Inspiration for a joyful and creative life

Last year I gave some ideas for holiday gifts in my ezine and I got several comments from my subscribers about how much they  enjoyed them so I create a whole new list that I’ll share with you.

Here are some ideas that might make your gift giving a little easier this year.  Great gifts don’t have to cost a lot.

Experiences

You can create great memories by giving a gift of an experience or outing.

• Tickets to a Play or Concert

• Tickets to a Sports Event
• A weekend Get Away
• A Hotel or Bed and Breakfast Voucher
• Write up a certificate for a special day with you…maybe to the zoo, a theme park, fishing, or something you know they would love to do.

For the Movie Lover

• Gift certificates to a convenient movie theatre
• Gift basket with a DVD, popcorn, and candied nuts
• A 3 month subscription to Netflix.   http://www.netflix.com
• We got this for my Mother in law for her birthday with a list of our favorite movies we thought she would enjoy. She loved it.

Handmade for the Holidays

• Relive a special memory with a Photo book of a trip or event.

You can put one together with photo prints or download your pictures and plan your album at a site like Shutterfly http://www.shutterfly.com

• Jar Gifts are a fun way to give a gift of food that they can enjoy AFTER the holidays.

You can make some with your own favorite recipes, layering the ingredients for a nice presentation.

This month’s issue of Food Network Magazine has a nice selection of ideas like a curried lentil soup and a holiday panetone bread.

• Holiday Treats.  You may want to play with a new idea and be creative with your gift.  The picture above is cupcakes that my son and I made.  We tried to use melted candy wafers to create designs.  It takes a little practice not to just make blobs but we had a lot of fun.  We will definitely try that again!

• Handmade Jewelry

Check out my handmade jewelry at www.SallyEvansArt.com
Earrings make a great gift. I’ll even gift wrap and ship it for you.

If you would rather let them choose, I have gift certificates available.

Embellish A Ready Made Item

This is a fun and quick way to add a personal touch.

• Add ribbon trim or buttons to the neckline of a nice T-shirt.

• Add embellishments from the craft store to a frame.

• Create a design on a candle with wonder tape and microbeads.

Give a Gift of Laughter

For your loved ones with a sense of humor….

• Freudian Slippers from Uncommon Goods http://www.uncommongoods.com/item/item.jsp?itemId=12062

• Anxiety Sculptures from Uncommon Goods http://www.uncommongoods.com/item/item.jsp?source=family&itemId=17074

Note: these are direct links to those items. I do not have any association or experience with ordering from Uncommon Goods. These were just a couple items I came across that I thought looked fun.

• Your favorite funny movie or book that you think they would like

Gift of Inspiration

• A book of favorite quotes or a book that has inspired you

• Barbara Winter’s Winning Ways newsletters for those on the Joyfully Jobless Journey. I’ve been enjoying a subscription for several years. Check out a free sample here http://www.barbarawinter.com/winning-ways.html

• A CD  of Inspired Artists and Creative Entrepreneurs.  These are interviews I’ve done with some amazing people that are sure to leave you inspired!

A Personalized Gift

How about a silhouette of a loved one or even your whole family including your dog or cat on a set of cards, stationary, or a print?

You could have the children’s silhouettes for Grandma.

Or you can even have a silhouette Needlepoint kit printed to make into a pillow or wall hanging.

These are all available from http://www.Petiteprints.com

Special Gift Card Offers for the Holidays

The last couple of years, several restaurants and some stores have had special offers for gift cards during the holidays.

For example, if you buy $100 worth of gift cards, you get a bonus $20 gift card* for free. You could get five $20 gift cards, two $50 gift cards, or any combination.

You might just want to get one for yourself while you are at it.

This year I’ve seen this deal offered for Macaroni Grill, which you can also use the card for Maggianos, On the Border, or Chiles.

https://giftcard.brinker.com/maggianos/GiftCert.asp

It seems to only come up on certain pages so I gave you the link to the Maggianos gift card.  You can click on the other restaurants at the bottom of the page if you want the gift card to show from Macaroni Grill or one of the other restaurants.

Note: *$20 bonus card must be used toward a purchase of $50 or more between 1/1/10 – 2/28/10

Also, the Container Store is offering another similar special. If you purchase $100 worth of gift cards, you will recieve a $25 bonus card.  http://www.containerstore.com/giftcard/index.htm

Check their site for details.

I hope these trigger some ideas and inspiration for you!

Filed under: Ideas, Money Saving Ideas