It seems like everybody has a Christmas list of some sort. Either a list of all things they want, or a list of the top 10 - 20 gifts to give this season. Instead I've concocted a list of gifts you can never really go wrong with, timeless gifts. The list is short and is comprised of only five things but it's a list that's great not only for Christmas and the holidays, but for any occasion.
Yesterday was a chaotic and tiring shopping day (both physically and mentally) and I wish I had thought of this little list at the start of the day, instead of thinking of it at the end of the day when all of the presents are already bought and wrapped.
The list:Books, handmade things, music, gift cards, and socks.Books: The sentiment of a good book will never go out of style, where as a piece of clothing might. Most people give or get really current or trendy items to add to their wardrobe this time of the year, but ever think about giving or getting books? There are millions of books out there, one to match every personality and it's a gift that will probably last more than a few seasons. It could be a simple read like a novel or a classic tale, maybe a new Bible or children's books, or maybe even a "how-to" book, which ever it may be there's something for everyone. If all else fails an empty book is a perfect solution, like a journal or a sketch book. Give thoughtfully so choose carefully with books. A bad book could be just as disastrous as one of those holiday sweaters, so make the book personal.
Handmade: Go all out and go handmade. Of course handmade probably takes more time and effort, but it surely won't go unnoticed. When you give or receive gifts you usually want it to be a personal gift, whats more personal than something you've handmade for a specific someone? But careful with the crafting, make something practical and something tasteful, there's nothing worst than taking hours to make a present, only to find out that that person doesn't really like what you've made and stores it away for the next ten years.
Music: The gift of music is and forever will be a timeless and perfect present. It could be a mix tape of a friend's 20 favorite songs, a new instrument or just a new cd, music is universal and is appreciated by all.
Gift cards: Gift cards, careful with this one, this can be a total hit or complete miss. Most of the time gift cards are like "get out of jail cards". It's either we don't know or can't find any other solutions so we leave the solution up to the people we're giving the card to. This is a lovely idea and I personally love both giving and receiving them myself but sometimes gift cards take the personality out of giving. Yes you can grab a gift card at a friend's favorite retail store and know that they'll make good use of the money on that card, but why not give a gift card with more personality? When you reach for the gift card solution try stores that are a little more creative and cohesive to an individuals personality.
Try stores more off beat, less retail, like for music lovers ... instead of a card at
FYE or a generic music store like that, try a music store that caters to their specific style of music like a guitar store, or for the concert junkies try seeing if the club or cafe you always here them going to have gift certificates of some sort or pay for their next show.
For movie lovers, buy movie theatre gift cards
with a purpose. What I mean by that is do more than just by a friend a movie gift card and call it a day, buy a few friends movie gift cards and "coincidentally" invite them all out to the movies one night ( the "i don't have money" excuse won't be a problem for anyone), same goes with Restaurant gift cards ... plan accordingly and you can maybe even have a movie and dinner night with a few of your favorite people all on your tab, without really feeling like it's a tab. Careful with the restaurant gift cards, they could send the wrong idea if your careless, and that applies to retail stores as well.
Also run with the whole food idea, but attack the specifics. If your boss or aunt is a chocolate connoisseur, coffee or tea connoisseur, buy a gift card from a place that specializes in these things. Like for a tea lover like my mom,
TEAVANA is a darling place for here to go crazy.
Socks: Lastly socks. This one seems a bit impersonal but if you think about it's perfect for anyone 'cause everyone wears socks and need socks. Most people have incomplete pairs of socks in their drawers and you can never have to many socks so just think of it this way, most people pay little attention to the minuscule details for their lives why not take care of the minuscule details yourself. Although socks usually go unseen, the person wearing them will be grateful , especially if you get socks with personality. For the business type buy classy but darling trouser socks, or for the sporty type the choices are endless, and even for the dancer legwarmers and tights are a staple. Socks for everyone!
Hope this helps you during the gift giving times, I know jotting this down will help me next time around. I also, now know better and I've got a plan that can't fail me.
Happy gift giving!
