the art of giving

i finally got around to doing some much-needed yuletide shopping yesterday. i don't normally leave my gift-buying so late into the season but with the days going faster than a group of fat chicks to the buffet table, i'm at least glad i've made a start.

i've decided that this year will be all about creativity. the creativity to make last my few dollars as possible but without compromising on my renowned gift-giving cred. you see, the credit crunch has hit hard - or, rather the interest on my credit card has! so, gone are the days of lavishing loved ones with multiple presents that are at least $50 in value each. this year, i've had to resort to actually putting more than the usual creative thought needed into my gift ideas.

here's but a few of the things i've come up with:

• little wine bottles and assortments of chocolates done up as 'alcohol and sweet' hampers for friends and colleagues;
• candid digital photos printed on nice glossy paper and housed in a beautiful frame as memorable and sentimental gift momentos;
• store vouchers presented creatively, such as a shoe voucher gift-wrapped in an empty shoebox;
• little parcels of themed presents, like a teapot filled with an assortment of different teabags in a beautifully wrapped gift box;
• and finally, engraved items of sentimental importance, such as an especially inscripted hammer for a couple who've recently moved into a new home

as you can see, most are relatively inexpensive which require only that little bit more of an effort. but when done right, such thoughtful parcels could potentially have more of an impact to the person receiving than something costly that would ultimately prove crass and impersonal.

so, have fun with your gift-giving this year - and don't be afraid to be different or unusual. not everything has to be the latest, the most fantastic nor the most expensive. i mean, even santa manages to gift wrap his coals for christmas.

just don't be giving me that for a present; i've been good this year.