t?
Great ideas!
Great post! Love the ideas. And, I especially love this reminder as we rapidly approach Christmas. I am striving this year to begin early so that each gift will be special…. not rushed and purchased or made quickly out of necessity. As for a great gift I’ve received…. At the start of school this year, a neighbor anonymously left a bag for each of my children on our porch. In each one was a Webkinz and a poem printed on cute paper about being their friend as they began this new journy into the new school year. It was such a treasure to them!Also, here is a link to a fun post on this subject that I think is a great idea~ https://smellingcoffeetoday.blogspot.com/2008/09/first-frappuccino-fun-with-amy.html#linksHave a super day!
What a fabulous list of ideas :) I love the last 2. Recently I gave my best friend a homemade gift. She love the number 8. So I hand painted a wooden jewelry box (from Michaels) and brushed the number “8” in several different languages on it.
I want to say that I especially agree with making something personalized. I have been so into that lately: monogramming, using vinyl letters or rub-ons to create something personal for someone. So easy and it just takes a gift to the next level. Great idea!Carrie
This year I am giving my family my time. Insteading of buying gifts and shipping them north we are going to drive up for Christmas. The gas prices have kept us from visiting for over a year so I am hoping this is a good enough gift for them… what do you think?
Great tips! I really liked that website for unique gifts! The most memorable gift I was given was a flower because it was given to me as a surprise!
Sidney,I think they’ll appreciate that more than any gift! And everyone else…I love the great ideas!
I try to make every gift I give be special and personal to the gift receiver. Since I take so many pictures, the grnadparents always get some personalized photo book or montage or collage or something with grandkids. FOr kids under 2 I buy/make a gift for the parent. Something to relax them or make them smile. The kids never know the difference!And when all else fails for me, I but something the talks about, is about, resembles, signifies Jesus.Praise the Lord!Many blessings-Amanda
My sister was given earrings today for no reason from her boss! (The boss is a married woman, nothing strange going on here. Ha!) Anyway, it made my sister’s day.I like the new look. Can’t wait to see what you have going on.
I love your post on gifts…homemade and personal are the key to me!My girlfriend made me stationary that really reflects me and my “likes”…it meant a lot! -Sandy Toesp.s. I do like jewerly, though!
Congratulations on your publishing position. Fun stuff!
We do Secret Sisters at my Weekday School. Thanks for some fun, unique, new ideas to do for mine!
Hi Genny,Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment. I came over to check your blog out and love it. I had to laugh that you love coffee so much. My parents are always saying it’s the official drink in heaven! I’m putting you on my google reader!Robin~♥
I love using a theme, and grouping together smaller, less-expensive items. So say you have a movie lover – a pretty bowl for popcorn, a package of microwave popcorn and/or theater-type candy, and a movie.And I also love the homemade gifts and the no-special-occasion gifts!
Hi Genny, I saw your comment over at THAT Family. I cant wait to hear what you are planning! Im sure you can count me in! Encouraging others towards good deeds is an awesome pursuit. Good Job! (Eph 4:12-13)
I love gifts with a personalized touch! These are all great ideas. Thanks for the prayers. I missed all of you.
Great post! Lots of great ideas. And I can’t wait to see what new thing you are launching!
Genny, Of course I don’t mind! THanks for asking first though, I appreciate it! Mandy
What a wonderful post! Thank you for sharing! I am always looking for more ideas.
Homemade gifts are always fun! And, no surprise – I do love food gifts!For Christmas, we always get my brothers-in-law their favorite coffee beans and pair it with my homemade biscotti.I send the grandparents photobooks made online of my son (they LOVE that) and a themed food basket. Last year was breakfast – sent coffee, tea, homemade pancake mix (2 kinds), homemade granola, and pure maple syrup. They really enjoyed it!Thanks for all the great resources!Can’t wait to see what you’ve got going on!
Genny,I ran across your blog the other day after you posted a comment over at trisacharm…I love your blog and have been back several times. I loved this post and wanted to add my 2 cents on gift giving ideas along the lines of World Vision as you noted in your post.There is an organization that has become very dear to my heart, called Reeces Rainbow which can be found at http://www.reecesrainbow.com or you can also access it through my blog at https://raisingreid.blogspot.com. Reeces Rainbow is an international Down syndrome orphan ministry. Through this ministry individuals may sponsor a child waiting adoption (grants are started to help offset the cost for adoptive families). Individuals may also purchase items of need at the orphanages…like chairs, changing tables, even a washer or dryer or contribute money for new carpet…whatever the need is. If an item is purchased for the orphanage in honor of someone as a gift, like your friend did for you through World Vision, a card will be sent out to that person letting them know what was purchased in their honor.This ministry is very dear to me because our youngest son has Down syndrome, he is 21 months old…and it breaks my heart to see his “little friends” cast aside because of their extra chromosome. The acceptance of Down syndrome is so different in other countries and mothers are basically forced to give these babies up for adoption…if only they knew how loving, and amazing, and capable they are!! My family now has a new passion to help these sweet ones “find a forever family” and help make things easier while they are waiting! :)
Great ideas–gift giving is one of my love languages–and it’s nice to see it validated here, along with some great ideas!Blessings!
Love this post. Thanks for the ideas – I always need them. I love getting and giving picture. I know not very creative but one of my favs.
I always hate figuring out what to get people. Here’s my challenge this year – to listen to them well enough that I can get them something meaningful that lets them know I care about who they are. (And that includes my husband, who is so not happy with shirts and any other “safe, standard” gift.)
What a great post. I love home-made gifts.