Gift Ideas for the Valentine’s Day Panicked

Valentine’s Day is two days away…

If you are someone searching for a gift to say just the right something, there is still plenty of time.

For some they are looking for the gift to express a love burning bright from deep within their hearts; for others it might be I like you.

Valentine’s Day isn’t just about romantic love (eros), but is also a great time to show love for family and friends (storge or philia).

It’s easy to get caught up and overwhelmed when you see celebrities giving supremely expensive gifts – cars, diamonds, electronics, etc. However, gifts don’t have to cost a fortune, a few inexpensive items when put together create a statement with a  big bang! Remember it’s not what you give but what you are saying with the gift and to keep in mind where the gift is coming from–the heart.

Something as simple as a map to somewhere that person dreams of visiting with the quote: “No road is long with good company.”  ~Turkish Proverb

One year, someone very dear to me had a dream car they held in their mind of one day owning. It wasn’t just the car but rather what it represented – the success of his business. Also, he worked so hard for all those in his life he cared about – family and friends; I so badly knew he deserved something for himself, something that was all his. I was realistic; I was not a wealthy person and I knew that I couldn’t afford the car but I wanted him to understand that I saw him and that I supported him – I went and found the car in the toy section. I wrapped it up and attached a handwritten note that read, “You deserve the world. This is just a place holder…” He later shared that the thought of it made him tear up.

A few quick ideas for gift “baskets”

For friends:

Movie lover: Grab a box of popcorn, hit up the candy aisle for the movie-size boxes; then head online to print out an e-certificate for a movie to Redbox or Amazon. Place all the items in a popcorn bucket and wrap it all up in cellophane wrap. (The dollar store is awesome for these items!)

Sports fan: Grab their favorite team hat and attach it to a gift certificate to the local wing restaurant, or a certificate from their cable provider so they can catch that next big fight. If you want to go all out get tickets the next time their favorite team plays then have some fun with it and place them in something least expected on Valentine’s Day, like a book that looks less than interesting, some everyday underwear or some odd food item then wrap it all with a bow.

For kids:

Crazy, colorful fun socks fold in half, fill with bows/barrettes, add a small notebook with their favorite color pen (two goddaughters – one loves purple, the other pink)

I sometimes hit up the small toy aisle and grab either a small Lego toy kit or Beyblade add to it some yummy treats.

For Sweethearts/Paramours:

To express those deepest of emotions, you can express the ethereal with a few simple evocative items:

In a beautiful container (maybe something that looks like a treasure chest) place a few items to represent parts of you or ideas you wish to express. For example: place Hershey Kisses, a really indulgent lotion, an inexpensive DVD of either comedies or cartoons (can be found in discount/discontinued stores), and some pretty stationary. On small tags attached to each item write what they represent or perhaps add a quote.

Kisses:

‘Twas not my lips you kissed; But my soul” – Judy Garland
“A kiss seals two souls for a moment in time.” ~Levende Waters

At the first kiss I felt
Something melt inside me
That hurt in an exquisite way
All my longings, all my dreams and sweet anguish,
All the secrets that slept deep within me came awake,
Everything was transformed and enchanted
And made sense.

~Hermann Hesse

Lotion:

Write about how much you longer to pamper the person

DVD:

You fill my life with joy or “Once you find someone to share your ups and downs, downs are almost as good as ups.”  ~Robert Brault

Stationary:

Express the desire to pen a love note to them everyday or

But it was your letter within, dear heart, my first love letter, and sweeter to me than the subtlest love-lyric Sappho ever penned in Aeolic gold. ~Byron Caldwell Smith, letter to Kate Stephens

All in all don’t sweat too much over what you are giving someone for Valentine’s Day, whatever you choose just remember the intention with the thought in mind of:

If you were going to die soon and had only one phone call you could make, who would you call and what would you say?  And why are you waiting?  ~Stephen Levine

Christmas is coming and the goose is getting fat…

How can I create a gift that doesn’t fall flat?

This is the last weekend before Christmas and the weekend to make the mad dash to finish your gift shopping.

Even though we are in the homestretch, there is still plenty of time to find a meaningful gift.

When thinking a gift basket don’t always take it so literal. Think of a gift basket a group of items that when put together create one meaningful gift. Imagine the items as words and when strung together tell a story.

If you can’t find “the” gift why not find the items to create it. Think about what it is the person you wish to create for really loves to do? What are their passions and loves?

Writer

Beautiful pens to create, inviting journal to dream, place it together with a gift card (it doesn’t have to be a large amount, maybe $5;  a coffee shop would be great so they can grab a tasty warm beverage to sit and take a moment to write).

Sports enthusiast

Most enthusiast are always looking for something to improve their “game” and most times it only takes a small tweak or just that little something to add a little “umph” to their game. I had a girlfriend who loved golf and was an advocate for breast cancer awareness and I found pink ribbon balls in Target along with a pink ribbon golf towels and tees placed them in clear wrapping tied up with a beautiful pink bow – I knew her passions and spoke to them. As a runner I can honestly say there are some days when I just don’t “feel” like it but often it only takes a small incentive to get me to go like a new case for my mp3 player or a nifty runner’s wallet to attach to my shoe. Sometimes it’s as  simple as some brightly colored socks.

Photographer

Photographers can particular about their equipment (and software) but there are some things that all of them can use – an easily accessible lens cleaning cloth, a small photographer’s journal to write down the information of a shoot, maybe a clip pen to attach to their pack (Staples usually carries a relatively inexpensive pen that writes upside down and over grease and in the rain), if this person is a budding professional why not show your support by getting a gift certificate to a local printing shop to have professional photographer contact cards printed (many companies offer 100 cards for a nominal fee) and attach a note to encourage them to follow their dreams.

Sometimes it’s as simple as buying a few thoughtful items and placing them together in an item they can continue to use.

Wine lover’s gift basket:

Something they can collect favorite corks in (cork tray to stash faves in or a cork trivet base), visit a thrift store to score some great antique coasters — many of which will fit a wine bottle.

Add a little note with a quote like:

“Wine is one of the most civilized things in the world and one of the most natural things of the world that has been brought to the greatest perfection, and it offers a greater range for enjoyment and appreciation than, possibly, any other purely sensory thing.”
― Ernest Hemingway

or

“Wine is sure proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.”
— Benjamin Franklin

Have someone who love’s Martini’s?

I had a friend who adored Pomegranate Martini’s. I hit up Pier 1 for  a really decorative Martini glass, stopped by the grocery store for a small bottle of pomegranate juice, went right next door to pick up a single of vodka and small bottle of orange liqueur. I then typed up the recipe on the computer and printed it out on cardstock paper. I placed the juice bottle on a medium sheet of clear wrap (usually available at Target, Walmart or any craft store like Michael’s), then placed the martini glass on top, added a few glue dots to the small bottles of “libations” to ensure they stay connected to the juice and upright. Tied it all up with a bow at the top.

A gift basket doesn’t have to be large or really expensive. The point of a gift basket is to show that you really know that person and truly care about their dreams and passions.

 

 Wrap it up with a bow, and complete the package with a quote that expresses the sentiment you’d like to share or one about the hobby.

Three simple items – a beautiful pen and inviting journal, along with a gift card – create a thoughtful gift.

Stuck on what to get co-workers, those you fellowship with, and teachers?

Quick and easy gifts to celebrate people during the holidays

Often we want to remember everyone on our gift list but find that the list quickly gets long and the funds grow short even quicker. 
Here is an easy way to remember the co-workers with which you spend probably more than a quarter of your week with, children’s numerous teachers, or the others that share your life and bring it joy.

I do these gift “baskets” every year and each year they are well received. You can change-up the theme and the contents according to the type of job you have or if the recipient is male or female.

Simple items and creative packaging make for thoughtful gifts for co-workers, teachers and fellow parishioners. Don’t be afraid to get creative/practical and to use other than traditional holiday colors.

Quick suggestions:

• tissues
• hand lotion
• mints/gum for afternoon pick-me-up
• I have found the matchbook emoryboards to be very popular (nothing worse than a nagging ragged nail all day)
• hand sanitizer

Possible additional items:

Think what do I often find myself looking for in church?:

• a pen to write down that important point the minster shared
• a journal to keep them organized and close at hand

All these items are relatively inexpensive; especially when you buy a bulk package and break it down. Look to your local “dollar store” for a bigger deal on the contents as well as the packaging — ribbons, mittens, party treat bags, cellophane wrapping, etc. The sample/travel size aisle in the drug store is also a treasure trove of little holiday gifts to say “I want to celebrate you.”

Have fun with the packaging, get creative but don’t overthink it. Remember: this is stress-free.

*This is an excellent vehicle for direct sellers of cosmetics to express appreciation to loyal customers