The Three Wise Men

The origin of gift giving on the day we celebrate Christ's birth comes from the Magi, the Three Wise Men. They travelled great distances following the star to Bethlehem. They brought with them valuable gifts for the Christ Child. And today we continue to offer our loved ones gifts of great value at this time of year.

The value need not be monetary; it's the value the person places on the gift that's important.

Last weekend we attended the Christmas One of a Kind Toronto Show. We went with a very diminished budget because there are bills to be paid and our creditors don't care about us wanting to buy lots of presents.They care about us paying our bills. It's unreasonable of them but that's just the way it is.

On this trip to the arts and crafts show we were assessing how the vendors' products  were exhibited. We spoke to some of the vendors about show booth construction and their experiences of sales at the large arts shows. We were on a scouting mission. Just that wee shift of focus helped us to stay on budget. And yet we thoroughly enjoyed the show: it was a great outing.  Make a day of window shopping and lunch. And leave your 'plastic' at home.

Have you looked at the Internet as a source for gifts?  There are some real deals online. A visit to eBay is a start. Pick up business cards, wherever you find them, and check them out on the Internet: they may have something you can give as a gift. Like page templates for the budding e-Commerce person on your list. Or a piece of artisan jewellery that is multi-functional.

Instead of buying that incredibly-beautiful-for-so-out-of-my-price-range piece of jewellery and sinking deeper in debt, buy a gift certificate at an e-Tail Shop. Better yet, get a gift that has multiple uses.

As an example: try a lanyard for your glasses that has clips instead of rubber rings. It can be used to hold your glasses, as a holder for your ID badge at work, as a bib holder when you don't want your dinner splashing onto your blouse. My lanyard is a piece of glass bead artisan jewellery that has received numerous compliments when worn as a necklace.

The most important thing to remember is: gifts are remembered because of the value they hold for the person receiving the gifts. Babies love the boxes a gift comes in so give the baby on your list an empty cardboard box she can explore and play in. Next year, when the baby is older,  you can visit Toys R Us or PlaySchool. Don't be surprised if your baby still loves the box the gift came in.

Money is so tight that people will be getting innovative gifts. Alfie Galda knits long strings with the left over wool she has when she finishes her magnificent hand knitted sweaters. They hold water bottles and slip over the shoulder to leave both hands ready for shopping. Send Alfie an email with questions and to place orders.

You aren't just shopping for people on your gift list; you also are responsible for gifts your child will be giving. Make a craft day and assemble coloured paper and scissors and glue and marker pens  and a stapler and anything else you can think of. Now help them make a small coupon booklet. There is no competition and the wicked 'you-could-have-done-better' witch is not invited. On each page make a coupon for services offered: like helping to dust the house, or cleaning the bathtub, or bringing your slippers when you get home from work. Or anything else the child is mature enough to do. Just think, a coupon redeemed that gives you no complaining about unloading the dishes from the dishwasher!  It's just a suggestion. People of all sizes and ages love getting these coupon books. For an adult there may be a coupon redeemable for a footrub, or mowing the lawn without complaint, or ....

There are ways around our economic shortcomings to give those really special and fondly remembered gifts. You were thinking of the recipient instead of throwing money at her.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS !!