Gift Giving In Tough Economical Times



Okay, financially speaking, we’re probably all singing the blues right now. Not only nationally, but also globally, people in all economic stratas are feeling, if not a pinch, at least a little nudge in the wrong direction. Many of us are talking around the water cooler at work or the dinner table at home about reining in our spending. Personally, I don’t think this is a bad idea at all. Much of society has been living beyond what they could comfortably afford. Sooner or later that lifestyle is going to catch up. But I don’t believe that we should go around with our chins on our chest, preaching nothing but doom and gloom. We have a financial challenge and we’re going to meet that challenge. In the meantime, we all need to remember that the things we enjoy in life can, and should continue.

If travel is what you want to give your lover as a gift and it is way beyond anything affordable right now, how about a travel book of a desired destination (Tuscany, perhaps)? If finances allow, include dinner at a local Italian restaurant. If finances don’t allow for the dinner, don’t despair. Get in the kitchen and whip up a big pot of spaghetti; throw in a bottle of Two-Buck Chuck and you are looking at a delicious, creative evening.

Say the recipient of your gift is your 5-year-old son. He’s going through an artistic phase and every item advertised on television or in those endless catalogs that continue to arrive in the mail at this time of year that has anything at all to do with drawing pictures, he wants it! And we’re not talking about a box of crayons here. Don’t allow yourself to become caught up in all the advertisements thrown your way. Be creative. Give your child a unique gift. Actually, give him 12 unique gifts. On the 25th of each month in 2009, present young Junior with a wrapped package and a promise to spend a half hour on that very day he receives it enjoying it with him. All well and good, you say, but I can’t think of two gifts that I can afford, let alone 12! Following are suggestions, many of which can be found at your local dollar store.

• A box of crayons. Despite what the television commercials would have
you believe, a child can still find hours of entertainment with a box of
crayons. If your child has crayons already, think outside the box (I know, I
just couldn’t resist!) – get him a box of neon colors, or skin tone colors, or
colored pencils instead of crayons.

• An inexpensive coloring book. These can be found at the dollar store very
inexpensively. Look for one that displays an interest of his – Spiderman, dogs,
word play.

• Sidewalk chalk.

• A pad of colored construction paper, a pair of safety scissors for a young child and
a glue stick.

• Clay or play doh. (And don’t be tricked into believing you need all the special tools
sold in the same aisle – a few items from your kitchen drawer will work just fine.) You can also find the recipe for a play doh substitute on the internet. (familyfun.com)

• Finger paint. If you go to your local newspaper office they may give you a roll of
newsprint. It will last forever!

• Squiggly eyes, glitter, a couple of squares of felt. Then take your tyke on a walk and
collect rocks that together you can turn into pet rocks. Have fun naming them. Don’t be surprised if you both actually become rather attached to your new pets.

• A disposable camera (or let him use your digital camera). Go to a park and let him take pictures with minimal instruction from you. After the pictures are developed or
copied, provide your budding artist with some pieces of cardboard or card stock and suggest he create his own photo album.

• Find some old magazines and provide the safety scissors. Let him cut out pictures while you explain what a collage is (many pictures with a common theme). Then he can glue the pictures on a large sheet of card stock or paper while he explains to
you the reason he chose each one. Believe me, there’s a story in this one!

• This one’s lots of fun! Visit this website: familyfun.com They have recipes for
playing with one’s food. In other words, making art from food – and you get to
eat it!

• Go to your local hobby shop and purchase a package of popsickle sticks. Add
some glue and you’ll be amazed at what might appear on your work table.

• You’ll need a large piece of paper for this one. The newsprint would be perfect.
Have you child lie down on the paper while you trace around him. Then have him
paint the person you’ve traced. Watch closely to see how he perceives himself.

• Pompoms, squiggly eyes, pipe cleaners and glue. Your child can create an entire village.

There, I’ve given you enough ideas for the entire year plus one extra. I’m sure you can come up with many more. But remember that a vital part of this gift is the time you share with your little van Gogh! It’s priceless.

Finally, I’m going to take you to the other end of the age spectrum. This happens to be the end I inhabit so I feel very confident with these suggestions. Those of us who are moving past our ‘middle years’ simply don’t need more things. In fact, we’re trying to get rid of many of the things we have accumulated. Here are a few ideas of things we do need:

We need to know that you care about us. Vow that you will phone us once a month, just to chat. Make the call during a time when you won’t feel that after “hello” you’ll need to rush off.

We need to be able to enjoy a meal that we haven’t opened a can or carton and popped into the microwave. When you prepare a family meal, make a little extra. If it’s for someone who lives in the neighborhood it would be a nice gesture to bring it over on a tray at mealtime, still hot and fragrant, maybe with a flower on the tray. We understand that you probably can’t stay, but the effort to make it extra special will be appreciated.

Sometimes we need to have errands run. Do you have four hours on a Saturday that you could promise if we supplied you with a list, you could run errands for us?

We need to know that our checkbook is balanced. Can you do that for us?

Some of us have failing eyesight. Maybe a grandchild can come by every so often and read to us. If not a book, perhaps a magazine article or some articles from the newspaper.

Most of all, we need to know that we have done something worthy during our lives. Maybe sending a card or a phone call reminding us of a memory you have valued of something we might have said or done.

Sometimes it takes a little effort; sometimes you just forget – but if it’s true, please tell us that you love us.