My husband and I try to give experiences for birthdays - not just traditional gifts. However, we don't usually just get a gift certificate we actually do the experiences on the day. For example, one year, he took me to the M's game and made an appointment for me to get a massage - he didn't just get me a massage gift certificate.
I took him on the Rides the Duck tour in Seattle and took him hiking. Both things he loved.
Take a tour in your city, go to a sporting event, take a day trip to somewhere you've never been or somewhere you have been a million times and do something new. Do some research into the "experience" to make it more fun and meaningful. Maybe there is a great Italian place and they love Italian food.
Enjoy the experience - these are usually better than traditional gifts!
Jen
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Saturday, December 25, 2010
The Fun is in the Wrapping!
My in-laws are very sneaky wrappers. Just when you think you have unwrapped your present and found a box of photo coasters, you still need to look farther. My sister-in-law forgot and almost missed out on some cash and postage stamps that were wrapped around the coasters.
It can be a lot of fun just opening the present. I found a present from my husband in my work bag. I had to unwrap about 5 layers of wrapping just to get to the M&Ms inside a jar. Sometimes you have to hunt through a box of tissue paper and bags to find a special treasure inside.
My two favorites are ones from my husband. He put my wedding band inside a tiny bag and slipped it into a bag of M&Ms. Then taped the bag up. When I opened the bag to enjoy, out popped the ring!
The other favorite is when we bought real casino chips for his mom. He stacked them, put two fake poker chips on each end of the stack and wrapped them tightly in saran wrap. It looked like a new roll of store-bought poker chips. She was completely fooled.
Sometimes, the present doesn't have to be "the best ever," put some thought into how it is wrapped and the mediocre present can be the one they talk about most.
Be creative!
Jen
It can be a lot of fun just opening the present. I found a present from my husband in my work bag. I had to unwrap about 5 layers of wrapping just to get to the M&Ms inside a jar. Sometimes you have to hunt through a box of tissue paper and bags to find a special treasure inside.
My two favorites are ones from my husband. He put my wedding band inside a tiny bag and slipped it into a bag of M&Ms. Then taped the bag up. When I opened the bag to enjoy, out popped the ring!
The other favorite is when we bought real casino chips for his mom. He stacked them, put two fake poker chips on each end of the stack and wrapped them tightly in saran wrap. It looked like a new roll of store-bought poker chips. She was completely fooled.
Sometimes, the present doesn't have to be "the best ever," put some thought into how it is wrapped and the mediocre present can be the one they talk about most.
Be creative!
Jen
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Sentimental But Not Emotional Gifts
Getting sentimental but not emotional gifts that will make people cry are difficult. What I mean is something that is important to you, and another person will like, but won't necessarily make them cry.
For example, one of my favorite things about going to my Grandma's was the cookie jar was always full. Now that mom is a Grandma and my nephew is old enough to enjoy cookies, I figured she needed one. My mom also LOVES Santas, so I got her a Santa cookie jar and, of course, some cookies.
I see this as a sentimental gift, something that is important to me, but she didn't get overly emotional. She loved the gift and so does my nephew!
Jen
For example, one of my favorite things about going to my Grandma's was the cookie jar was always full. Now that mom is a Grandma and my nephew is old enough to enjoy cookies, I figured she needed one. My mom also LOVES Santas, so I got her a Santa cookie jar and, of course, some cookies.
I see this as a sentimental gift, something that is important to me, but she didn't get overly emotional. She loved the gift and so does my nephew!
Jen
"Baskets"
One of my favorite ways to give gifts is in baskets/boxes/care packages. You don't have to use an actual basket. Be creative. If you are giving popcorn bowls, use the largest bowl as the "basket." Fill it with a box of popcorn (obviously) and a movie or two.
One of the great things about these baskets are you can spend as little or as much as you want. A friend recently gave my husband and I a wedding present. Instead of a traditional present, she combined the wedding gift and the Christmas season together. A photo box was the base. She added a couple of mugs, kitchen towls, a couple of packets (not a whole box) of cider, hot cocoa, sugar cookie mix....She easily spent $75.
However, say you only wanted to spend $25-30. Use the mugs as a base, stuff each with a thin kitchen towl, a packet of cider and/or hot cocoa (almost everyone already has a box). Use a gift bag as wrap. You might even have some money left over if you find inexpensive items.
I could go on and on.
Jen
One of the great things about these baskets are you can spend as little or as much as you want. A friend recently gave my husband and I a wedding present. Instead of a traditional present, she combined the wedding gift and the Christmas season together. A photo box was the base. She added a couple of mugs, kitchen towls, a couple of packets (not a whole box) of cider, hot cocoa, sugar cookie mix....She easily spent $75.
However, say you only wanted to spend $25-30. Use the mugs as a base, stuff each with a thin kitchen towl, a packet of cider and/or hot cocoa (almost everyone already has a box). Use a gift bag as wrap. You might even have some money left over if you find inexpensive items.
I could go on and on.
Jen
Most Gift Guides are Lame
Hence the reason I started this blog. All Christmas season I searched for good Christmas gifts to get my in-laws. The gift guides I have found - mainly gifts.com and amazon.com are really lame. A ton of personalized gifts such as shot glasses, beer mugs, shirts etc. Some of those items can be fun - if the person doesn't have 20 already - or if the shirt is a team jersey.
I hope to make this a great gift guide that helps you get the creative juices flowing so you can come up a meaningful gift.
Happy Shopping!
Jen
I hope to make this a great gift guide that helps you get the creative juices flowing so you can come up a meaningful gift.
Happy Shopping!
Jen
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)