Meaningful Gift Ideas
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Many shoppers feel their stress begin to rise as the holidays approach. Long lines, a shortage of time, and this year in particular, a lack of extra cash can make anyone worry about the upcoming gift giving season.
Working with your family and friends to discuss gift giving openly can be a rewarding experience for everyone. You needn’t break the bank to provide something special for loved ones.
Change Gift Giving Traditions
Here are several ideas that may help you rethink some of the gift giving habits from years gone by.
Exchange names: Many families and co-workers still hold true to the practice of exchanging gifts with everyone. This may be the perfect year to change this tradition. Talk openly with your family and colleagues about drawing names from a hat for exchanging gifts. Rather than having to purchase a dozen gifts, exchange just one meaningful present. This can save a tremendous amount of time, money and frustration.
Re-focus family get-togethers: Are all the kids hanging around the tree waiting to open presents at grandma’s house? Has exchanging gifts become the central focus of your family get-together each year? If so, it’s time to turn your family holiday into making memories. Begin developing traditions for the holidays such as sing-alongs, looking at old photo albums, steaming up homemade cocoa, making wreaths or other holiday decorations, playing board games, etc. Don’t forget to include the grandparents in planning ideas. They likely have wonderful suggestions for creating memories from the past when TV was nonexistent and gift giving was secondary during the holidays.
Give meaningful gifts: Some call it crisis shopping, others call it grabbing anything to fit the list, but we’ve all found ourselves spending time and money purchasing gifts just to make it through the holiday without forgetting someone. Not only does this break the bank, but the recipient isn’t likely to remember or appreciate the gift you’ve purchased. Part of the discussion from step one is to get agreement from family and friends.
Gifts should be meaningful, not expensive. To make this work, expectations need to be addressed up front. If family members are used to expensive equipment, games or electronics, it’s important that this new philosophy be communicated.
Sandy & Sarah’s Famous Peppermint Bark
We’ve shared this special treat each holiday with family and friends. It’s fun to make as a family and even more fun to give!
For a special touch, line gift boxes with festive red cellophane.
INGREDIENTS1 – 11 oz. bag dark chocolate chips
1 – 11 oz. bag white chocolate chips
Several candy canes, crushed
Parchment paper
Melt dark chocolate chips in a double boiler until smooth. Lay out a large sheet of parchment paper on a cookie sheet. Spread out an even layer of melted dark chocolate over the parchment (about 1/8"-1/4" thick). Cool in the freezer for 20 minutes. While cooling, melt the white chocolate chips in a double boiler.
Remove the cookie sheet from the freezer (the chocolate should be hardened) and spread a layer of melted white chocolate over the entire piece of dark chocolate. This should be about the same thickness as the dark chocolate. Sprinkle liberally with crushed candy canes. Gently push candy canes into the white chocolate, just enough so they won’t fall off when cool.
Return the cookie sheet to the freezer and let cool for 30 minutes or until hard.
Break the bark into ragged pieces. Place in cookie boxes lined with red cellophane. Keep refrigerated for freshness.
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