gift giving Archives - Dad of Divas

You know the moment you unwrap a gift, and you see that it isn’t just a plain t-shirt, but rather it is a t-shirt that you had seen months ago. One that you mentioned in passing a few times how cool it was. Not a hint, and not asking for it. But the gift giver had remembered and got it. Or, when you have children, and you open a card that they have used their very best handwriting in and decorated with doodles and stickers.

Photo by freestocks.org on Unsplash

There is something so deeply enjoyable about getting a gift that wasn’t the last minute gift-set, or more body spray. The idea that someone had really considered you and what you like is irreplaceable. You can’t put a price on that. So how do you replicate that feeling and ensure that your friends and family get to enjoy the same thing? Here are a few ways that you can make the gift-giving process personal and individual.

Use What You Know

The art of gift-giving is about using what you know for who you love. And it doesn’t matter if it is a corkscrew or a bag of lavender bath bombs. What matters is that you thought about what the person needs and wants. Really thinking about what you should get on a deeper level. For example, if your friend or a family member has always wanted to be a writer, but never had the courage to start – get them a book or a note pad with guided writing prompts. Perhaps they are a budding photographer, try to unearth some rare photography books and maybe even the means to start shooting.

Gift givers have a tendency to give what they want, rather than what the recipient one. It comes from a place of love but isn’t always what is best for the recipient.

Handmade

Not everyone loves crafting – and that is fair, it can sometimes be a lot of work and not turn out all that great. However, if you have young kids, one of the coolest things you can do is get them involved in creating gifts, making cards, and making the wrapping paper. One of the sweetest gifts, even more for people you don’t see often, is creating a card with photos on like those from MyPostcard Postcard App. You can make so many things very simply with kids, like handmade soaps, jewellery, photo frames, or you can get fancy with monogramming handkerchiefs and other items that can be kept for years.

Experiences Are Cool Too

Sometimes even the best gift will get popped in a drawer never to see the light of day again. Because pretty often we have too much stuff, so giving the gift of an experience is a big deal. There are so many options, like concert tickets, movie tickets, museum and art gallery memberships, race car driving, high-tea at a 5-star hotel, and so on. This means that rather than have the excitement of the gift on the big day, they have something to look forward to.

Memories last longer than socks.

Donations

If you are struggling to find a gift for the person who has everything, perhaps you can give a gift in their name instead. Rather than buy more for people who already have more than enough, you can consider what charities they have given to previously, or what issues are close to their heart and that support. According to Harvard, people get a warm, happy feeling from making a donation, and happier people also donate. These things combined make a happiness loop. You can be responsible for someone being happy over the space of a year with a monthly donation to their favorite charity.

Growth

Many people are on a personal growth path. They want to do more, be better, launch a business, or a blog. Things that will bring them long term happiness, and maybe even change their lives. Have they got a cool business idea? Find them some guidance in the form of books, mobile apps and webinars. Add them all into a box with a new coffee cup and wish them on their way. If they have been saying they want to do yoga forever – get them a mat and a gift certificate for a few sessions.

And as mentioned above, if they want to try photography out, arrange a day out somewhere that is just heaving with inspiration. Facilitating growth is a really cool thing to give.

Cheques

Time is something that we value very highly, and if you aren’t spending enough of it with the people you love – then they probably feel the same. So, create a personalised cheque book with things that they can cash in at any time. Think about things like:

Coffee on a Sunday morning of their choice
A fancy cooked meal
A cinema date
A walk in the woods
Creating a playlist for them to cheer them up
A night on the Xbox/Ps4/Movies

The key element that makes it work is that it is time with you. And, they can be used at any time until the book is used up. It is a nice excuse for both you and the giftee to kick back and relax.

Cool Gifts To Consider

A custom map or poster of where your friend or family member was born or met their significant others
Framing photos of your together
Engraved watch or other jewellery
Frame their favourite quote
Their favourite song turned into a sound wave

When it comes to giving great gifts, you can give something excellent and memorable without breaking the bank. When they say, it is the thought that counts, that is true. The more thought you put into a gift, the more you will narrow down all of the options and get something perfect for your recipient. A lot of focus is given to buying the most extravagant when what really matters in years from now is how it made them feel and that they still love it.

We do everything that we do for our children, we know that. In most cases, they know that, too, but sometimes it is fun to remind them just how much they mean to you by giving them an extra special treat. Perhaps as a reward for great behavior or working hard at school or being especially kind and helpful or maybe ‘just because’. Along with treating the kids, it is bound to put a smile on your face, so let us share with you 4 ways to treat your kids today.

Take a surprise trip

There are few things likely to excite your children more than taking a surprise trip. It often doesn’t matter too much where you actually go, the fun is in the anticipation. Pack a picnic or eat at your favorite restaurant, enjoy the great outdoors or play in the arcades for hours. You know your kids best, so think about what would make them really smile and take them there.

4 Ways to Treat Your Kids Today

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Give a gift

We all know that it is not all about buying gifts, but if you are going to get them a treat, why not make it a useful one? If you are thinking about helpful gifts, we would suggest thinking long term with donating to savings accounts of making a contribution to the college fund, if indeed college is the right thing for your child. In the shorter term, practical buys such as safe cell phones from https://smarty.co.uk/blog/student-sim or paying for them to take up a new activity or class are likely to be well-received and appreciated for much longer than one day.

Have a movie date

Is there something showing right now that your children would love to see? Then book those tickets and get going, making time for popcorn on the way in. If not, don’t be put off this one as you can always have a movie date at home. Choose an old favorite DVD to watch or stream the latest release and then snuggle down to watch it together on your couch. Try to make it extra special by getting cinema snacks in ready and turning all of the lights out. Now you are at the cinema!

Give them yourself

When was the last time that you said to your kids, ‘I’m all yours’? It can be hard as we juggle so many things, but we all know the benefits of spending quality time with our children, and aside from the benefits to them, it simply makes us happy. So give them the gift of yourself, let them dictate the hour, the afternoon, the day, whatever you can give to them. It can often be surprising what they come up with and you know that you are giving them just what they want, time with you doing whatever they choose. If you have more than one child, it is also great to do this one to one with your kids from time to time.