The Anantative Gift: Christmas: The Best Gift For Christmas

THE ALTERNATIVE GIFT GUIDE

Christmas can be a very stressful time of the year and the pressure to buy the most gorgeous or appropriate gift is only one of many tasks which results in most of us reeling under the fear that we have no idea what our loved ones need, want or even like!

Fortunately, there are alternatives to joining in with the most recent and ridiculous fads if you have the time to do a little research and forward planning. Here are a few ideas that have piqued my interest recently:

For the children

• Build a personalised book, complete with a story incorporating your child’s name and other family members. There are lots available online for a variety of age groups and story styles or you could opt to make your own if you have the skills and time.

• Animal Experiences

who live further afield

• A commitment to a regular day out together whether that be weekly or monthly.

• A digital photo frame full of all the best pics of the entire family.

• An apron or t-shirt printed with a picture of your child/children so they have that constant reminder that they are loved.

• A pillowcase printed with a collage of family pictures so that they can lie and relax with you all when you are not around.

For the recently bereaved

Christmas can be such a huge challenge when there is a big gaping hole in your life, particularly the first year.

• A beautiful etched photo frame to hold a beloved photograph with be a visual reminder that they are still watching over you all.

• A cushion cover or soft toy made from a loved one’s shirt or sweater – something to hold close when your loved one feels lonely.

None of these gift ideas is particularly complex or expensive but they all incorporate the idea that gifts should be about new experiences, reaching for goals and then having the memories of those things in the future. Most of us would much rather have fun experiences rather than material items which fade from favour in the blink of an