- Inexpensive cloth napkins are everywhere.
Make a set an extra special gift by adding your personal touch.
Monogram each one with cross stitch, embroidery, needlepoint or stencil.
Stencil a seasonal design or appliqué on each napkin.
If you're crafty, the sky's the limit. Include a set of napkin
rings.
- Select a large pie or flan dish, fill it with the
number of apples called for in an apple pie recipe along with the
other ingredients and there you have it! A great gift that can
be filled over and over.
- For the traditional English tea drinker. Fill
an exotic box or tin with some special tea and include a tea infuser.
Add some strawberry jam and some scones (or a recipe) to make the
perfect Devonshire tea gift.
- The smell of lavender soothes the spirit.
Stretch its calming affects when you give it as a candle or incense
along with a CD that is equally as soothing. Colour co-ordinate
the wrapping to set mood.
- Is there a traveller on your list? Make their
Christmas gift a travel kit. Fill a nice zipper case with a
travel clock and travel size products such as toothpaste, shampoo,
shaving cream, etc.
- Give a bonsai tree to the gardener without much
space. Include clippers, gloves and care instructions.
- How about a food basket that will remind the receiver of a favourite
place or vacation. Wrap the package in old travel brochures
or maps to hint at the treasure inside.
- A new set of barbecue tools for your favourite outdoor chef, an
apron and a chef's hat to top it off. To keep those pesky insects
at bay you may want to include some citronella candles.
- A first aid kit for the car or boat. This is one of those practical
items that every vehicle or boat should have. Don't forget to include
a first aid booklet.
- Book someone special in for a massage. Inform them of their
gift with a card wrapped in a decorative box. A most relaxing
gift for after the Christmas rush.
- Treat someone to a facial at a plush salon or put together a facial
kit.
- Flavoured vinegar's or oils offer a delicious way to add zest and
excitement to salads, soups, sauces and stews. Give a food lover
several different favours with beautiful edible flowers, fruits or
vegetables floating about the bottles. Need
some help?
- Storage boxes are decorative and useful. Get several different
sizes from the craft store, decorate them with fabric, paints or decoupage,
ribbons and bows. Stack one inside the other.
- Make or purchase pot stands filled with spices. The aroma from the
spice fills the air when hot pots are placed on them.
- Make beautiful holiday glass art from liquid lead and window colouring
paints. Visit your local craft store to see what's available.
Most require some drying time.
- A tool box filled with the basic necessities for hanging pictures,
assembly, measuring, hammering, and the like. Include some fuse wire
for good measure.
- Give away a gourmet dinner kit to the super chef. Fill a
shiny colander with specialty pasta, herbs, utensils, your spaghetti
sauce, (recipe or jar of prepared sauce) and other delights to complete
the meal.
- For something different - how about a house marker. A house
marker is usually metal and can be attached to the house or mounted
to a stand in the garden.
- Put together a package containing a Christmas classic video or
other favourite film, tasty gourmet popcorn and a six pack of soft
drink. A plastic bowl would make a great container in which
to give the gift.
- Christmas Angels are everywhere. Best-selling books on angel history
and stories of angel sightings to angel greeting cards, posters, sweatshirts,
figurines, and jewellery flood the market. Choose one or more
that your friend will love. You may start a collection with
your gift.
Not into Angels - swap Angels for Teddy Bears.
- The nativity scene, or crèche, is a wonderful gift and decoration.
For many, it is reminds them of what Christmas is all about.
- Turn a humble bamboo steamer into a well stocked sewing kit for
someone who is just starting out. Fill it with needles, notions,
colourful thread, scissors, tape measure, pins, fabric marking pens,
etc. Tie up the gift with lots of ribbon to be used later.
- Give a gift voucher for a seasonal flower delivery. Friends
and relatives would love to receive a spring arrangement of tulips,
beautiful summer roses and so on.
- Is that special friend talking endlessly about an upcoming concert,
show, sports event, dinner, etc.? Make it happen if you can
afford it. Give tickets to the event. This Christmas will
be long remembered.
- Christmas decorations and ornaments make great presents to be used
year after year. These can be made or bought. Need
some ideas?
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