Christmas should be a time of joy and fun... yet many of us get so stressed out during the season. Part of that stress is due to gift shopping... and trying to find the best suited gift for those on your list -- year after year.
It's enough for some of us to just stay home and get slogged on egg nog. And likely--some of us do!
Avoidance becomes the watchword, and yet, it needn't really be that difficult. Finding the perfect Christmas gift for your 'people' could turn into a fun project with rewards that last all year! This simple act is an important one to do well as it can spark rewards far greater than the gift we give.
Here are some tips to help you become "The" Cool Gift Giver of the Year!
Finding cool Xmas presents requires a gift that leaves others wishing they were your giftee. The key is to find something that excites interest in others and elicits that 'wow' factor.
Say what?!... you gasp! It's hard enough to find something 'normal' let alone a Christmas present with extra pizzazz that will make others drool... ! Your mind wanders to the fruitcake and re-gifting process for comfort...
Whoa Rudolph! No need to go there. With just a little time and a little effort from your heart, you can become the Gift Giver of the Century. It just takes a few moments of engagement.
Just take a breath and take the first 'problem gift' on your list... and think a bit about what that person likes to do. We usually give up without much fight because we think we don't know anything about them. You likely know them better than you think you do.
What do you chat about when you get together? Do their eyes light up when a certain topic is mentioned? Do they have pictures or objects in their home... or if a work colleague... on their desk that give clues?
What have they talked about repeatedly with gusto? Are they politically oriented? Love to travel? How about pets?
Do they have a dog, a cat or a gerbil... or something more exotic?
What do they read? Do they listen to music? Visit art museums for fun? How about hobbies?
Do they bowl or dance? Hike or mountain climb? Do they paint, knit or collect rocks?
Do they love autos or collecting miniature objects?
Are they active or sedentary?
And the list goes on. You can think about what you DO know about the person on your list... and things will start to look brighter.
If they love to cook, there are any number of handy new gadgets every year that could make the whole process for them even more delightful. Even a unique or well-designed cookbook could be just the ticket. Or what about putting together a gift basket of some gourmet treats so they can enjoy them without cooking... and dream about re-creating the recipe themselves? Or include the recipe you've managed to find...
The car and motorcycle buff will always go for special items that help them clean and shine the 'apples' of their eyes. The traveler would surely enjoy a novel carry-on bag, a basket filled with sample travel items such as soap, shampoo, mini toothpaste and brush, hand wipes, money belts or re-usable bottles for instance. Light, easy to pack, healthy travel snacks to take along would also be welcome. Books on the destination of their dreams could also bring them a step closer to fulfilling their desire. Good maps of the region can always be counted on to be appreciated.
Don't forget the gardeners. Think hand tools, gloves or kneepads and organic fertilizers and sprays for gardening. Good garden guides for the area of their passion, be it organic, hydroponics, vegetables, landscaping, roses or other areas, will hold their hand and guide them to success for a lifetime.
Magazine subscriptions on the theme or subject of their interest can be a big hit as well. Not many people think to do that. That arm-chair archeologist or at home do-it-yourselfer would delight in a magazine subscription that they might not have splurged on for themselves. But what a treat to receive the 'luxury' they denied themselves -- from you! You'll be remembered! The hobbyist will appreciate the newest trend gadget or needed supplies to enjoy the pastime of their heart's desire.
And pet lovers... well... you hit the jackpot there! Special toys, foods, supplies or accessories for their pet will win their hearts in no time. Or consider a t-shirt, sweatshirt, furniture throw, mousepad, calendar, stationary, iPhone or eye-glass case - or similar- for the human counterpart with a photo of their favorite domestic heart throb or a pet-oriented theme. You'll have a winner! And a custom, made-by-you touch to boot!
Take some pictures of their special furry friends and make a nice collage in a unique photo frame you can purchase inexpensively at bargain stores. Or go for broke with a custom made frame you can order online as well.
And think about lessons for the activity of their interest or even throw in a gift certificate in a gift basket made custom with some special items you choose. These always have a 'thrill' factor, don't take a lot of time, but appear to. They show you gave some genuine thought to the task... and that could be the greatest gift of all to anyone.
After all, the old phrase... "it's the thought that counts"... takes on true meaning. The concept of 'I'm thinking of you' in Christmas gifting shows love, respect or affection in honor of the gift of Christmas. The gift that such a gesture bestows to relationships colors them for the better, and mutual bonds grow as a result of taking a bit of time to care enough to find a gift that will delight your recipient.
Year after year those bonds strengthen, all due to that little bit of time given to actually come to 'know' a person better. Each year, your observations will be more rich, you'll pay more attention to what makes another happy and it will be more like an adventure of discovery.
The result is a gift to both... and all those connected to both of you... that truly keeps on blessing. And our World needs more of such... and Love in every form. Our small contributions via a small but special thought from the heart - discerned from listening, observing and caring - can help make the world a truly better, happier place.
Improved relationships lighten our burdens, bring smiles and make the world a brighter place to be. And that is a gift that keeps paying forward.
Need more gift ideas for xmas! Find More Christmas present ideas to stoke your quest for the Perfect Xmas Gift--even those with 'everything' and the 'impossible to buy for'! You'll have your Christmas list wrapped up in no time - with xmas gifts that will be cherished.
Find the Perfect Gifts for Cat and Dog Lovers! Have Fun - and Make Their Hearts Sing Jingle Bells!
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