{mosimage}Christmas gifts don’t have to be expensive to be heartfelt and generous. With Christmas day upon us, there is still plenty of time to put together something memorable. To help you out, members of the Youth Speak News team have kindly shared some of their favourite gift and wrapping ideas that are meaningful and different.
Gift ideas
- Buying for somebody prayerful? Get them a Catholic youth Bible or a youth-focused book of devotions.
- Looking for something really original? Buy a church kneeler — religious residences or churches sometimes have kneelers that are no longer in use and are willing to part with them for a donation.
- Into photography? Buy a frame and insert a “coupon” for a family photo shoot.
- With existing photos, make a photo album about that person’s life. Add little captions to remind them of the stories behind the photos.
- Love baking? Buy an inexpensive gift bag/box and fill it with treats you’ve made yourself.
- Are you the next Michelangelo? Make a portrait of your friend/family member. It can be a realistic sketch or a fun and colourful abstract version of them. Frame it for a professional look.
- Into crafts? Buy some interesting beads from the dollar store along with clasps and earring backs to make unique bracelets, necklaces and earrings.
- The gift of affirmation: get a box and some stationary (or make your own), then get many of your loved one’s family, friends and co-workers to write affirming little notes that say how special that person is or what they mean to them.
- Put together a gift basket/box with favourite candy and chocolates, along with a gift certificate to that person’s favourite store.
- Write a coupon redeemable for chores that need to be done around the house (e.g. grocery shopping, baby sitting, washing the car, etc.) or one that entitles the receiver to a home-cooked dinner prepared by you.
- For the literary types, compose a poem in honour of your loved one — let it be comical or serious, but sincere, caring and fun. For more flair, type it up on fancy paper and put it in a frame.
Wrapping ideas
- Layer wrapping paper and hide sweet little notes in each layer for the person to find.
- Make the present as hard to get into as possible. Half the fun is figuring out how to get it open.
- Get assorted boxes and wrap your present in the smallest box possible. Then put that inside the next largest box and so on.
- Buy decorative little boxes from the dollar store to put your gifts in.
- Wrap with old newspaper and cover with festive cut-outs from magazines and flyers.
