TIPS ON HOW TO GET CREATIVE WITH YOUR GIFTS

Homemade items are one of a kind,  very thoughtful gifts.  It shows that "You Care"  because you have put time and effort in making it for the recipient.  It is especially valuable to them if it is made with a meaning or story to represent their life, personality or interest.

If you are good at art

• Create a beautiful painting of their much loved pooch (dead or alive).
• Paint or sketch a portrait of the recipient, or with their spouse, or with their children, or a family portrait.

Tips

• For portraits,  draw a younger version if they view themselves to be young or paint their actual look if they love how they are now.  Hint: Women love to look younger.
• Realism or caricature(You should only attempt this if they have a good sense of humor)
• It can also be a subject of their interest such as flowers or scenes of the ocean or nature.  
• It can even  be objects such as cars, trains or bikes.  That is,  if you know he is an avid vehicle or mechanical fan and you are very good at drawing straight lines and perspective art.

English: Strawberry jam on a plate. Português: Doce de morango. Svenska: Jordgubbsmarmelad. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If the recipient loves fruit preserves and anything to do with food. 

• Pickled or preserved fruit
• Pickled or preserved veggies, 
• Fruit Essence or 
• Seasonal fruit jam
• Fruit and Nut Cake

Tips

• Make sure yours taste as good if not better than theirs. An extra touch is to include a handwritten recipe that you followed to make the gift on a lovely little card.  

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  If the recipient compliments you for the pickles gift, remember to reply,

"Oh! Thank you and I love your pickles, too!" It's not about you, so make them feel important on their special day.

Preserved Fruits (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

• Present the gift in beautiful glass jars tied with a rope or ribbon and insert some small flowers for color.

If the recipient loves to decorate her home or does needlework, knitting or crochet.

Blanket and Pillow for Nga Motu (Photo credit: hummingcrow)

• Embroidered tablecloth, hankerchief, pillows, cushions, shawls.
• Quilted Blankets. This project will have to start much earlier.
  
  
  

Tips

• If the project will take a long time to make or is a big piece, gather some of your friends who like craftwork and make it a group effort.  
• You get to enjoy making it and at the same time spending time with your friends.  
• You can even pull in the intended recipient to help and give her a lovely surprise when you present her with the completed piece.

If the recipient's hobby is carpentry and wood carving or has a collection of deadwood.

• Wood Carvings that you have done or that you have sources from an indie artist.
• Unique shaped wood found in the forest or seaside.

If the recipient loves to have fresh flowers and fruits in her home.

English: A bouquet of flowers. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

• Floral arrangements or bouquet made from the flowers and leaves that are picked from your garden.
• Fresh fruits from your own backyard.

Tip: 

• Present the flower or fruits or combine both in a lovely basket and tie it with a red bow.
• Present the flower or fruit gift and include a handwritten card with an appropriate poem. To get inspired, visit my Birthday poems sections or you can copy the poems. Of course, please give credits to the poet.

If the recipient loves natural perfumes, oils and scents.

• Herb Garlands or scent pouches
• Scented Candles
• Scented homemade greeting cards
• Scented pressed herbs, flowers or leaves

If the recipient is a collector

For example if you find that they have a glass showcase that is filled with seashells in all shapes and sizes, try to find one that he or she does not have.  Otherwise, look for books written on everything about Seashells.

Tip: Strike up a conversation with the recipient about his collection and phrase the question so that you can figure out if he has a particular type of shell he is searching for.

My own creation

I baked this chocolate walnut cake for dear hubby on his 30th birthday.  I used actual leaves dipped in melted chocolate to make the center piece.


Until my next post, "Have An AweSome Day!"