16 Low Cost Gifts That Mean A Lot

Gifts don’t need to be expensive to create powerful memories. canstockphoto17916298

In my younger days, I vividly recall both of my grandmothers lamenting how, as we age, the days seem to pass by more quickly. Never is that more true than during the rush and bustle of the end-of-the-year holidays and beginning of a fresh new year. With the holiday season so near, those of us who didn’t finish our shopping in July (I am related to some of those folks, and I did not get that genetic trait!) do our best to discover just-the-right-gift for the special people in our lives.

Unfortunately, some of us truly struggle with that task. Maybe the person we’re buying for is the ubiquitous ‘person with everything’, our money situation limits our ability to give what we really want, or we’re just tired of the same old gift-giving routine. Instead of stressing over the perfect gift, why not give something truly memorable with nothing more than an investment of a little time and attention that is sure to create memories?

This list of sixteen gifts aren’t the physical gifts we’re used to, but special ways to show the people we care about how much they mean to us through our thoughts and actions. Even if you’re that July shopper with everything wrapped in a closet, why not consider trying one or two of these for an extra-special holiday season worth remembering?

1.          Write a thank-you note for something special they’ve done for you in the past year.

2.          Write a thank-you note for a lesson or positive memory they helped teach or create.

3.          Write a list of 25 reasons why they’re important to your life.

4.          Write a story or create a short video about one of the funniest moments you’ve shared.

5.          Buy a 2015 calendar and fill it with notes to them on the pages where special days are listed (birthdays, anniversaries, significant life events, etc.)

6.          Fill the first ten days of a journal’s pages with stories, anecdotes and memories you’ve shared, then give them the journal for their own use.

7.          Notify them that you intend to call them every Friday, twice a month or whatever interval works for you, over the course of the next year, just to catch up with them--then keep your promise.

8.          Send them a weekly or monthly note to share a memory or thank them for something

9.          Make a collage of meaningful photos they’ve stashed in a box (after you make sure it’s OK to use them) for them to display on a desk or countertop.

10.          If you live nearby, set up a date for coffee once a week or whatever interval works.

11.          Arrange to meet in a local park one day a week to walk and talk.

12.          Run an errand for them once a week.

13.          Pick up their kids for them Friday after school to stay overnight with you so they can have some quiet time.

14.          Ask them to find a recipe with sentimental value and arrange a time to make it with them.

15.          Have their other friends write a memory or story about them, collect the stories and bind them into a handmade book with ribbon or brads.

16.          Do the same thing with photos that friends are willing to share. Have the friends write a short blurb or story about the photo, bind them with ribbons or brads.

Gifts don’t need to be expensive to create powerful memories. Despite the cliche, it is often the thought that counts--and those thoughts are remembered most--no matter how fast the days speed by.

Beth Morrow is an education blogger, middle school educator and program director at Camp Hamwi. Reach her at Twitter: @BethFMorrow.