Be creative, and make your own gifts. Not only will you have fun making them but recipients will also love such presents - if they are well made of course! Read on.
Who doesn't enjoy giving and receiving presents? Exchanging gifts on certain festivals or happy occasions is an important part of most cultures around the world. Whether it is the birth of a baby, a birthday, an anniversary or a festival, all call for exchanging presents.
Today with so many options in stores all one needs to do is go out the previous evening and buy what you think is the most appropriate gift. But no matter how expensive or thoughtful your gift is there is nothing like being a little creative and making something on your own. Here are some tips.
Artwork
If you have a talent for drawing or painting, all you need to do is paint a small picture and frame it. This can be an ideal gift for a house warming party or a birthday. If your children enjoy art, get some of their artwork and make cards out of them. These are well appreciated by elders in the family especially the grandparents.
'I received a T-shirt with my grand daughter's hand prints for my sixtieth birthday. My daughter and her family are in the US. It was such a pleasant surprise!' says Ammini, a resident of Kochi. If you have a toddler at home, get their handprints on to paper and laminate them to make coasters or tablemats. These serve both as a memorable and as a gift to a close family member.
Chocolates
Who does not like chocolates? Homemade chocolates are another favourite for gifts. You get moulds of different shapes in the market today and you can have a shape to suit your occasion. Homemade chocolates are always a healthier option too. Says Mala, a housewife in Bangalore, 'Cooking is my passion and I used to bake cakes and cookies for my relatives birthday parties. People began to like them so much, it has become a part-time business for me.'
Handy work
For those with dexterous hands, you can make exciting paper folding toys for children. They serve as inexpensive birthday party favours. You could even create a collage out of household materials to gift a friend. For those who feel they are less creative, there is the option of buying terracotta pots and painting them with simple designs made out of brush strokes. There are a whole lot of books and magazines that are available with beautiful designs. You could even try copying drawings from them for your terracotta paintings.
Gift wraps
Finally if all these sound too cumbersome or difficult to do, you can still go on and buy gifts. But instead of getting them gift-wrapped at the store, come home and pack them yourself! Make your own gift-wrapping paper. You can make vegetable prints on a large sheet of paper, or you can roll marbles dipped in paint or dye over a sheet of paper for a novel effect. You can even get your children to help you out here. They can do some leaf painting on paper to make interesting prints. Cover your gifts with these homemade wrapping papers and you will see that your gift stands out.
You don't need to be a professional to be creative. Try these ideas and see how well your gifts are appreciated.