Gifts: Pretty, Thoughtful and Inexpensive

By J. A. Young

Large family, lots of friends - you might easily go broke if you spent top-dollar every time you wanted to give a special remembrance.  But special and thoughtful gifts need not require great expense.  By stocking your gift pantry, considering the person in question carefully, and applying time to your gift selection you can give memorable gifts that are both pretty and thoughtful.

First, often a good amount of expense is taken up by the packaging.  Stocking your gift pantry means giving consideration to items like tissue paper, wrapping paper, tape, bows, ribbons, gift bags, etc…Baskets and fabric can also be used to house gifts.  In your travels to dollar stores, thrift stores, yard sales, be sure to always pick up any items that can used wrap and ornament your gifts like pretty papers and even silk flowers.  Even the clearance bin at your local sewing store can be the beginnings of great stores for creatively wrapping your gift. 

Often craft stores sell plain cardboard boxes.  These can be decorated using decoupage techniques.  Use your artistic ability or craft sense to create elegant packages that can even be reused by your gift’s recipient to store handkerchiefs, doilies, postcards, etc. The package can say a lot about your gift.  If you put time into the outside, it goes without saying that you put time and thought into the inside contents as well.

As for the gifts themselves, the sky is the limit as far as choice goes.  Naturally, the person in question and their likes and dislikes will influence your choice.  However, the following items are general and might be given to a great variety of people.

Most homes have a desk.  A desk set can be a great gift and even tailored to someone’s décor.  If you keep a handy supply of maps in your gift pantry, these can be used to cover a small open-top box to create a pen and pencil holder.  Wrap the item in the map and use a non-toxic sealer to coat.  If you don’t have time to craft other desk components, simply fill your map box with various pens, an interesting letter opener, and add a box of pretty stationery to top it off. 

Dresser items can also be handcrafted, but often, you can find great vintage pieces at local flea markets and antique shops for inexpensive prices.  From old ring boxes to dresser boxes, small interesting items make wonderfully personal gifts.  Consider a small rhinestone picture frame sporting an antique print of lavender or lilacs.  A small bud vase or a small clock decorated with rhinestones can also make lovely gifts.

When you visit local antique or secondhand shops keep a look out for interesting and inexpensive items.  Some wonderful vintage gifts include: pottery, china teacups and saucers, lockets, beads, porcelain figurines, holiday ornaments, picture frames, aprons, small quilts, glass trinkets, etc…Old items can be given new appeal when polished or cleaned up. 

Another sweet inexpensive gift can be a series of small decorated bottles filled with ordinary, but fragrant bubble bath, soap and shampoo.  Keep decorative bottles on hand.  You might even want to create or make vintage-looking labels to attach to your bottles.  Along with a pretty hand towel or basket of toiletries, this makes for an attractive gift that showcases your thoughtfulness. 

Other gifts to keep on hand include paper weights, note cards, seed packs, vases, silk scarves, sachets, candles, fairy lamps, crafted items, small soaps, herbal teas, crocheted pot holders, stamping items, small prints, gourmet chocolate, decorative trays, handbags, books, and so much more that only requires a careful and thoughtful eye. 

© Doityourself.com 2006