Gift Giving Ideas

"The heart of the giver makes the gift dear and precious."


~ Martin Luther

It's been quite awhile since I added something here. I've been busy working on a few handmade Christmas gifts, making lists, and thinking about other gifts to make for the holidays.

As I've worked on my gift list, there are some changes and additions ~ a few younger family members who will be graduating from college this year, and another "20 something" family friend who'll be getting married after receiving his PhD.

If you have some of these young people on your list, here are some ideas for gifts that I've accumulated in my notebook:

GIFTS FOR THOSE RECENTLY GRADUATED AND ON THEIR OWN

~ A date book or wall calendar with all the family birthdays and anniversaries filled in, plus an assortment of greeting cards for those occasions
~ Picture frames
~ A simple, easy-to-follow cookbook and some kitchen supplies
~ Scrapbooks or scrapbooking supplies
~ Personalized address labels
~ Travel accessories if they'll be traveling on business, including the travel size items
~ Subscriptions to their favorite magazines
~ Gift certificates to home stores or large department stores
~ Gift certificates to restaurants
~ A coffee maker and supply of specialty coffees (maybe even a coffee bean grinder) so they can save some money and make "fancy" coffee at home
~ A big box of their favorite homemade cookies
~ Tickets to a concert, show, or sports event
~ Holiday decorations for their new home
~ An emergency "basket" filled with flashlights, batteries, matches, candles, a small fire-extinguisher, and a first-aid kit

GIFTS FOR THE NEWLY MARRIED

~ A tool set for household repairs
~ Picture frames
~ Calendar or date book with the family birthdays and anniversaries ~ from *both* sides of the family ~ filled in, and a supply of greeting cards
~ A handmade recipe book from both sides for the new bride
~ Houseplants, or gardening items and seeds and a book on gardening
~ Cookie cutters or a cookie press and recipes for your favorite cookies
~ Picnic basket filled with supplies for a picnic for two
~ Specialty coffees or teas
~ Subscriptions to favorite magazines
~ A scrapbook or scrapbooking supplies
~ Items in their favorite patterns (china, crystal, silver, etc.)
~ An emergency "basket" filled with flashlights, batteries, matches, candles, a small fire-extinguisher, and a first-aid kit
~ Holiday decorations
~ A special Christmas item to start them off with a new collection they can add to throughout their years of marriage