Giving homemade gifts for any occasion – whether for a birthday, Christmas or even Halloween – can be fun and economical for the giver as well as a special, personal gift for the receiver. By following a few simple tips, the gift giver can rest assured that their gift will be well received.
Helpful Hints for Homemade Gifts
Although the gift giver may be giving homemade gifts to save money, that does not mean that the gift has to be poorly presented or “cheap” in the negative sense of the word. The gift should be made as well and cleanly as possible so the receiver will be proud to use it or display it in their home. If the gift giver is an artist, their work can be the perfect gift. However, be careful not to spend more money on materials than would have been spent on a store-bought gift if saving money is the goal.
Part of giving any good gift is in the presentation. For example, homemade bath salts are cheap and easy to make and wonderful to use, but presenting them in a plastic baggie leaves something to be desired. Purchase a glass decanter at the dollar store or other discount store – something that can be used again after the contents are used up. Wrap it as nicely as if it were purchased at a store.
A memorable way to give a homemade gift is to give something that has a story or some sort of personal significance. Include a card with the gift to tell the story and why the gift was chosen. If the story is presented as a keepsake, such as in a picture frame, the recipient may want to keep that as well.
Special Considerations for Homemade Food Gifts
Food is probably the most common homemade gift. Everybody has to eat, and a loaf of the old family recipe pumpkin bread is something that cannot be purchased at a store. The love and effort that goes into preparing food adds a little something special to the present, making it all the sweeter.
The down side to giving food as a gift is that it can spoil or carry bacteria that can make the recipient sick if the food is not prepared and packaged properly. It is very important to follow good food safety practices when making food for other people: keep work surfaces clean, wash hands regularly and keep food at the proper temperature. When the food is ready, protect it with air-tight packaging.
If the receiver needs to do something to keep the food safely or to prepare it or if there are suggestions on how to most enjoy it, be sure to include instructions. There are software programs that will print cute labels with personalized messages, but a hand-written note attached to the gift will work as well.
A homemade gift that is well made and well presented is a special and personal way to celebrate any occasion.
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