The Gifting Tree

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The Gifting Tree

Tuesday, November 07, 2017
     Yup, it is the Holiday season already. I always think the years keep getting shorter, but now I'm pretty sure it's just that I keep getting older.  So lets not dally and cut to the chase.
     I strive to find personal gifts for family and friends. I believe less really can be more and that a single meaningful gift is worth much more than multiple generic, one-size-fits-all purchases. Gifts from heart spread love.
     Thoughtful gifts don’t have to be expensive, but they do need planning. I listen when people I love talk. I pay attention to their hobbies and interests and I plan accordingly. Clearance shopping is only a good sale if you get stuff you will actually use. Keeping that in mind, I pick up items year round (yes, I am one of those people).
     In this example my best friend is a fishing enthusiast and a Bah Humbugger at Christmas.  It is always great to get twofers!! Most major retailers do full departmental resets twice a year. Sporting Goods is usually in January, but any sale anywhere is prime shopping. I picked up basic tackle box fillers: small lures, bobbers, fish stringer etc. I also used a mini Christmas tree and lights I bought during the previous year's After Christmas Sale.  I used a cake topper as the tree topper but I hadn't found it yet when I took the picture. Then all it took was an hour or so of time and a gift is born.  Fun, inexpensive and she LOVED it.
     I'd give detailed instructions on this but it is a pretty straight forward activity. So here's the outline:
  1. Get out the Gift Stash
  2. Break into the Christmas boxes
  3. Spread all the parts out on the table
  4. Decorate the tree (in this case watch out for those hooks)
  5. Wrap, bag, or whatever
  6. Give it to the recipient.
     
     For this gift, I probably spent $20 or so, but spread out over the year (I should keep receipts so I could be more accurate). I also didn’t formally give it to her. I went to her house while she was at work, set it up as a centerpiece on her kitchen table, did her dishes as a bonus and let it surprise her. Made her very happy and I got the added benefit of a warm and fuzzy feeling.
     I've added a photo so you can see how mine turned out.  Make your own Gifting Tree for that special someone. You can use any small items: costume jewelry, small makeup items, collectibles, etc. It doesn’t have to be themed, collect any odd or end that applies to that person or use inspirational quotes, I love you because… slips, paper promises (this paper is a back rub, yard mow, floor mop or whatever). You could even use colored trees and use them for Valentine gifts, Easter offerings, Birthday, Graduation etc. No limits and no rules! Have FUN!!!
    

    

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