Meaningful Christmas Ideas

It seems this year has gone by with lighting fast speed, and here we are just a little over a month away from Christmas!   Last year I was able to make so many gifts, and it made Christmas so much more meaningful and special.  So this year, I couldn’t go back to  buying something just to have a gift to give.  Maybe like me you’re searching for meaningful Christmas gift ideas.   I’d love to help you out!

Shop Local…

Yes, this is a rather well-known movement, but for good reasons.  When you buy from a small business, someone on the other end of your purchase really does do a happy dance.  Nearly, ten years into my business and I still get excited with every single wedding, senior and session that books with me.  You’re purchasing a gift for a loved one, while also helping someone pay their bills, send their child to dance or sports camp, the list could go on and on.  I started my business to help save to send our kids to college.    Knowing a gift helped support a small business, makes the gift more meaningful to me as whether I’m giving or receiving the gift.  There are so many wonderful small businesses in our town I don’t have time to list them all.  A few are…

A Perfect Blend—so many wonderful finds!

More than Mail – they have a small selection of gifts, including Doug & Melissa toys.  If you know someone who ships on a regular basis a gift card would be fabulous; shipping is expensive!

Harvest of Health– they carry everything from vitamins and supplements to teas and home décor.

Perfect Pet– all things pet related as well as pet training classes.

Forgotten Children Worldwide– they carry a small selection of items made by the communities they serve in impoverished countries.  Buying at FCW you are contributing to a good cause, empowering those in impoverished countries to break the cycle of poverty, and giving a unique gift.

…Shop Small

I had to circle back to include this one.  I’ve never met a mom, grandma, etc. who didn’t love pictures of her family!  Give her prints, a picture ornament, an album…  Set up a family session, give her a gift certificate for a local photographer, anything to get pictures of her family in her hands/on her wall.  Note:  this was not mean to be a plug, it’s just a good gift idea. ?

I’m making a few gifts this year, but don’t have to time to make as many as I’d like.  I know a couple people who have talents, but haven’t yet launched a full fledged business.  I asked them if they would make Christmas gifts that I could buy from them.  They were both so excited to do so!

Shop Small and Local from Far Away!

I have a small knitting shop on Etsy and was thrilled when I was asked by a friend to knit a gift for them to give!  It made my heart so happy!  You don’t have to know someone with the skills, just hop on Etsy and you can find a myriad of crafts, from knitting to jewelry, to personalized cutting boards and plant pots, just to name a few!

Local coffee shops carry coffee, mugs, t-shirts, etc.  and who wouldn’t love a gift card for coffee with a friend!  My local favorites are Hughes Bakery & Coffee Shop and Crimson House.  There are a multitude of locally owned restaurants, coffee shops and sweets shops wherever you live.  Visit them to find out what all they offer.

Our daughter moved to Massachusetts a couple years ago.  It has been fun to learn of local shops there.  We’ve order her gift certificate for places she enjoys, like her favorite coffee shop and bookstore.   Even though you may not be close your loved one can think of you every time they use the gift card. ?   If you live near the gift recipient, make plans to enjoy the gift card with them, because time together is the best gift of all.

Gifts for the Big Picture

I cannot say enough good things about Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University.  My husband and I had followed Dave Ramsey and worked to spend and save by his principles for years.  Still when we took the class, we learned things we didn’t know and found a renewed sense of importance to being good stewards of our resources.  This is a fabulous gift idea for a newly engaged or newly married couple.  Starting marriage with the same goals, expectations and helpful amount of  financial knowledge will benefit them their entire lives.  I’m so very blessed my husband had a good amount of financial knowledge before we got married.  I did NOT.   Being debt free isn’t easy, it isn’t shiny and new, but it is incredibly freeing.   Helping anyone have the knowledge to make good financial decisions will be a huge blessing to them, their future children and anyone who will give the principles a try.

Do you know someone who is struggling? A loved one could be struggling financially, health wise, or adding to their family.  On the opposite end of the spectrum from shop small…. a Walmart gift card can be a blessing to about anyone.  It can help pay for groceries, prescriptions, diapers, or any other necessity when you add to your family.  Know someone who does housekeeping?  Contact them to set up housekeeping for someone who could use it.  It could be an elderly person, someone recovering from surgery, or new parents who could use all the help!  Make some freezer meals to give to a family who could use them.  Set up one of the many meal services for a few months.  I’ve never tried one so I can’t give a recommendation but there are many.  Here is a list of the Top Ten Meal Delivery Services.

Gifts for Wellness

We all know being fit and active is good for everyone!  For young and old alike, we are hearing more and more about how staying active is an important component of healthy living and aging.  You can give so many gifts to help others be healthier.  From fitness wear or a gift card for equipment from a local store like Fleet Feet or Summit City Bike (or from a big box store too. ?).  Give a year membership to the local YMCA or fitness center.

Want to exercise from home, I love The Balanced Life!  Such an encouraging group to be a part of!  The membership includes a whole library of Pilates videos, a library of healthy recipes, merchandise if you’d like and an exclusive Facebook group that is so encouraging and supportive!  An annual pass to a local zoo, museum, or state park, all are great choices that will help your loved ones get out and move.

Services aren’t having employ or supply chain issues.  Gift cards for a massage, a haircut, an oil change, and any other service you can think of would be a blessing to the person who uses it.

Note: The Balanced Life link is an affiliate link

Powerful Gifts

My grandma’s former neighbor celebrated her 100^th birthday a few years ago.  What do you give someone who is turning 100 and has travelled the world?  I hadn’t seen her in years, I didn’t know her likes, her needs, her size.  What I did know was how much fun I had with her when I was growing up.  So, I wrote her a letter telling her how much she meant to me. (Actually, she was 100 so I typed it up in large print font).  I was very transparent it was kind of embarrassing.  Usually I don’t let my guard down that much.  I hoped my mom and aunt wouldn’t read it.  That letter meant so much to her she had her niece blow it up bigger and laminate it so she could keep it!

One of the best gifts I ever received was from my daughter.  We call it an I love You Jar.  She put so much thought and effort into such a thoughtful gift.  She wrote reasons she loved me on little slips of cardstock and folded them and filled a jar with them.   Some were fun and silly, some moved me to tears and some I didn’t think anyone noticed.  The next year I gave her an I Love You Jar.  When I shipped it, the lady at the shipping store said she wanted one!  Anytime I’m feeling low, I can pull out that jar my daughter’s words pour love into my heart and buoy my spirits.

I hope this post has inspired with ideas for meaningful gifts to give this Christmas season, or for any occasion–including just to let someone know you are thinking of them.

blessings,

Julie