Every year we spend a lot of time trying to find the perfect gift for our loved ones. The whole family gathers to celebrate this time of the year and an important aspect is the giving and receiving of gifts. Although this is a happy time, the stress of finding exactly what you want can drive many people to despair. Indeed, the weeks leading up to the big day find cities and shopping malls packed with people. That is why we have decided to put together this article to try to find gift alternatives and ideas to try this Christmas.
We think that there is nothing better to receive at Christmas than a gift that someone has taken the time and effort to make. Not only is this more personal and often more appreciated by the recipient, but it can also stop serious damage to your credit cards as you struggle to pay for all those ‘must have’ gifts.
These gifts tend to be preferred as they show the time and effort that has been put into it.
However, if you’re having a hard time coming up with creative ideas, we’ve got a list of great homemade Christmas gifts.
Christmas cake and other treats!
How about baking your own Christmas cake? It really couldn’t be easier as long as you plan ahead. You should bake the cake about 6 weeks before the actual day. There are some great recipes available and you can always add a bit of brandy for an extra kick! Once the cake is made, the icing is easy. All you need to do is design the decoration. If you just want to give slices, for example, to friends at work, you can even design the decoration for the person. There are so many decorations that can be purchased these days, from modern designs to the more traditional ones. You can even buy icing pens to write your own holiday greeting so nothing holds you back. Once you’ve made and decorated the cakes, find some gift boxes to deliver the cake. These will also need to be decorated and then labelled.
If you don’t have the opportunity to bake, you can try making Christmas cookies or chocolate truffles. These are very easy to make and very luxurious with lots of cream and the obligatory alcohol added. This type of gift will always be appreciated, especially during the festive season when everyone loves to indulge in their favorite foods.
Relaxation gifts.
A beautiful gift for someone to receive would be a bath product. There is a wide variety offered in stores, but some are stupidly expensive for what you get. A better idea is to make your own unique bath salts. The internet has plenty of recipes, but if you can’t find one, you can always use my preferred method. All you need are 3 bags of sea salt, 3 bags of baking soda, and some essential oils. Again, you can customize this gift to use the essential oil that the recipient loves. Some popular examples include lavender, citrus, and vanilla. In small jars, mix equal parts salt and baking soda then add a few drops of oil and mix gently. All you need to do then is label the jars and wrap them up for another easy and great gift.
Gift baskets.
Many companies produce holiday baskets filled with gourmet foods, bath treats, and fine wines. However, they charge a fortune and often contain things you would never have chosen. Why not customize a basket for your sender and fill it with all their favorite foods and treats? You could even add a homemade CD with your favorite artists or how about a book by your favorite author.
I hope these ideas help you plan your Christmas gifts without breaking the bank. Just remember that the thought behind a gift is what makes it special!
