- A basket of fresh seasonal fruit and nuts. Keep
it small so that the fruit doesn't go off. Great for someone who is
house bound.
- Bundle several jars of salsa and a large bag of corn chips in a
festive serving dish or platter. Check out the "2 Dollar"
shops, they have a great selection platters and brightly coloured
bowls.
- For someone who loves to cook. Find some interesting
or unusual kitchen utensils, i.e. a garlic press, cherry pitter, fancy
cookie cutter, nutmeg grater and one of those funny tools for zesting
citrus fruits. Package in a basket with a seasonal tea towel, hand
towel, oven mitt or make an apron.
- Select some aromatic oils and candles noted for
their soothing effects and package them with wheat bag.
Note: when giving a wheat bag ensure you include the instructions
for use. It is really important that the receiver knows how to use
the bag correctly.
- Create a small indoor waterfall kit. An inexpensive
pump is the main piece. Get a bowl or dish big enough to hold
the pump, some small decorative rocks and an eye-catching decoration
(i.e. a small figurine). Package everything together in Christmas
wrapping. Don't forget to include the directions
or a diagram.
Note: ready made fountains have become very polular over the last
couple of years and are now readily available (in NZ) from garden
centres and places like the Warehouse. Great, if you dont want the
bother of getting all the bits and pieces together.
- Make potpourri sachets. Purchase potpourri,
fine tulle and 1/8 inch satin ribbon. Cut the tulle into
saucer size circles. Place two or three tablespoons of potpourri in
each circle. Gather sides and tie tightly with the ribbon.
Place several of these in a Christmas box.
- For the person who is on their feet a lot, nothing
would feel better than soaking their feet in soothing foot salts.
Include a soft pumice or clay stone and peppermint foot lotion.
Package them inside a pair of slippers.
- Use plain wall tiles and tile paint and felt to
make a simple coaster set. You will need paint that doesn't require
heat. Paint a simple Christmas design on six or eight tiles.
Glue felt on the back to stop the tiles scratching furniture. Tie
them with a crepe paper bow or a festive ribbon and your done!!
- Fill a basket with bath items – soaps, fizzies,
oils, bubbles, lotions, natural sponge and a loofah pad.
- Special guest soaps come in all colours, shapes
and sizes. Place several in an attractive or whimsical soap
dish or basket and include a hand towel.
- Home-made fudge is a treat at any time. Make
several batches- some with nuts, some without, some to keep, some
to give. Wrap fudge and place in a special tin. Need a
recipe? try this no cook fudge recipe.
- A selection of herbal teas, a teapot, a teacup
and saucer. What could be nicer for the tea lover.
- Another idea for a gardner, a compost or worm bin. These make fantastic
gifts and are friendly to the earth. Need some instructions to go
with it. Check out
this site
- A tray, tray cloth and napkin is a great present
for someone who likes their meals on their lap. You can make this
extra special by adding a napkin ring and/or a setting of festive
cutlery.
- For someone who loves to go to the beach. A beach
towel, hat and sun block would make a great, practical present.
- Wine buffs will enjoy a set of whimsical wine stoppers.
- Picture frames are in. There is a great variety
to choose from. If you don't see any you really like, make your
own. Choose a plain frame, some air trying modeling compound
and acrylic paints. These can also be decorated with shells,
glass beads or fancy buttons etc.
- Christmas centrepieces and topiaries add so much
to the season. The prices range considerably but they are not
that difficult to make. They make nice gifts.
- Potpourri is easy to make and you can create a
scent just for Christmas. Mix together broken cinnamon sticks, dried
orange, lemon and lime peel, whole cloves, and evergreen clippings.
Half fill cellophane bags and tie with a holiday ribbon.
- A simple but useful gift for a reader is a bookmark. Create
a bookmark by stamping and embossing card. Cross stitched or plastic
canvas bookmarks are always treasured too.
- Apartment dwellers that love gardening will love
little herb gardens that come with everything. Include mini-garden
tools, watering can and gloves.
- For the gardener, a kneeling pad, gardening gloves, gardeners soap
and hand cream would make a welcome gift.
- For someone who has everything try a personalised
rubber-stamp. You can design it yourself to reflect the person's
hobby, profession or whatever. You need to do this early to have
the stamp made. Check your stationery stores, business-supply centres
or rubber-stamp stores.
- A special rubber stamp, some colourful ink pads,
a pack of different colour card and some fancy scissors would make
a great present for the person who likes crafts or who is a card maker.
- Seals are very trendy. A seal with the initials
of the receiver looks really snazzy. These may be found at stationery
stores and gift shops. Don't forget to include some sealing wax.
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