What makes a great gift? It's not
how much you spend, and it's
not giving something the
recipient was hoping for. In fact,
the most memorable gifts are
seldom chosen from a gift
registry. The best gifts are
usually surprises - things the
recipient will love, but didn't
even realize he or she wanted.
When you put a bit of thought
and creativity into a special
present, you'll understand why
people say, "it's the thought that
counts." Here are a few creative
gift ideas that will really show
how much you care:
Honor a Special Year
Whether you are celebrating a
50th anniversary or a milestone
birthday, consider creating a
themed gift basket full of
mementos from a special year.
For example, a couple married
in 1957 might enjoy a gift basket
featuring a Life Magazine
from the month of their wedding,
a replica '57 Chevy, a DVD
of a popular motion picture
from that year, and a gift certificate
to a nearby drive-in restaurant.
Use your imagination!
Used book stores, antique shops
and online auction sites (like
Ebay) are great places to find
items from a particular year.
A Little Help
Do you know a college student
or young person who needs a
little help with their household
chores? Why not give him
(yes...it's usually a young man) a
plastic bucket full of cleaning
supplies. Top it off with a Molly
Maid gift certificate so he can
see how a professional puts
those supplies to work!
A Few of My Favorite Things
Some people love monkeys.
Others can't get enough Disney
merchandise. Maybe you know a
Harley-Davidson fan or someone
who loves the color pink. Create
a special gift by collecting an
assortment of their favorite
things in one box or basket.
Want to know how many
options there are for this type of
themed gift? Go to your favorite
Internet search engine and type
in the words "monkey gift" -
then get your credit card ready.
The Talk of the Baby Shower
If there's one thing new moms
need, it's diapers...and lots of
them. Buy a jumbo-size box of
newborn disposable diapers and
get creative! With some transparent
tape, rubber bands and
your imagination, you'll be able
to create a diaper sculpture.
Build a "wedding cake" or a
"diaper baby." Try decorating
your sculpture with colorful
baby toys, rattles, bibs and pacifiers.
At The Movies
Everyone knows a film buff -
someone who spends every
weekend at the movies. Drop by
your local theater in the afternoon
and purchase a clean,
unused popcorn tub (some theaters
will give you an empty tub
for free if you buy gift certificates.)
Take the tub home and
fill it with DVDs of classic films,
a movie reviewer reference book,
merchandise from a favorite film, candy, microwave popcorn,
and, of course, gift certificates to
the local theater.
