They say it's the thought that counts, right? Many times those on your gift list can buy themselves a CD, a new sweater, or something else if they really want it. What makes gifts special is putting your thought and heart into it, and hopefully gifting them with something that warms their heart and they didn't even know they wanted. We are enjoying making very personalized gifts this year, with an eye toward letting the recipients know that we are REALLY thinking of them. A computer, printer, and a variety of shipping labels are a few simple things that are helping us accomplish this goal. Here are a few more ideas ...
Candle & Poetry -
This one will take a little thought, but the effect is worth it. Is there someone in your life who is like a beacon to you? Someone who makes your eyes light up when you think of them? Someone whose love is the light of your life? If you are blessed to have someone like that in your life, let them know in a special way. Find a poem that expresses your thoughts to them, and print it out on a large shipping label, using a nice font and perhaps decorated with a little border clip art. Attach the label to a large candle (or to a smooth jar with a candle inside) and your gift is ready. We searched online and found a nice love poem: The Light in Your Eyes My Love / The light in your eyes is the love in your eyes / And the love in your eyes is mine / So the love in my eyes meets the light in your eyes / To wine and dine through time. / And when time has expired and the light has expired / The love will still burn within.
Homemade treats -
Do you have a special treat that everyone loves getting for Christmas from your kitchen? If you don't mind sharing the recipe, it can be a thoughtful little extra to print out the recipe on a larger shipping label (embellish it with a little Christmas clip-art) and affix it directly to the container you fill with your homemade treats, so they will be able to make more when the goodies are all gone. If your goody involves cookie cutters, tie one onto the label as an embellishment and an "extra" little gift. (The same can apply to decorative candies or other "special" little things that go into the making of your treat.)
Personalized stationary -
Create a nice corner or border accent (many of these are available online) and print it out on 20 or so half-sheets of colored text-weight paper. (Test first to make sure the colors will still look nice on the colored paper you select -- lighter colors are better.) Print the border on envelopes in a matching or coordinating color. Shrink the accent and use it to decorate personalized return address labels using a nice script-type font. Print the same accent on blank labels to use for "to" labels. Find a nice pen to add to the set. Use the same design and font to print a cover for your gift onto heavier cardstock, and fold the cardstock, tucking everything inside. Tie it with a ribbon. (You might need to tie the pen separately inside to keep everything together.)
Jar of "nothing" -
Do you have someone who always insists "nothing!" when asked what they want for Christmas? Well, now's your chance. Choose a jar, and print the following on a label: When I asked you what you wanted for Christmas, you told me "nothing." It wasn't easy, but I searched high and low and found this perfect gift for you!" Then tie some raffia or a ribbon bow around the lid, and your gift is ready to present! Make sure of course that the person has a good sense of humor (and you might want to have a back-up gift waiting as well ... or you could attach a gift card under the lid so they really DO get a gift, just don't tell them until after they've enjoyed the joke!). This is also a great idea for bazaars and fundraisers near Christmastime.
Related information --
Printer companies are coming up with advanced printer accessories to help their users make even more creative use of their company's products. Brother printers, for example, use special printer ink in order to maintain the quality of important printed documents. Many common types of printers are available for home-level use in any store that sells computers. The ink cartridge recycling program offers money-saving solutions for printing with cheap and affordable ink cartridges available in the market.
Candle & Poetry -
This one will take a little thought, but the effect is worth it. Is there someone in your life who is like a beacon to you? Someone who makes your eyes light up when you think of them? Someone whose love is the light of your life? If you are blessed to have someone like that in your life, let them know in a special way. Find a poem that expresses your thoughts to them, and print it out on a large shipping label, using a nice font and perhaps decorated with a little border clip art. Attach the label to a large candle (or to a smooth jar with a candle inside) and your gift is ready. We searched online and found a nice love poem: The Light in Your Eyes My Love / The light in your eyes is the love in your eyes / And the love in your eyes is mine / So the love in my eyes meets the light in your eyes / To wine and dine through time. / And when time has expired and the light has expired / The love will still burn within.
Homemade treats -
Do you have a special treat that everyone loves getting for Christmas from your kitchen? If you don't mind sharing the recipe, it can be a thoughtful little extra to print out the recipe on a larger shipping label (embellish it with a little Christmas clip-art) and affix it directly to the container you fill with your homemade treats, so they will be able to make more when the goodies are all gone. If your goody involves cookie cutters, tie one onto the label as an embellishment and an "extra" little gift. (The same can apply to decorative candies or other "special" little things that go into the making of your treat.)
Personalized stationary -
Create a nice corner or border accent (many of these are available online) and print it out on 20 or so half-sheets of colored text-weight paper. (Test first to make sure the colors will still look nice on the colored paper you select -- lighter colors are better.) Print the border on envelopes in a matching or coordinating color. Shrink the accent and use it to decorate personalized return address labels using a nice script-type font. Print the same accent on blank labels to use for "to" labels. Find a nice pen to add to the set. Use the same design and font to print a cover for your gift onto heavier cardstock, and fold the cardstock, tucking everything inside. Tie it with a ribbon. (You might need to tie the pen separately inside to keep everything together.)
Jar of "nothing" -
Do you have someone who always insists "nothing!" when asked what they want for Christmas? Well, now's your chance. Choose a jar, and print the following on a label: When I asked you what you wanted for Christmas, you told me "nothing." It wasn't easy, but I searched high and low and found this perfect gift for you!" Then tie some raffia or a ribbon bow around the lid, and your gift is ready to present! Make sure of course that the person has a good sense of humor (and you might want to have a back-up gift waiting as well ... or you could attach a gift card under the lid so they really DO get a gift, just don't tell them until after they've enjoyed the joke!). This is also a great idea for bazaars and fundraisers near Christmastime.
Related information --
Printer companies are coming up with advanced printer accessories to help their users make even more creative use of their company's products. Brother printers, for example, use special printer ink in order to maintain the quality of important printed documents. Many common types of printers are available for home-level use in any store that sells computers. The ink cartridge recycling program offers money-saving solutions for printing with cheap and affordable ink cartridges available in the market.
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