If you think back to Christmases of the past, what are the gifts that you have received that have really meant the most or made you the happiest? I remember one year when I was younger I had been asking for a particular doll for a while and had wanted it for ages (a Pocahontas Barbie in fact where her dress changed colour in different temperatures just FYI). And I remember opening my gifts on Christmas morning and being overjoyed that it was there; Father Christmas had been listening 😉
So with that in mind as I’ve been doing my own Christmas shopping, I have been thinking about what is going to be the best gifts to give to my children, as well as to others. Here are some of the things that for me, really mean the most when it comes to gifts.
Christmas Stocking Gift Bag by Dilly Dally Designs
Gifts That Are Perfectly Suited To The Recipient
If you are buying or making a gift for someone, then it really helps if the gift is completely suited to them. A lot of people can make the mistake of choosing something that you would like, rather than what the recipient would like. Unless the recipient likes exactly the same things as you, then it really shows that no thought has gone into it and they know it is very ‘you’ rather than very ‘them.’
Personalised Christmas Eve Box by Dust & Things
Gifts That Are Useful
I don’t know if it is just me as I get older and have to think about housing a lot of the stuff at home, but I am all for a gift that is actually useful, and not just something that takes up space. I remember doing a Secret Santa at work where the budget isn’t huge. But I still managed to get something for the person I was buying for that was useful and not just tat. I got given an X-Factor kids microphone (you know the kind that echoes) as my gift, and not to sound ungrateful, but it was just a waste of money as it isn’t something that I’m going to ever use.
Personalised Kids Book by My Magic Name Personalised Children’s Books
Gifts That Are Personalised or Handmade
I am all for a gift that is personalised. It just means so much more than something bog-standard off the shelf, and really has more of a handmade feel about it, because it will have had to have been! It also shows a lot of thought and consideration as the person buying will have chosen it, and needed to order it in enough time to get it to you with the handmade or personalised touches. The good news is that you don’t have to do it all yourself if you’re not a crafty person (I’m not at all). There is a fantastic gift and decoration selection at Amazon Handmade, for example. So it can be done online and delivered right to your door in time for Christmas.
Gifts That They Don’t Already Have
Getting gifts for others that they don’t already have is always going to be a good thing. For starters, it shows that you’ve really thought about them and what they might want, rather than just getting them anything and not checking if they already have it. Plus, unless they’ve told you that they’d really like a new hairdryer, for example, then it can be an unwanted gift that you give them, if you get them something that they don’t need or even want. So it does make a difference to check what they already have.
Have you done your Christmas shopping yet? If you haven’t, hopefully these ideas and tips can help you to get the perfect gift for the people on your list. It would be great to hear what you think.
*collaborative post
I love the idea of Christmas eve boxes. My parents always gave us PJ’s and stuff as kids before Christmas eve boxes were even a thing x
It’s such a fun tradition to have!
I really adore gifts that are either personalised or handmade as they make me feel really good & I feel I develop a sense of attachment with such gifts.
Absolutely and they come out year after year!
These are great ideas! I especially love the persoanlised Christmas stocking, maybe I will even pick one up for my husband!
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Bet he’d love it!
Oh I haven’t heard of Amazon handmade before, that sounds great, I love personalised gifts. Off to check them out.
We’re sure you’ll find something you’ll love there, so many lovely things to choose from
Personalised gifts are always brilliant at this time of year. A little something extra special!
Definitely!
These are great ideas, I’ve finished and wrapped my Christmas shopping 🙂
Fab! Well done for getting so organised
These are all soo cute and I love that they are customised!! Great gift ideas
Laura x
They are so gorgeous and such a personal touch to Christmas
I love the personalised boxes and Christmas sacks – so much better and environmentally friendly to keep them for the years to come than wasting all that wrapping paper.
Definitely! Especially since we heard that so much wrapping paper isn’t even recyclable, which is shocking!