Remember those homemade coupon booklets that we made for our parents when we were little? “Good for one car wash” or “I will vacuum the house” or “Redeem for one night of washed dishes”, and we didn’t have Etsy or even free printables from which to craft these paper promises.
Do you also remember our parents’ faces as they read those coupons? Their knowing, tender, smiles at our desire to please them? They didn’t expect the booklet nor the promised labor to be perfect. What touched their hearts was the fact that we took the time to think of something that they might like, and to sacrifice our own time to be of service to them. Their delight in our homemade gift was evident, and that made the time and effort worthwhile.
This holiday season,rather than scrolling Amazon or pacing the aisles at Target, consider the following gifts for every person on your gift list. They are simple, creative, and made with your own hands. They are earth-friendly, never spoil, and reflect the recipients’ impact on your life far greater than anything, ANYTHING that can be purchased. And that makes for the most special and cherished of gifts.
Here they are: two gift ideas, just in time for the Holidays, that carry the uniqueness of your individuality. Whether it is for a loved one or a loving Caregiver, these gifts, and you as the giver, will be appreciated and fondly remembered.
1. A Heartfelt Note of Appreciation. Nothing says “You’ve made an indelible impact in my life” like the commitment, vulnerability, and sincerity of penning (rather than typing) your feelings on paper to another person. This is the most time-consuming and mentally laborious gift, and that’s what makes it so valuable. Detail the qualities that you appreciate, describe and reminisce about a memorable event, and pour out your feelings for this person.
2. A Gift of Time & Talent. What are you good at that you can share with others? Perhaps you’re good at organizing, or you know how to fix computers, or you’re handy with home repairs, or can hem pants, or you make mouth-watering lumpia. Craft a simple coupon with your talent and watch your recipient’s eyes light up! Note: Make sure your gift matches the recipient- not everyone loves lumpia.
When I was 16, my best friend Margie gifted me with a homemade mixed tape for Christmas. Not the “bedroom tape” kind- where you wait by the radio for the first few notes of your favorite song to play, then to run to the boom box to press the “Play” and “Record” buttons at the same time. No, Margie had to organize and change out all the 78s on the record player, spacing the songs out two seconds apart on the tape deck. Talking Heads, Depeche Mode, B-52s, INXS, The English Beat, etc etc. I loved that tape and listened to it until it broke.
Other Gift Ideas (not free, but not expensive either)
Gifting doesn’t have to be expensive or elaborate to convey our sentiments. Below are 6 gift ideas that are easy on your wallet and our landfills.
1. A Pothos plant. Cleans the air, brightens any room, improves the mood, and is easy to care for.
2. Movie Tickets: It’s social, entertaining, you can dress up or down, and you don’t have to “clean the house for guests”.
3. Subscription: Amazon Prime, Netflix, Audible, The New York Times, The New Yorker . . . customized to your designee’s interests. Especially now, independent journalism needs our support!
4. Experiences: Museum, Botanical Garden, Performing Arts, Spa Day, etc. Make sure to get two passes and hint that you would LOVE to go with!
5. Digital Photo Album: This is something that you can create with your recipient! Sit together, reminisce about the pictures, and select clear, vibrant, and flattering pictures for a digital or printed album. You can also upload your album to a digital frame for easy display anywhere you can find an outlet.
Because Time is our most precious, fleeting, and non-renewable resource, it is, in my opinion, the most valuable gift, no matter the format. Investing our time to bring joy to others- whether we’re volunteering, cooking, cleaning, or creating, is a beautiful way to demonstrate love- an offering that lingers far longer than anything purchased in a store.
And if the Season has you wishing for a calmer home to welcome guests- or you’re ready to sort through and simplify your holiday décor before putting them away for another year- I’d be happy to assist you! Consider booking a session to tidy, purge, or refresh your spaces so you can step into the Holidays (and the year to come) with more ease, more joy, and a little more room to breathe.