Gifts from the Heart
It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.
Many of the major magazines are publishing gift guides with lots of smart ideas to make holiday shopping easy. That’s fine for presents that cost money but here are some ideas for gifts from the heart. They will not require much expense. They will, however, require some time, thought and effort. For example, as a child I labored over a potholder to give to my Mom. Thirty plus years later she still uses it and claims it’s her favorite. The pastel colors boldly clash with her red kitchen but it’s precious to her because it was from me and from the heart. Certainly the following gift ideas will be appreciated by the receivers because they are all personal and promote connectedness. All of the gifts can be put together with help from children.
Picture Collage
Have you ever laid out a puzzle and had your family contribute to putting together over time? A picture collage could be done in the same way. Use a single sheet of thicker paper stock or cardboard as a base. Have a stack of your best family or friend photographs from the year printed. Lay out magazines to use photographs and pictures as well for background. Ideally, pick ones from each season. Place them on a table with glue sticks and scissors. Recruit your family to contribute. Cut and paste! Place in a nice frame with all family members’ signatures and the year on the bottom or back and it’s ready for wrapping. This is a terrific gift for any family member or friend.
Treasure Box
Purchase or make a beautiful box big enough to hold a pack of pencils. Type or write on fortune cookie-sized strips of paper all of the things you love about the person for whom you are creating the gift. For example you might write “You have a wonderful smile.” Use one strip of paper per affirmation and fill the box. This was made for me once and has become a true treasure that is a go-to when I need a spirit lift.
Interview
Your children grow and change so quickly, it’s easy to forget how they sounded, looked and talked at various ages and stages. Do a recorded interview with your child. Prepare questions in advance like “What do you want to be when you grow up?” “Who is your favorite superhero?” “How do you think the stars got up in the sky?” “What is your favorite song?” If your child will squirm or not participate with video, then just use an audio recorder. This will be a treasured gift for a partner parent or grandparent.
Family Story
In every family there are moments and situations that are recounted because they are so familiar, funny or signify an important turning point. Why not record these stories for your family on paper? Photo stores/sites offer easy ways to make books with photographs and text. Or you can utilize good old construction paper, cut and paste photographs and use your own creativity. Write the story in a way that can be read aloud.
Heirloom
Do you have any dishes, clothing, trinkets, stationary or other items (it doesn’t have to be expensive jewelry or the good silver) that was given to you by your mother or father or grandparent? Is it something that the next generation could enjoy now instead of inheriting when you are gone? Tie a beautiful notecard to it with a ribbon in which you write down the history of the item. If you can find out, include the date it was bought, where it was from, who used it and how. That object may be currently in a forgotten drawer in your home but could serve as a real and usable treasure for the gift receiver and a regular reminder of you.
Parent’s Night Out
Plan a full evening out with your partner. Buy gift cards, pick a date and make reservations (if needed) to ensure that all details are pre-planned and part of the gift. Arrange for a grandparent, friend or sitter to watch the children. Be sure to include plans for dinner and some kind of activity. Ice skating? Bowling? Gallery hopping? If you choose a movie or listening to live music, be sure that a portion of the evening gives you the opportunity to really talk and connect.
Think about the most favorite or precious gifts you remember. Maybe it had to do with receiving something expensive that you had longed for. But often times the gifts we love that have lasting value for us have to do with the investment of the giver in the thoughtfulness and love put into the gift. No matter which holiday you celebrate this season, consider giving a gift of the heart.
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GOOD!GOOD!GOOD! Love,Maaaaaa
On Nov 30, 2012, at 7:34 AM, confident parents confident kids <comment-reply@wordpress.com>
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