Save Your Money – Low-Cost, No-Craft Gifts You Can Make in an Hour
If you’ve got someone on your list who has everything, or you are one of those people whose bank account has barely nothing, then read on! I’ve got three gift ideas for you that you can easily pull together in the next few days. Any of the three can be done without spending a dime. And the best part? The recipient’s gonna love ‘em! (And you!)
1. Make ‘em a Love List.
One of my all-time favorite gifts for someone who has everything is simply a list of reasons why you love him.
Say you want to make this really unique gift for your husband. All you have to do is set aside an hour of quiet time in which you can focus on him. Just sit down with some paper or at the laptop and start brainstorming what you love about your wonderful husband. Jot it all down. Think about qualities that are unique to him, things he does for you, special times you’ve shared together. Think about his quirky jokes or stories. How he always spends time helping the elderly lady next door. The way he makes up songs in the shower. How he saved the day that time in New Mexico. Tell him you love that he always answers the phone with a hearty “Hey there!” That he taught the kids how to ride their bicycles. That he can always make you giggle. Tell him you love his eyes, his intelligence, his love of puns. Tell him you love how well he treats Champie, the family’s four-legged, furry gal.
Your list can have twenty things or two-hundred things. It can be written in pen on a plain white piece of paper. Or you can do a fancy design on the computer and print it out. You can add a photo or two. You can draw a picture on it. You can frame it. Use your imagination.
Alternatively, you could make a list of things you’ve learned from this person or your fave memories of times with them. Same process as above. It could also be three top ten lists: what I love best about you, my favorite memories of times we’ve shared, and things I’ve learned.
These lists are treasures for someone to hear. I swear to you, they are the best gift someone can receive. It is amazing to receive a gift that mirrors who you are. It is a gift to be seen. And unfortunately, people often don’t get to hear these kinds of things in their lifetime. For some reason in our culture, folks wait until funerals to express their love. Love Lists are a way to express your love and appreciation NOW!
Simply Celebrate has made it really easy for you by creating a free PDF download list that is a ready-made gift.
2. Go for experiential, rather than material.
One of the other things I always suggest for those folks who have everything is a gift that can be experienced together.
Can you give a handmade certificate good for a free jazz concert at the community music center, an upcoming art festival, or a surprise adventure or beautiful hike? Does your loved one have a favorite hobby that you can join in somehow? Could you plan an afternoon at a historic location and the two of you bring your cameras to feed his love of photography? How about morning birdwatching followed by a cup of tea at a local cafe? Could you plan an art day with a child or teach your best friends how to dance?
What people of any age, but especially adults, really want is quality time with people they love. Give the gift of your time and attention.
3. Lend a Hand.
Another great gift for someone is something that helps them out. Again, think about making a simple certificate you can give them which could be handmade or printed out. You could set up a new program on her computer or cook a gourmet dinner at his house. You could make a gift certificate good for babysitting the kids one Saturday night so their parents could go out on the town. If you have handyman skills and you notice she needs something replaced, you could buy all the parts and do the work. You could make a gift certificate good for “Three hours of at-your-service help around the house.” Think about this person and what kind of help they need or what kind of help would make life more fun.
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written by: Sherry Richert Belul
Sherry Richert Belul is founder of Simply Celebrate and author of Present Perfect: It Really is the Thought That Counts —an ebook that includes dozens of no-to-low cost gifts that are fun to make and full of love.
