The Holiday Gift Challenge is ActiveRain's December 2024 Challenge.
There were two choices for blog ideas - I am going with option #1:
1. Suggest Your Best Gift Idea:
Do you have a go-to gift for people who already have it all? Maybe it’s something personalized, a unique experience, or a thoughtful handmade item. Please share your idea(s), and help us all make this holiday season memorable!
After last month's challenge on gratitude where I delved deeply into my mother's death and my subsequent closeness with my brother, my Christmas gift idea may seem on the surface to be a little cynical or not special.
I will, though, share with you, how it can be special and great for that person who you just have trouble buying for.
First, for my idea, you really need to talk to your person and get to know them, if you don't already.
We have a few people in my family who are hard to buy for, and each year can be a struggle.
We also have a lot of people to find gifts for.
Years ago, I would stress very deeply and would wander through stores and malls to try to find the perfect gifts.
It made for a pretty stressful and miserable month of December.
One year, when my child was young, and I realized I couldn't handle the stress anymore, something snapped, and I had an idea.
Rather than trying to figure out the perfect things that they would never want to return, I decided to buy things at stores that I *know* they like and have decent exchange policies.
Examples: Two of my family members love multiple brands that are carried at Nordstrom. I now buy items for them that I feel they would like, but I don't stress too much over what happens after I give them the gifts. They can return what I get them and get what they really want at a later date if they desire.
There is also a family member who gets their hair done at a locally-owned place. They also buy products there. I can get them something there which they can either use or exchange for another product or service there later.
Another family member loves a small bookstore/cafe near their old apartment. They even had a party there! I know I can get them something special there, and I know that if it doesn't fit their needs, they can exchange it for something that does.
I find this to be a win-win scenario. The gift giver doesn't have to feel they have to get the "perfect" gifts. They can choose items they think are fitting, and shows they really know the recipient, while the gift recipient can feel they are seen and appreciated, but can also exchange the gifts for items they truly want.
Maybe, just maybe, sometimes the gifts fit the bill. Maybe the recipient will return the gifts and get something they wouldn't buy for themselves except that they have store credit to play with. Either way, both people hopefully understand the care put into the giving.
After all, the spirit of the season is giving. What a recipient does after they receive the gift is up to them.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For any real estate needs in Towson, Maryland or around the Baltimore Metropolitan area,
THINK MARNEY IN MARYLAND!
Marney Kirk
Cummings & Co. Realtors
108 W. Timonium Road, Suite 100, Timonium, MD 21093
E-mail: marney@realtormarney.com
Website: www.realtormarney.com
Office: 410-823-0033 Cell: 410-493-4884
Comments(13)