Promises and Experiences

 

I mentioned experiences and memorable presents last time, so here's my take on that.

You probably find as time goes on that you've got lots of 'stuff' and when asked what you'd like as a present it's not always easy to know what to say. 

Yes there are things that are useful or desirable that might come to mind, but sometimes you end up suggesting a gift just to provide the giver with something to wrap, alternatively you guess at a present for someone so you have a wrapped gift to hand over. It might be that ramping up the 'stuff' that may end up as clutter isn't the best idea!

It was my sister's 60th this year. When we get to a zero ending birthday our family tends to create that many gifts. Imagine how much fun that was the year before last when 30 presents had to be delivered to my niece in Italy (and guess who was going there to deliver them). Now this might seem to be the ultimate in clutter busting and waste, but when the gifts are anything from a pair of socks to a bar of favourite chocolate it's actually much more pragmatic! It's also a great deal of fun discovering what we've all been accumulating for the special day. There may not be one HUGE present to mark the occasion, but the experience and fun on the day make it memorable - and the presents are always useful and wanted.

This year for Christmas my sister and I doing the same sort of thing on a smaller scale by making each other a hamper of presents. Our favourite shower stuff, small chocolate treats, etc. Nothing costing the earth, but everything wanted or needed.

For my Mum's birthday it was the same problem. She didn't want anything big, but couldn't really think of anything in particular. So we made vouchers - my sister's were for things like the take-aways they enjoy together, while mine was for her and any 'responsible adults' that she could find to have cake and coffee or snacks from a local cafe that we've been using as a meeting spot during the latter part of the first lockdown when meeting up was allowed. The 'spending' of the vouchers provided us with lovely experiences to photograph and remember. Oh how easy computers and printers make things!

So vouchers are in the pipeline for Christmas! What might you give some homemade vouchers for? Of course there's nothing wrong with shops' own vouchers or cash, but these are specially made for us to share and enjoy together and are particularly personal.

Be inventive in presenting them too! A card in an envelope is nice, but what about making a mini envelope from old wrapping paper or a printed photograph of where it can be spent, or making a mini bag or using one of those photograph holders where the picture is held by a crocodile clip. 

You could even stitch a small purse to hold them. This is one I made for one of my nieces.

Experiences - they're a great way to extend the present giving into something to look forward to after the main event is done and dusted.