Especially Gifted

The giving of a gift can be a challenging time for people when they are trying to keep to a budget but there are many ways this can be done for low cost and yet I think spectacular gifts can be given with more love and meaning than if you could afford expensive items.

The gift for my sister-in-law's recent birthday is a case in point. She always gives thoughtful and interesting presents and I always want to reciprocate with something just as thoughtful that she will love. I am of the belief that once you give a gift the person is then able to do with it as they wish  - whether that be to keep it or not. I feel people should never be obliged to hold onto things that don't bring them joy so it is always a lovely feeling when you see people continuing to get pleasure out of something you have chosen for them.

I have a side hustle buying and selling beautiful porcelain, crystal, pottery and linens that stems from my joy in finding beautiful things and making them available for others to enjoy (more on this in a future post...). I love the thrill of finding unloved items, washing them and making them shine again. These crystal liqueur glasses were dusty and grimy on the shelf of the thrift store as was the solid crystal dish. I snapped them up for a grand total of $17 for the lot, took them home and washed and dried them until they sparkled! I added a bottle of locally made Irish cream liqueur that is just as good but more than half the cost of Baileys and I wrapped and packaged them in gift wrapping items I already had. I enjoyed wrapping it all to make it look appealing, I was pleased how it all came together and hoped the gift would be something that gave her pleasure - pretty things to look at and use, a lovely liqueur to sit and savour from a pretty crystal glass. She seemed delighted with it! I loved knowing that it was reusing items rather than buying all new things so can only be good for the planet!

Other gift ideas that can mean so much and not have a big impact on the environment include handmade items you have crafted yourself, weaving love into each one. Vouchers for an experience or a night class they will long remember after it is over. Home baked items that they can savour. A book of photo memories that you have carefully curated and but is unique to them. These all seem worth far more than many purchased items which can lose their appeal after a while.

What ideas do you have for gifting to others that are meaningful yet low cost and avoid the consumer trap? All ideas are welcome!