This is a great gift for scrapbookers.
Include the basics of what they'll need to create a family memory book - an album, papers and embellishments, markers, a glue stick.
Include a disposable camera for each child in the family in the basket so that their memories in the making can be captured through their eyes.
You can even include a few photos of the family that you already have to help them get started.
i got this idea from learnhowtomakeit.com
Saturday, October 18, 2008
How to Make a Movie-Lovers Gift Basket
Movie Popcorn Photo
Fill a basket with classic movie theater snacks, like Junior Mints and Raisinettes.
Include family-friendly DVDs.
You can also include movie passes to your favorite movie theater with a printout of the movies currently playing. If your gift recipient is excited about a certain movie, then circle that one in the listing in red!
Or how about a movie poster?
Don't forget the microwaveable popcorn.
i got this idea from learnhowtomakeit.com
Fill a basket with classic movie theater snacks, like Junior Mints and Raisinettes.
Include family-friendly DVDs.
You can also include movie passes to your favorite movie theater with a printout of the movies currently playing. If your gift recipient is excited about a certain movie, then circle that one in the listing in red!
Or how about a movie poster?
Don't forget the microwaveable popcorn.
i got this idea from learnhowtomakeit.com
How To Make Your Own Homemade Cookie Bouquets
We've all seen them. Clusters of big, gourmet cookies, individually wrapped in shiny, colored cellophane, with bows and ribbons. They come in many styles and with different treats, toys or gift items attached to or inside a basket or vase of some sort. They make a terrific and edible gift idea. After all, who doesn't love cookies? Sadly, they can be very expensive gifts, especially when considering that cookies don't cost a whole lot to bake.
Here's how to make your own cookie bouquets at home without spending a fortune!
What You Will Need:
* Chopsticks or Wooden Skewers - Make sure they are heat-proof. If you're baking smaller cookies, then popsicle sticks would also work.
* Cookies - Find a delicious cookie recipe that makes larger size cookies, your favorite or your gift recipients favorite will do fine.
* Container - This needs to be a sturdy container that is a bit bottom heavy, especially if you plan to include more than a few big cookies. You can try putting some pebbles in the bottom to make sure the container won't tip over, if needed. Some ideas for containers include: a coffee mug, a metal or plastic pail, a basket, a vase, a planter, cookie jar or glass jar, glass bottle, a toy or wood box of some sort, teapot, porcelain or pottery serving ware.
* Cellophane - The shiny, colored kind looks best, but the colored plastic wrap you get at your local supermarket would work too.
* Ribbon - The curly kind works well for this. Any colors you like.
* Decorations - Anything goes! What's appropriate to the occasion and what does the gift recipient like? Some ideas include: stuffed animals, small toys, candy, balloons, fake or real flowers, stickers or whatever you find at the local craft store.
* Block of styrofoam or florists foam - You know that stereo you bought last December? You probably kept the box, just search your garage for some spare, clean, styrofoam.
* Something to cover up the styrofoam or florist's foam - You can use a big ribbon, some moss, plastic grass, tissue paper crumpled up or whatever else you have handy.
Instructions:
1. When you place the cookie dough on the cookie sheet, press the dough down a bit to flatten it so that it doesn't spread too much while baking and so that the stick can be inserted properly. Before you bake the cookies, you must insert the chopstick or wooden skewer into one side of each cookie. Push it in almost the length of the cookie without going out the other end. This is an important step, as if your cookie is too big and your stick is not sturdy enough, it simply won't hold it and the cookie may fall apart when you pick it up. When baking big cookies, you probably won't be able to fit more than 3 cookies with their sticks to a sheet.
2. After baking the cookies with their sticks, cool the cookies thoroughly, then wrap each one with the colored cellophane. A different color for each cookie would be ok, or all the same color appropriate to the occassion. Tie each one with some curly ribbon at the base where the stick comes out of the cookie. Tie it very tightly so the cookies will stay fresh on the stick. You can adorn each cookie with additional, larger ribbons or bows at this point. When using curly ribbon, don't forget to curl it!
3. Now cut your styrofoam or florist's foam to the size of the top of the container you chose. Then fit the foam in so it is nice and tight and near the top of the container. Remember, you can place something heavier in the bottom of the container so that it does not tip over. Small pebbles work well for this. Remember that the sticks will poke through the foam and into the bottom of the container.
4. Here comes the fun part, let's assemble the cookie bouquet! Take each of your cookies and stick them through the foam so they go all the way through the foam and further, near to the bottom of the container. You can assemble the cookies in any manner you like, but most cookie bouquets have one cookie at the center that is taller than the other cookies, so keep that in mind. Decorate with additional ribbons, toys, candy, flowers, gifts etc. Each item can be attached with additional ribbon to the container or the sticks of the cookies or even with a glue gun (if appropriate).
5. Give your gift and watch the smiles! Make sure to give the bouquet as soon as possible after you have assembled it, you don't want the cookies to go stale!
Tips:
Make sure you bake enough cookies for your container, if baking small cookies, you may run out if you are filling a large container. Always bake more than enough. Surely your extras won't go to waste.
Bake both large and small cookies and use them both in the bouquet for a nice varied look like a more traditional flower bouquet.
More Ideas:
Some cookie bouquets use cutout cookies, these can be fun to make and decorate. Use your favorite sugar cookie cutout recipe and cut into shapes appropriate for the occasion. For cutout cookies to work, you may want to double your sugar cookie recipe as the cookies need to be nice and thick for the stick to go through them. For this type of cookie, wooden skewers will work best, chopsticks may be too thick. Then decorate the cookies with frosting. No need for colored cellophane with these cookies, use regular plastic wrap or clear cellophane so that the beauty of your hand decorated cookies shines through.
Remember, your cookie bouquet doesn't need to look professional, it's the homemade touch that makes it a truly special gift.
Ricky Alberta is an editor for several websites including Cookie-Recipes.net, which includes hundreds of cookie recipes, cookie baking tips, a cookie blog and message boards. http://www.cookie-recipes.net
I got this idea from LearnHowToMakeIt.com
Here's how to make your own cookie bouquets at home without spending a fortune!
What You Will Need:
* Chopsticks or Wooden Skewers - Make sure they are heat-proof. If you're baking smaller cookies, then popsicle sticks would also work.
* Cookies - Find a delicious cookie recipe that makes larger size cookies, your favorite or your gift recipients favorite will do fine.
* Container - This needs to be a sturdy container that is a bit bottom heavy, especially if you plan to include more than a few big cookies. You can try putting some pebbles in the bottom to make sure the container won't tip over, if needed. Some ideas for containers include: a coffee mug, a metal or plastic pail, a basket, a vase, a planter, cookie jar or glass jar, glass bottle, a toy or wood box of some sort, teapot, porcelain or pottery serving ware.
* Cellophane - The shiny, colored kind looks best, but the colored plastic wrap you get at your local supermarket would work too.
* Ribbon - The curly kind works well for this. Any colors you like.
* Decorations - Anything goes! What's appropriate to the occasion and what does the gift recipient like? Some ideas include: stuffed animals, small toys, candy, balloons, fake or real flowers, stickers or whatever you find at the local craft store.
* Block of styrofoam or florists foam - You know that stereo you bought last December? You probably kept the box, just search your garage for some spare, clean, styrofoam.
* Something to cover up the styrofoam or florist's foam - You can use a big ribbon, some moss, plastic grass, tissue paper crumpled up or whatever else you have handy.
Instructions:
1. When you place the cookie dough on the cookie sheet, press the dough down a bit to flatten it so that it doesn't spread too much while baking and so that the stick can be inserted properly. Before you bake the cookies, you must insert the chopstick or wooden skewer into one side of each cookie. Push it in almost the length of the cookie without going out the other end. This is an important step, as if your cookie is too big and your stick is not sturdy enough, it simply won't hold it and the cookie may fall apart when you pick it up. When baking big cookies, you probably won't be able to fit more than 3 cookies with their sticks to a sheet.
2. After baking the cookies with their sticks, cool the cookies thoroughly, then wrap each one with the colored cellophane. A different color for each cookie would be ok, or all the same color appropriate to the occassion. Tie each one with some curly ribbon at the base where the stick comes out of the cookie. Tie it very tightly so the cookies will stay fresh on the stick. You can adorn each cookie with additional, larger ribbons or bows at this point. When using curly ribbon, don't forget to curl it!
3. Now cut your styrofoam or florist's foam to the size of the top of the container you chose. Then fit the foam in so it is nice and tight and near the top of the container. Remember, you can place something heavier in the bottom of the container so that it does not tip over. Small pebbles work well for this. Remember that the sticks will poke through the foam and into the bottom of the container.
4. Here comes the fun part, let's assemble the cookie bouquet! Take each of your cookies and stick them through the foam so they go all the way through the foam and further, near to the bottom of the container. You can assemble the cookies in any manner you like, but most cookie bouquets have one cookie at the center that is taller than the other cookies, so keep that in mind. Decorate with additional ribbons, toys, candy, flowers, gifts etc. Each item can be attached with additional ribbon to the container or the sticks of the cookies or even with a glue gun (if appropriate).
5. Give your gift and watch the smiles! Make sure to give the bouquet as soon as possible after you have assembled it, you don't want the cookies to go stale!
Tips:
Make sure you bake enough cookies for your container, if baking small cookies, you may run out if you are filling a large container. Always bake more than enough. Surely your extras won't go to waste.
Bake both large and small cookies and use them both in the bouquet for a nice varied look like a more traditional flower bouquet.
More Ideas:
Some cookie bouquets use cutout cookies, these can be fun to make and decorate. Use your favorite sugar cookie cutout recipe and cut into shapes appropriate for the occasion. For cutout cookies to work, you may want to double your sugar cookie recipe as the cookies need to be nice and thick for the stick to go through them. For this type of cookie, wooden skewers will work best, chopsticks may be too thick. Then decorate the cookies with frosting. No need for colored cellophane with these cookies, use regular plastic wrap or clear cellophane so that the beauty of your hand decorated cookies shines through.
Remember, your cookie bouquet doesn't need to look professional, it's the homemade touch that makes it a truly special gift.
Ricky Alberta is an editor for several websites including Cookie-Recipes.net, which includes hundreds of cookie recipes, cookie baking tips, a cookie blog and message boards. http://www.cookie-recipes.net
I got this idea from LearnHowToMakeIt.com
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Pastry Bag Packages
DLTK's Gifts Kids Can Make
Although you do have to do a bit of shopping to make these gifts, they're a terrific choice for children to make for Christmas (most children will be able to purchase the supplies with their own money from allowance or doing extra chores around the house).
The project can be done with hot chocolate (pictured to the right), smarties, jelly beans or other candies. You can save any left over bags to fill with mom or dad's favorite colors for birthdays, orange jelly beans (with a green ribbon tie) for Easter or red candy hearts for Valentine's Day. Also, the hot chocolate version can easily be sold by kids for $5.00 per piece at Christmas craft sales or as a holiday fund raiser.
The things I love about these projects are:
bullet cost is under $1.00 per gift
bullet easy and quick to make (which is wonderful when the children are making a dozen or so gifts for family, friends, babysitters, teachers, etc -- I always keep my eyes open for gifts that can be mass produced).
bullet can use an "assembly line" style to include siblings of various ages
bullet great gift for children, men or women (grandpas or grandmas *wink*)
bullet they look cute hanging from the Christmas tree
Materials for pastry bags:
bullet Clear disposable pastry bags -- can be purchased at most craft stores or through Amazon.com (visit the Amazon links below to see what the product looks like if you aren't sure what I'm talking about)
*package of 10 (about 30 cents per bag)
*package of 100 (about 15 cents per bag)
*ribbon in an appropriate Christmas color
*optional: twist ties
*optional: candy canes
bullet something to fill the bag with:
bullet hot chocolate: store bought hot chocolate powder, chocolate chips, mini marshmallows
OR
bullet Christmas colored smarties or M&M's (red and green)
OR
bullet red, green and/or white jelly beans
Directions:
bullet Fill the bag 3/4s or so full of the filling you are using.
bullet You can mix things together or make nifty layers:
bullet Hot Chocolate: put in enough hot chocolate dust for two servings, add a thin layer of chocolate chips and a thin layer of mini marshmallows
bullet Jelly Beans: layer red and white jelly beans to give a "candy cane" effect
bullet Optional: use a twist tie to seal the top tightly (this is a good step for an adult to do if a younger child is tying the ribbon)
bullet Tie a 6" (or so) length of ribbon tightly in a knot around the top of the pastry bag
bullet Optional (if you want to hang your bag on the tree): Tie a12" (or so) length of ribbon in a loop and tie it to the bag
bullet Optional: Tie a candy cane onto the bag -- candy canes are nice as "stir sticks" with hot chocolate. Having said that, we found it a bit finicky to tie them on and they tended to break when we were traveling with the gifts so we ended up taking them off (personally, I would only use this option if the present was going right from assembly onto the Christmas tree)
http://www.dltk-holidays.com/xmas/images/csnowmansoup.gif
Although you do have to do a bit of shopping to make these gifts, they're a terrific choice for children to make for Christmas (most children will be able to purchase the supplies with their own money from allowance or doing extra chores around the house).
The project can be done with hot chocolate (pictured to the right), smarties, jelly beans or other candies. You can save any left over bags to fill with mom or dad's favorite colors for birthdays, orange jelly beans (with a green ribbon tie) for Easter or red candy hearts for Valentine's Day. Also, the hot chocolate version can easily be sold by kids for $5.00 per piece at Christmas craft sales or as a holiday fund raiser.
The things I love about these projects are:
bullet cost is under $1.00 per gift
bullet easy and quick to make (which is wonderful when the children are making a dozen or so gifts for family, friends, babysitters, teachers, etc -- I always keep my eyes open for gifts that can be mass produced).
bullet can use an "assembly line" style to include siblings of various ages
bullet great gift for children, men or women (grandpas or grandmas *wink*)
bullet they look cute hanging from the Christmas tree
Materials for pastry bags:
bullet Clear disposable pastry bags -- can be purchased at most craft stores or through Amazon.com (visit the Amazon links below to see what the product looks like if you aren't sure what I'm talking about)
*package of 10 (about 30 cents per bag)
*package of 100 (about 15 cents per bag)
*ribbon in an appropriate Christmas color
*optional: twist ties
*optional: candy canes
bullet something to fill the bag with:
bullet hot chocolate: store bought hot chocolate powder, chocolate chips, mini marshmallows
OR
bullet Christmas colored smarties or M&M's (red and green)
OR
bullet red, green and/or white jelly beans
Directions:
bullet Fill the bag 3/4s or so full of the filling you are using.
bullet You can mix things together or make nifty layers:
bullet Hot Chocolate: put in enough hot chocolate dust for two servings, add a thin layer of chocolate chips and a thin layer of mini marshmallows
bullet Jelly Beans: layer red and white jelly beans to give a "candy cane" effect
bullet Optional: use a twist tie to seal the top tightly (this is a good step for an adult to do if a younger child is tying the ribbon)
bullet Tie a 6" (or so) length of ribbon tightly in a knot around the top of the pastry bag
bullet Optional (if you want to hang your bag on the tree): Tie a12" (or so) length of ribbon in a loop and tie it to the bag
bullet Optional: Tie a candy cane onto the bag -- candy canes are nice as "stir sticks" with hot chocolate. Having said that, we found it a bit finicky to tie them on and they tended to break when we were traveling with the gifts so we ended up taking them off (personally, I would only use this option if the present was going right from assembly onto the Christmas tree)
http://www.dltk-holidays.com/xmas/images/csnowmansoup.gif
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
more gift ideas!
1. A recipe book with your favorite recipes for a neighbor
2. A photo album of the kids for the distant relatives
3. With the kids hand-paint some new pottery mugs or
4. dishes at a ceramics store
5. A memory book with photos, ticket stubs, etc. of things you’ve done together
6. Record an interview with grandparents on the history of their life to give the family
7. Build a raised garden bed for herbs or vegetables
8. A DVD of your life these days for that long-distance friend, take a tour of your town, house, job etc…
9. Paint or draw a picture
10. Scrabble board appreciation-arrange an old scrabble board of words that express memories and attributes of that special person. Glue the pieces down and put a picture hanger on the back for them to hang it up as art!
Here's a few inexpensive gift ideas...
1. Gourmet coffees with a personal coffee cup
2. Pound of pistachios
3. Child's artwork, framed
4. Journal with special inscription inside
5. Teacup with box of herbal tea
6. Deck of cards and book of card game rules
7. Homemade cocoa mix in a pretty jar
8. Collage of special photos
9. Gel pens and pretty stationary
10. Bottle of sparkling cider
11. Home baked bread, include recipe
12. Disposable camera or rolls of film
13. Basket filled with deli cheese and fruit
14. Craft supplies
15. Holiday serving bowl or platter
16. Pretty basket filled with special jams or mustards
17. Decorative napkins and napkin rings
18. Fancy chocolate bars tied with a ribbon
19. Gardening gloves with a plant or flower seeds
20. Photo album, hand decorated is even better
21. Makeup tote
22. Prepaid photo developing envelopes
23. Homemade cookie mix with instructions for baking
24. Variety of bread mixes
25. Special coffee cup filled with candy
26. Fancy magazines tied together with a pretty ribbon
27. Gourmet popcorn and flavored oil
28. Locally made barbeque or steak sauce with basting brush
29. Pancake or waffle mix and a bottle of real maple syrup
30. Movie theater gift certificates
31. Board games
32. Jar of sourwood or pure honey with biscuit mix
33. Note cards and book of stamps
34. Picture frames, buy them on sale!
35. Specialty cookbook
36. Pretty glass jar filled with candy
37. Collectible sports cards
38. Muffin mixes with muffin pan
39. Books, there are still a few for under $10
40. Set of dish towels and dish cloths
41. Nail polish kit
42. Pretty night shirt
43. Basket filled with kitchen gadgets
44. Video rental gift certificates
45. Pepper mill and fresh peppercorns
46. Handwritten copies of your favorite recipes
47. For the pets, gourmet dog biscuits or cat treats
48. Baking pans and supplies
49. Prepaid long distance phone cards
50. Small clock or radio
51. Pretty box for keepsakes
52. Colorful Post-It notepads
53. Address book
54. Christmas ornaments
55. Puzzles
56. Blank video or cassette tapes
57. Sewing supplies
58. Flashlight with batteries
59. Favorite quote embroidered on a nice handkerchief
60. Makeup brush set
61. Expensive socks, still under $10
62. Special soaps and bath puff
63. and don't forget my absolute favorite... home baked cookies!
Foolproof recipes are always welcome gifts. If you had time, you would make a little notebook and handwrite 20 of your favorites. Here's a speedier version: Pick one recipe, have your child write it on an index card, and package it with some of the ingredients. Give a play-clay recipe, for example, with a cookie cutter and balls of starter clay wrapped in plastic. Give a bubble recipe with glycerin and a wand, or pancake mix with the dry ingredients sifted into jars. Any recipe that starts with the words "Never-Fail Party _________" would be well-received in my house. I don't mean to hint.
1. Spend Only $4.98
It's simple: Each person can spend exactly $4.98 on a gift -- no more, no less. Givers can buy one present or several; the result just needs to add up to $4.98. To make the process even more fun, each person has to include receipts to prove the $4.98 purchase and share the story of how he or she reached the amount.
Try It
Go with $4.98 or agree on another modest dollar amount and let the treasure hunt begin. Some will hit the penny candy store while others will aim for a single larger gift. Either way, everyone brushes up on their math skills -- and no one breaks the bank.
2. Make a "Wish Jar"
Create your own wish jar for a best friend, spouse, or special sister, including in it what you see as their dreams and goals. Trust me, not only will the recipients be blown away by the time and thoughtfulness put into the gift, they'll feel seen, cared for, and appreciated for who they are.
3. Give Yourself
With time so precious these days, sometimes the gift of our attention is the best we can offer. If you're a massage therapist, for example, you might give the gift of touch to an aunt who's never had a foot massage. If organizing is your forte, help a friend reorganize her closets. Do you like to paint kitchen cabinets, cook pasta sauce, or shovel snow? These skills can all translate into great gifts.
Try It
A formal declaration makes this gift official. Put your intentions in writing, including any relevant details (like how many hours of babysitting, gardening, or basement clutter-clearing you're committing to). Then, gift wrap your invitation. In a day and age when most of us have too much stuff anyway, it's a great way to say "I want to help you live a good life."
5. Create a Book
Although the idea of writing a book may seem daunting, don't worry. It's actually much easier than it sounds -- especially when you think of a "book" as a collection of writings, special memories, quotes, photographs, even drawings. If you love to write, you'll fill the pages mostly with words. But even if you don't, your journal will tell the story of your affection for another, whether that unfolds in words, pictures, or a combination of both.
Try It
Purchase a beautiful journal, and over the next month or so, fill the pages with favorite anecdotes, poems, and stories of how the person touched your life. Some days you might fill more than one page; other days you might skip writing altogether. Let the ideas flow over time. When you do set aside time to write, allow yourself to connect with the love you feel for the person. If you start now, you should be able to fill a book in time for your holiday gathering -- and the recipient will cherish it for a lifetime.
2. A photo album of the kids for the distant relatives
3. With the kids hand-paint some new pottery mugs or
4. dishes at a ceramics store
5. A memory book with photos, ticket stubs, etc. of things you’ve done together
6. Record an interview with grandparents on the history of their life to give the family
7. Build a raised garden bed for herbs or vegetables
8. A DVD of your life these days for that long-distance friend, take a tour of your town, house, job etc…
9. Paint or draw a picture
10. Scrabble board appreciation-arrange an old scrabble board of words that express memories and attributes of that special person. Glue the pieces down and put a picture hanger on the back for them to hang it up as art!
Here's a few inexpensive gift ideas...
1. Gourmet coffees with a personal coffee cup
2. Pound of pistachios
3. Child's artwork, framed
4. Journal with special inscription inside
5. Teacup with box of herbal tea
6. Deck of cards and book of card game rules
7. Homemade cocoa mix in a pretty jar
8. Collage of special photos
9. Gel pens and pretty stationary
10. Bottle of sparkling cider
11. Home baked bread, include recipe
12. Disposable camera or rolls of film
13. Basket filled with deli cheese and fruit
14. Craft supplies
15. Holiday serving bowl or platter
16. Pretty basket filled with special jams or mustards
17. Decorative napkins and napkin rings
18. Fancy chocolate bars tied with a ribbon
19. Gardening gloves with a plant or flower seeds
20. Photo album, hand decorated is even better
21. Makeup tote
22. Prepaid photo developing envelopes
23. Homemade cookie mix with instructions for baking
24. Variety of bread mixes
25. Special coffee cup filled with candy
26. Fancy magazines tied together with a pretty ribbon
27. Gourmet popcorn and flavored oil
28. Locally made barbeque or steak sauce with basting brush
29. Pancake or waffle mix and a bottle of real maple syrup
30. Movie theater gift certificates
31. Board games
32. Jar of sourwood or pure honey with biscuit mix
33. Note cards and book of stamps
34. Picture frames, buy them on sale!
35. Specialty cookbook
36. Pretty glass jar filled with candy
37. Collectible sports cards
38. Muffin mixes with muffin pan
39. Books, there are still a few for under $10
40. Set of dish towels and dish cloths
41. Nail polish kit
42. Pretty night shirt
43. Basket filled with kitchen gadgets
44. Video rental gift certificates
45. Pepper mill and fresh peppercorns
46. Handwritten copies of your favorite recipes
47. For the pets, gourmet dog biscuits or cat treats
48. Baking pans and supplies
49. Prepaid long distance phone cards
50. Small clock or radio
51. Pretty box for keepsakes
52. Colorful Post-It notepads
53. Address book
54. Christmas ornaments
55. Puzzles
56. Blank video or cassette tapes
57. Sewing supplies
58. Flashlight with batteries
59. Favorite quote embroidered on a nice handkerchief
60. Makeup brush set
61. Expensive socks, still under $10
62. Special soaps and bath puff
63. and don't forget my absolute favorite... home baked cookies!
Foolproof recipes are always welcome gifts. If you had time, you would make a little notebook and handwrite 20 of your favorites. Here's a speedier version: Pick one recipe, have your child write it on an index card, and package it with some of the ingredients. Give a play-clay recipe, for example, with a cookie cutter and balls of starter clay wrapped in plastic. Give a bubble recipe with glycerin and a wand, or pancake mix with the dry ingredients sifted into jars. Any recipe that starts with the words "Never-Fail Party _________" would be well-received in my house. I don't mean to hint.
1. Spend Only $4.98
It's simple: Each person can spend exactly $4.98 on a gift -- no more, no less. Givers can buy one present or several; the result just needs to add up to $4.98. To make the process even more fun, each person has to include receipts to prove the $4.98 purchase and share the story of how he or she reached the amount.
Try It
Go with $4.98 or agree on another modest dollar amount and let the treasure hunt begin. Some will hit the penny candy store while others will aim for a single larger gift. Either way, everyone brushes up on their math skills -- and no one breaks the bank.
2. Make a "Wish Jar"
Create your own wish jar for a best friend, spouse, or special sister, including in it what you see as their dreams and goals. Trust me, not only will the recipients be blown away by the time and thoughtfulness put into the gift, they'll feel seen, cared for, and appreciated for who they are.
3. Give Yourself
With time so precious these days, sometimes the gift of our attention is the best we can offer. If you're a massage therapist, for example, you might give the gift of touch to an aunt who's never had a foot massage. If organizing is your forte, help a friend reorganize her closets. Do you like to paint kitchen cabinets, cook pasta sauce, or shovel snow? These skills can all translate into great gifts.
Try It
A formal declaration makes this gift official. Put your intentions in writing, including any relevant details (like how many hours of babysitting, gardening, or basement clutter-clearing you're committing to). Then, gift wrap your invitation. In a day and age when most of us have too much stuff anyway, it's a great way to say "I want to help you live a good life."
5. Create a Book
Although the idea of writing a book may seem daunting, don't worry. It's actually much easier than it sounds -- especially when you think of a "book" as a collection of writings, special memories, quotes, photographs, even drawings. If you love to write, you'll fill the pages mostly with words. But even if you don't, your journal will tell the story of your affection for another, whether that unfolds in words, pictures, or a combination of both.
Try It
Purchase a beautiful journal, and over the next month or so, fill the pages with favorite anecdotes, poems, and stories of how the person touched your life. Some days you might fill more than one page; other days you might skip writing altogether. Let the ideas flow over time. When you do set aside time to write, allow yourself to connect with the love you feel for the person. If you start now, you should be able to fill a book in time for your holiday gathering -- and the recipient will cherish it for a lifetime.
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