A Gifting Guide: Create vs. Consume

Value (noun): the regard that something is held to deserve; the importance, worth, or usefulness of something.

How do you determine the worth of something?

Is it size?

Is it price?

Do you base it off its shine? Sparkle? Covetous glances?

 

• The holidays are a time for sharing.
• A time to give and to receive.
• We give thanks.
• Family and guests are welcomed into our homes.
  Hugs are shared.
• Donations are given.
• We gather for meals.
• And, more often than not, we give and receive gifts.

Now, a gift could be one of two things:

1. a present all wrapped up with a bow on top, or

2. a natural talent.

But if we’re being honest, I’d say nine out of ten gift exchanges result in the in former.

• But, why is that?

Giving someone a gift can be a little vulnerable, right? I mean, you’re going out on a limb and surprising them with something you hope (fingers crossed!) they will like, but, really, you have no idea what the reaction will be. This fear of disappointing someone (I think) is what prompts us to give pretty impersonal gifts, ie fuzzy socks, fancy headphones, a new wallet, or practical shoes. These default items can seem “safer” than a more vulnerable, time-consuming gift like a homemade scrapbook, mixtape, or DIY craft. But gifts created rather than gifts consumed are oftentimes the ones we value the most.

In a world that seems to prioritize store-bought gifts (hello, year-end bonuses, holiday sales, and free shipping rates) it’s time to step out of our comfort zone, and change it up this year. Now, don’t get me wrong: if your five-year-old niece says “I want Malibu Barbie’s latest floral bikini with matching sarong,” who are we to say no to a child???

But when it comes to showing our friends and family how much they mean to us, forgoing the omnipresent “trip to the mall” for something a little more meaningful may prove much more valuable. And though we may be thinking, “but UGH it’s so much easier to simply snag a good matching pajama set,” consider personalizing this year’s gifts, and you may realize how giving really can be just as good as receiving.

A Few Thoughtful Gift Ideas

 

• A Personalized Photo Album

 

Maybe you’ve got an eye for design and a love of photography. Or maybe you collect pictures, movie tickets, cards, and memorabilia. Whether this describes you or not, a personalized photo album may be just the thing for a special someone this season. A simple trip to the local craft store will set you up with stickers, page decor, fun pens, and vibrant backgrounds to create something completely unique and memorable. We all know the saying, “a picture is worth a thousand words,” so this year, take the opportunity to leave someone speechless.

 

• DIY Candles

 

I got a little weird in college and starting making homemade soaps and candles, turning my kitchen into a quasi-laboratory, but BOY WAS IT WORTH IT. First, it was so easy and second, it was so cheap. As someone who loves candles, a trip to Target could easily burn though my checking account (too cheesy, or nah?), so making my own candles became a very practical investment. If you have a friend or family member who loves a fresh-smelling home, (or maybe needs a fresh-smelling homes) check out an online youtube tutorial to see for yourself how simple and delightful this gift can be.

 

• Packaged Sweets & Treats

 

I love baking so I feel a bit impartial to this option. BUT – hear me out. Maybe for this season’s holiday dinner parties, you treat the host to a little gift of their own. While it may seem easier to just pick up a bottle of wine or a box of seasonal treats from your local Trader Joe’s, consider packaging your own goodie box. Cookies, granola, nut mixes, anything goes! Taking the extra time to bake, decorate, and assemble won’t go unnoticed, and everyone loves a homemade treat filled with extra Vitamin L (LoOoOOovE) this time of year.

 

• A Handmade Card

 

One of the most meaningful gifts can often be the simplest: a hand written card. Our day-to-day life can resemble that of a rat-race: exhausting, competitive, and even more so during the holidays. When time is so valuable, a handwritten card suddenly becomes a rare commodity. Who has the availability to create a homemade card and fill it with meaningful words and phrases? Well, actually, we all do. It’s simply a matter of prioritization. Set aside an afternoon to create a card your loved ones will cherish forever. The thought and sentiment you’ll be giving them will be forever invaluable.

• What’s the best gift you’ve ever received? The best gift you’ve ever given?
• Last year, I spent the two weeks before Christmas making a cookbook for my mom.
• When she unwrapped the handmade “Meals For Mom” recipe guide, her reaction made the days spent cooking, editing, printing, and assembling totally worth it.  
• Maybe it’s not the sparkly bows or shiny wrapping paper that make a gift valuable.
• Maybe it’s not the price or the size.
• Maybe it’s the effort and thought put into it.
• If we can’t package love, gratitude, and appreciation, let’s show it in more meaningful ways.
• Personalize your gifting efforts this year and I promise the true value will be reflected.