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It never fails. Whether for an imminent birthday celebration, Christmas, or any other gift-giving occasion, the inevitable question always arises. "What do I get for Uncle Bill?"
Okay, so you don't have an Uncle Bill in your family, but there typically is one or more persons who claim not to want anything or are impossible to choose a gift for. In the process of racking your brain for something, anything, you wind up procrastinating and eventually, hand over a gift certificate in a bland envelope. The gesture is usually accompanied with a phrase similar to "I hope you find something you like" and another unspoken phrase rattling around in your head: "Because I sure couldn't figure out what to give you."
Cost is also another obstacle in gift giving. Unless you're Bill Gates, chances are that you're working within a budget, but still want the appreciative noises that come with opening a meaningful gift. After all, gift giving isn't entirely selfless. There is a wish to make someone else happy and feel a warm fuzzy as well.
So, what's the key to being creative, yet manage to keep the cost down? Personalization and presentation.
We're not talking monograms here by mentioning personalization, but taking the time to note what someone's special interests are. If you have absolutely no idea what someone's special interests are, ask. Make subtle inquiries to find out what they enjoy doing or might need and engage them in a conversation about it. If there's a twinkle in their eyes, you know you can't go wrong gifting them with something in that area. The possibilities for personalization are endless.
Let's get started.
The first thing to do is set a price. Remember to include the price of the "wrapping" aside from the gifts to be presented. The wrapping consists of a container, stuffing, the wrap, and something to tie it all up with. All wrapping materials aren't necessary in every case, however. If you're already confused at this point, don't worry. You'll get a better idea as we move along and will be able to see where you can cut out a few more pennies here and there.
The next step in the process is to have an idea of what you'll be filling the gift basket with. That's where personalization joins the fray. When you know where you're heading, it's time to make the purchases and build your basket.
To give you some ideas of what contents you could possibly include in your gift basket, there are several ideas listed below.
Special Interest:
Do you have an avid reader, writer, photographer, gardener, scrap book fanatic, sports enthusiast, collector, artist, or handyman on your hands? Let's break down a couple ideas so you can get a picture of what this ingenious approach to gift giving takes.
Say the particular person you have in mind likes to wear big, straw hats, crawl around in the dirt, and can name every piece of flora by its proper Latin name. What better way to acknowledge their interest than to collect things they would enjoy. Any appropriate container or basket would do, but one that would serve a useful function would be much more appreciated.
For a gardener, begin with a large terra cotta pot or other garden-type container. Fill the pot with natural straw found in any craft specialty shop. Stores such as Wal-mart carry craft products as well. The straw comes in various colors, but natural or green is more aesthetic for a garden theme gift. If you have the time and desire a more creative flair, plant the pot with grass seeds. It would take a few weeks before sprouting, so if you choose to go that route, be sure to start early.
Strategically place the gifts in the pot. For example, a pair of gardening gloves, packages of seeds, and gardening tools such as a hand shovel and cultivator are excellent choices. If the person doesn't need those items, be creative. Stay with the gardening theme and opt for a coffee cup with a plant or gardening design, botanical papers, and herbal teas. If you happen to be a gardener yourself, include a clipping from your favorite plant right before presenting the gift. In that case, be sure that your wrapping is permeable. Use a piece of netting so the plant can breathe. Settle the pot in the center of the netting and fold up the edges. Once you give the netting a good twist and tuck in any open areas, tie a neat bow with a strip of raffia.
To gift a handyman, a great way to begin is with a galvanized bucket. For stuffing, think of various flexible materials that a handyman might use such as storm window plastic. The average handyman will most likely have a hammer, but there are always odds and ends around the house that are necessities. Include items such as hangers, different sizes of nails, and a Honey-Do List pad of paper.
College Student/High School Graduate
Send a college student off with a basket full of memorabilia from their school. A college sweatshirt for chilly football games, a pennant or pompon to cheer their team on with, a school mascot mug stuffed with cocoa mix, and a bag of popcorn to kill late night munchies. Some other items you might consider giving a college student include quarters for laundry and a phone card to call home with, although the overall price of your gift will likely increase.
Wedding
Newly married couples are typically well provided for at their receptions. Most of us who have traveled even a few miles away from home for just a weekend know that we usually need time to recuperate from our vacations. Instead of risking the possibility of doubling up on gifts and giving the happy couple a second crock pot, give them a honeymoon-after-the-honeymoon gift basket. Select a pair of candlesticks, candles, massage oil, incense, an incense holder, and a bottle of wine. Add a tag with a romantic poem and instructions on pampering themselves on the bow.
His/Hers
For a special female friend, family member, or even your significant other, choose items such as a romance novel or a book from their favorite genre, bubble bath, a pair of slippers, and flavored coffees. For a hard to buy man in your life, choose a theme of interest such as sports, computer technology, or hunting/fishing. To illustrate a computer technology theme, some ideas on gifts include floppy disks, blank CDs, a surge protector strip, headphones, and a mousepad. Remember though that men love to be pampered as well, so they wouldn't object to a basket with aftershave, bubble bath, and a pair of slippers.
Baby
Babies, for as small as they are, need so many things. Choose a theme such as medical care or safety that the average attendee at a baby shower wouldn't consider. For safety, include items like drawer and door catches and electric plate covers. For a basket full of medical care, include a bottle of Pedialyte, infant Tylenol, a medical desk reference book, and a thermometer.
Children
Children's interests are always changing, but education is a constant. Flash cards, workbooks, and science projects can keep a child busy for hours. However, education is just one theme. If you have a desire to introduce a child to music or art, include tapes, books, and toys with those concepts in mind. Be creative and be colorful.
House Warming
A fabulous way to help make people feel comfortable in their new home is to present them with a house warming gift. A couple of ideas to get people started off in their new environment are to load a laundry basket full of laundry products like detergent, softener, dryer sheets, and bleach or provide them with a colander filled with kitchen utensils or an Italian dinner ready-to-make. Include pasta, pasta sauce, a bottle of wine, wine opener, and a loaf of Italian bread.
Bon Voyage
If you know someone who is vacation bound, gift him or her with a basket of items to make their travel more enjoyable. A travel coffee cup, maps or atlas, and snacks would be very welcome.
Gourmet Goodies
Noone can resist a collection of scrumptious, homemade goodies and it's a clever way to keep the price of a gift down while being creative, too. If you have a knack in the kitchen, strap on your apron and whip up your own collection of delectable treats. Just keep in mind food items such as cookies, muffins, quick breads, and sealed jams, jellies, or relishes travel better even for a short time than refrigerated items.
An Evening in a Basket
For a date, Valentine's Day, or to commemorate an anniversary, present an evening in a basket at the beginning of the night. Include things like a book of poetry to be read later on, a couple tickets to an event of your choice, and a bottle of champagne. Not a drinker? A sparkling grape beverage works just as well.
To cut off a bit of the cost, simply attach a bow to the finish product. Use fabrics you already have to wrap the gifts or stuff a basket with. Shredded newspaper or comic strips make inexpensive stuffing for a journal basket or comedic theme. Be imaginative and don't forget to utilize your sense of humor. The more personalization you put into your gift, both yours and the receiver's, the more fun it'll be.
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