Who doesn’t love getting gifts? We all feel loved when someone surprises us with an elaborately wrapped present on a special occasion or even something small on a random day. There’s something about receiving gifts that instantly brings a smile on our face as it shows us that someone cares.
But it can be quite tough to decide what to give to people when an occasion demands it or when you just want to remind a friend how much she means to you. You want to make sure the gift you are giving isn’t something generic and will be used and perhaps even treasured by the recipient. Books and flowers are easy choices but they aren’t very personal. So, what can you do? Here are some brilliant ideas.
Customized art prints
These days, customization is all the rage. There are many small businesses that provide the service at affordable prices. Find and choose a nice photo of the person you want to give something to or of his/her family and get an arty version made of it. A sketch or painting will work. There are businesses that will have photos etched on wood as well though these tend to be slightly on the expensive side. Alternatively, you can also opt for keychains or lanyards. This is sure to become a prized possession for the recipient.
Pressed flowers
A bunch of flowers will wither and die and is also quite run of the mill. But pressed flowers will last a lifetime and also add an element of intrigue to any home. You might have to prepare a little in advance if you want to give this a try but the effort will surely be worth it. Dry some flowers, put it between two sheets of paper, and press it between heavy books or place them under your mattress. It might take a few days for the flowers to be ready. Once they are, arrange and glue them artfully on a sheet of paper. Get this framed and voila, your personalized gift is ready.
An ‘open when’ set of letters
This is a great idea for a friend or cousin who is close to you and you just want to brighten their day and remind them of how much you value them. Basically, you write them a bunch of notes or letters for specific moods or days. These are notes they can open when the day is gloomy and they are bored, when they need a bit of encouragement, or when they are stressed etc. On each envelope, write down when they should open them hence the name ‘open when’. You can choose to write your own thoughts and feelings or even opt for motivational quotes and poems. The idea is to give them some words of hope and comfort that they can turn to when they need them.
Something handmade
Frame a motivational quote or poem for that kind colleague. Knit your friend a scarf. Sew a lovely silk pillow cover for your aunt. Make a Ganesha painting for your religious grandmother. Nothing can beat the allure of gifts which are made by you especially for the recipient. Most people will appreciate the fact that you took time out of your busy schedule to do something for them, however small. Everyone can go to a store and buy a gift but not everyone will take the time to make something. So think about what the person you want to give something to might like and work on it yourself. You could even learn some skills like macrame or candle making and put those to use. Think how lovely a friend will feel to get a macrame dreamcatcher made by you or when his house fills with the wondering aroma of a scented candle crafted by your hands.
The gift of time
In this day and age when everyone is busy and hard pressed for time, there can be no better gift than the gift of time. Take your friend out on a movie date or spend a few hours at the spa, indulging in a pedicure and a massage. If your time and budget allows it, you can even plan a short trip. We recommend a day trip to Chandragiri hills or a hike around Godavari or Shivapuri. It can be a great chance to catch up and relax and recharge as well. You can also make a coupon book where you give them several handmade coupons for a coffee outing, a movie night, a vent session, or a shopping trip that they can use at later dates.
