If anything good has come out of the year we’ve just endured it’s hopefully the realisation of what is most important in our lives. It’s not material wealth, it’s not our ‘things’, it’s not what we have over what others have.
It’s our health, and it’s our relationships and connections with those we care about!
So this Christmas let’s all try to do things a bit differently….let’s put real thought and effort into our gifts to our favourite people. And lets also save some of those hard earned dollars!
Try these thoughtful and affordable gift ideas on for size:
- Framed photo or meaningful quote
- Poster of a favourite old school movie
- Jar of favourite lollies, chocolates or biscuits
- Notebook with a handwritten personalised note inside
- A letter telling the story of how you met and what you first thought of them, and what they have come to mean to you
- Funny or cute coffee mug with coffee or tea bags, or hot chocolate mix inside
- Loaf of homemade banana bread wrapped in a colourful tea towel and tied up with string
- Jar of homemade jam or locally sourced honey
- Bunch of your favourite handwritten recipes
- Christmas tree ornament that will remind the recipient of you, or a joint memory you share
- Pancake mix and maple syrup wrapped up with a bow
- Deck of playing cards and a book of games and rules
- Some of their favourite magazines with a block of chocolate
- Puzzle book with a cute pen
- Adult colouring book with a box of pencils
- Bunch of travel size toiletries for when they next go on a holiday
- For pet lovers – a box of treats and a pet toy
- 2 x movie tickets
- Voucher to a book shop.
Take a quick moment for this extra thought
This year, also take a moment to think about the impact of unwanted gifts on the environment. It’s estimated in Australia alone that 20 million Christmas gifts are unwanted by their recipients, so just imagine the statistics globally. These gifts are at risk of ending up in landfill or lying dormant for years to come.
So maybe we can all aim to source just one second hand item, just one! Whether it’s something you already have that you can re-love, or pick up something from your local secondhand store or op shop, or even re-gift something you’ve been given but may not need. Make sure you let your friends and family know that you’re happy to accept the same!