Holiday Gift Ideas
Decisions, decisions! What to do? What to do?
You want to send nice gifts to those you appreciate, those who’ve cheered you on, became loyal customers, to show your gratitude for their support. Something nice that doesn’t end up in the trash bin, or collecting dust in a hidden corner. You want your recipient to smile and remember you fondly as they open your gift, not toss your calendar on the ever growing stack. (I like calendars, but only need 1 or 2. Wish there was some way everyone could get together and say, it is your turn to give calendars this year). Handcrafted gifts by self would really add the personal touch, but then hwo would you have time to build your business. I do like food as gifts, less shopping and baking to do here, no dusting later (exercising, yes, we know where those calories go).
Think about the person you are giving the gift to, what do they like what would be a meaningful gift. Most important, add a card to the gift, write down in words exactly why you appreciate them into a personalized card. Dear customer just won’t work here.
Let Someone Else do the Baking
- How about an Italian chef baking all kinds of tasty treats? Hand made Italian Cakes, muffins & cookies from the old country! Let Mama Gloria do the baking this year at My Little Taste of Italy
- Shortbread anyone? Vermont Shortbread Company Brings a Taste of Homemade Goodness to Your Doorstep.
- Jams, jellies, pound cake. From Jalapeno Pepper Jelly to Pumpkin Butter. Gift baskets and sugar-free varieties (splenda). Visit Annie’s Accent Bakery.
- Customize your own greeting card and add it to a box of delicious candies, nuts, cookies, brownies. GetYourCards and gifts here.
- Need something a little healthier, unique? Sage Hill Farms will take care of your with their organic herbs, teas, tell Bea “Hi!” for me.
Gifts that Give
Books are always great, how many time did you say to yourself I’d love to read that book? but never got around to purchasing it for yourself. There are many gifted authors out there who have wonderful, inspirational books out there. I don’t have time to list all the ones I know and recommend.
- Brian Biro, one of the all time best buddy thankers, sent me a copy of both his Joyful Spirit book and his BreakThrough Stories 1 cd which my kids and I enjoyed listening to as they are also swimmers and could relate to Alison’s story.
- Another book you may want to pick up for someone struggling with menopause is Beverly Mahone’s Whatever! A BabyBoomer’s Journey into Middle Age.
- If you have no idea what book to give your can always give a gift certificate such as one from Barnes and Noble available with a greeting card from SendOutCards.
- Give a gift of song, a book on cd or a cd such as Jeanie Marshall’s Guided Meditation cd’s.
- No sure what to choose, give an iTunes gift certificate, again available as a gift card inside your personalized greeting card from SendOutCards.
Other Gift Card Ideas
Other gift cards available from SendOutCards:
- Restaurant Cards, Starbucks gift cards, let them decide what to eat, when.
- Home Depot gift cards for the Do It Yourselfer
- Bed Bath and Beyond
- Gift card for a variety of clothing stores, let them take advantage of the after Christmas sales
- WalMart gift card
- More
- Or even make your own gift cards, free coupon for a new service you are providing clients, discount coupons, referrals to their business, a gift of service. But don’t forget the personal note.
Dec 6th, 2007 at 12:50 am
Dear Heidi,
Love the tag line and concept for this blog. My friend and I were just talking today about how our children are growing up so connected to technology that we’re scared our society will turn into a group of isolated individuals who can’t spell (due to texting) and have few social skills. Hope we’re way wrong.
One of my favorite gift books to give is “Together: Creating Family Traditions,” by Rondi Hillstrom Davis and Janell Sewall Oakes. It is a perfect gift book for many occasions — birthdays, holidays, baby showers, teachers’ gifts, hostess gifts, Mother’s day, etc. If your family is important to you and you want to share quality time with them, this book will show you just how to create wonderful memories that will last a lifetime. It is full of creative ideas, activities and recipes — along with vivid photography!
Hope you like it as much as I do. I’ve enjoyed my copy for years!
Cheers & Happy Holidays,
Linda
Dec 6th, 2007 at 10:20 am
Hi Linda,
Thanks for dropping in. Kids do grow up with technology and I believe it is a little more work and effort we must make to help balance their attention. My youngest had 2 friends over, she was wanting to play in the leaf piles, but her friends kept going back in the house and play dress up on the computer. She was sad. Just a few short years back my yard was packed full and you’d find about a dozen kids playing capture the flag or some other game. Making and changing the rules, inventing new games.
My daughter-in-law from Richardson called a couple days back, asking bout our family traditions and they’re deciding which to use for their family.
Gives me a couple ideas for blog posts.
Linda, I visited your site and read the page on Easter traditions. I believe traditions are a great way to connect a family together.
Thanks,
Heidi
Dec 7th, 2007 at 6:01 am
I think gift certificates are perfect if you have no idea what your receiver wants. Plus, it’s not such a personal gift so it’s natural to give such to clients, co-workers. I’ve heard others taking the more economical and eco-friendly direction. Others plant a tree for their clients. Others simply ask that gifts be donated to charity. Whatever we decide to do, we must never forget the spirit of giving and the reason for the holiday.
Dec 7th, 2007 at 10:58 pm
Thanks for sharing, reminds me I’ve seen gifts of acres of rain forest saved too.
I like to spread out the giving throughout the year, instead of all out for Christmas. One of my kids favorite things to do during the holiday season is to serve food at the homeless shelter. Next week a group of ladies from our church are putting together dinner for the staff at a nursing home.
Dec 7th, 2007 at 11:10 pm
Organic Holiday Cookies made from scratch are available for Christmas time, visit http://www.wildfloursbakery.com. I think they only ship baked goods in the usa though…
Additionally their slogan is, “Ending world hunger, One Bite at a Time”, and are donating 10% of sales to Gleaners Community Food Bank and Other Charities…
The Cookies are just delightful, it is rare to find made from scatch, delicious Christmas Cookies and Wildflours has them. Check it out, also they care Gluten reduced and other organic products, cool place…
Mar 12th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Another idea is to create a book. Lulu.com will do it for free - and the route is fairly painless.
They’ve even made it simple for you to post your photos and make a photobook for friends and family - as well as calendars.
So personalized gift-giving just got better….