2008 Woodie Awards
Column: Gift from the heart takes some planning
Julia Gall
Issue date: 12/6/06 Section: The Inside
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So stressful in fact, that you may feel rushed to get your shopping done and end up giving thoughtless or overly expensive gifts with no sentimental value. If you ask me, this is the antithesis of spreading holiday cheer.
Now, if you're still willing to give a pair of socks or another Bath & Body Works gift set, then go for it. But if you really want to impress those you love and fill their hearts with joy, then take a different approach without breaking the bank.
An inexpensive gift does not necessarily mean it is thoughtless. I am a firm believer in making your dollar go further by finding an interesting gem on a college budget.
The first and most important rule of holiday shopping is to start with a spending limit. I'm not asking you necessarily to prioritize how much you'd want to spend on each person on your list, but I'd hope it would be more for your parents than say, your lab partner.
It's a good idea to know how much you want to spend before going into a store, getting overwhelmed and buying just anything regardless of the price.
But what if you're roaming the mall and you stumble upon "the perfect gift" for someone, and it exceeds your limit? Take these thoughts into consideration:
1. Is it really worth the price?
If yes, then go for it, but only if you definitely know the person will like it. Then you'll be happy you made the sacrifice.
2. Is there somewhere else I can get the same thing, but less expensive?
OK, don't look at a designer handbag and then find the knock-off on the street. But say you find a stylish shirt for your friend at an expensive, designer store. Try to see if they have something like it at a store like H&M. Chances are they probably will since from my experience they have a version of pretty much everything at a much reduced rate.
3. Can I make this?
As for making something, I say ONLY if you are 100 percent confident in your crafting skills and are positive you have the time to construct it and execute it properly, then by all means go for it. Hand-crafted gifts are among the top tier of gift-giving excellence, but only if they are made properly.
Consider hobbies or general interests. If you get something for them that you know is within their realm of interest, they will appreciate the thought for sure, and probably enjoy your gift.
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