Holiday Gifts - From the Heart

Holiday Gift Ideas That Won't Cost Your Peace of Mind

Christmas was not invented by manufactures, marketing and advertising companies, stores, crafters, credit card providers or anything like that to force people into spending beyond their means and becoming drowned in debt. Gifts are wonderful thoughts of expression as long as the core values are remembered. For many this is religious celebrations, enjoying time with friends and family, etc.

 

Here’s some gifts ideas based on these principles and values:
• When considering your gift idea giving, try and keep the emphasis on sharing time with people you love and care about. Therefore you know many of their likes and dislikes and can give a gift based or what you think is appropriate. Here are a few of my own ideas:

(1) Building your gift giving around reinforcing loving relationships amongst your family and friends.

 

(2) Exchanging "Energy" gifts - a present of your time and effort to someone else. For example, make a homemade gift that you think your friend or loved one would appreciate. I love making bath and body gifts for family and they love it!! You can also give a friendship coupon that pledges you to wash your mom, dad, husband's, wife, and/or friend’s car. Children might pledge to wash all the dishes over the Christmas week period. Make and give a pledge to a loved one based of an activity or task you know they’ll value. Just be imaginative and creative.

(3) Keep on the watch for special events. Your gift idea may be knowing a special concert or event that's coming up that you know a friend or the family would appreciate. You can offer to take them to the event and providing the transportation, food, etc. This may be more meaningful than any store bought gift because of the time shared - it will always be remembered.

 

(4)Throughout the year, take your family to visit local flear markets, fairs, garage sales, and more where you can buy gifts inexpensively and a little at a time.

 

(5) My favorite holiday gifts idea is instead of each individual in your family buying a gift, pooling your family’s respective spend budget (set at an affordable budget for everyone - $10-$20 shouldn't put anyone in debt) and send a gift to a family that owns very little or who may be struggling (love it).

 

Just remember, it's by our actions that we reflect the true meaning of Christmas.

 

Happy Holidays to You and Your Family!