Gifts – 5 Top Tips

It is a worldwide custom to give gifts on such occasions as birthdays and wedding days, but after that is where the countries start to differ. Britons and people tracing their roots back there give gifts on Christmas Day as well.

However, many other Europeans give presents at Christmas on Saint Nicholas’ Day or December 6th. Non-Christian countries usually give presents at New Year.

Whatever you do in your country, giving a gift requires thought. The shops are frequently full of junk at these gift-giving times of the year, but there is also a lot of excellent stuff about, at a price. The alternatives are twofold on the whole.

You can either make something which will be one of a kind, I imagine that this includes personalizing a shop-bought gift or you can think outside of the box, which many people find quite difficult. Personally, I find it hard, but it does get easier the more often you try it and the better you know the person you are going to give the gift to.

Here then are a few ideas which you may resolve to take on board ‘as is’, or they may motivate you on to better ideas. As I write, Christmas is coming up and then it is Saint Valentine’s day before you know it. We certainly get plenty of occasions to practice buying presents in the West!

A Plot Of Your Own: I come from Wales in the UK (is there any other?) and up the way from me a local plot of green-belt land was in trouble. Experts said that it ought to be planted with trees, but the authorities did not have the money, so they advertised six feet square plots of land for sale with a sapling of your preference on it.

You also got a title deed, directions and a photo. In addition, the tree would be maintained for five years until it was established. I am aware that this is not the only place that did this and it was probably not the first either, but it makes a good gift for a teenager who is wondering what he or she can do to help the environment.

The Key To Success: some children and their parents will appreciate this one. Scour the second-hand shops for an older or even an bizarre money box. Fill the money box up to a certain level with various coins that bring that level up to the value that you want to give, but leave plenty of space for the child to put money in too. Who do you give the key to? That depends on how well you know the child.

Starting A Collection: this is a brave, but good one. If you know the child well or are willing to take on a commitment (such as a godparent should), you could select a set of collectables, like plates, glasses or coins and buy two or three examples to start the collection off. You can add to it every year. Others will be grateful to you too because they will jump on the band wagon.

In The Bag: if your friend is an invalid or just is temporarily in hospital, it is helpful to provide a wicker basket or a nice bag full of useful items. Choose the items to suit your friend, but everyone might like a writing pad, a pen, a comb or brush, wet wipes or tissues, a small book of verse, a miniature radio with ear plugs, a mirror, straws, a bottle opener, only you know, but you get the idea, I’m sure.

Stamp It: you can buy a large packet of literally thousands of foreign stamps for very little. Buy a stamp album and hinges and you could start a lifelong obsession. It also gives you gift ideas for years to come too.

Owen Jones, the author of this article, writes on many subjects, but is currently involved with researching Fanklin planner pages. If you have an interest in calendars, organizers or promotional calendars, please go over to our website now at Promotional Desk Calendars