Miscellaneous Gift Tips
In this section, we will discuss a) tips on writing gift messages, (b) special gift wrapping tips and (c) thanking for gifts.
Writing Messages on Cards
Make your gift more meaningful by writing a message to accompany your gift.
Write it on a greeting card that reflects the occasion or your purpose.
There are plenty of ready-made cards around (Thank You card, Get-Well Card,
Birthday card, Congratulations, etc.) or you can create your own note card.
Here are pointers in writing your message.
| Tips in Writing Gift Massages |
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Declare a Blessing Words have power. Like a prayer, some of the words we utter towards another person can happen. Make good things happen to your friend or loved one by writing a message of blessing to accompany your gift. Write what good things you wish to happen to them. Don't be thrifty with words. Give them out in abundance. For examples on how to do this, click here. Add a Bible Quote Words of the bible are anointed. They are effective in teaching, rebuking, prophesying and in giving life. So, in addition to your personal message, add a phrase or passage from the Bible. Put it between your personally composed message or at the bottom of the note. Choose the passage which you think best fits your friend's situation. You can go over the Bible at random or choose from the suggested list of gift quotes. Best of all, ask the help of the "Holy Spirit" in choosing your message. The Holy Spirit knows best what will be meaningful for your friend or loved one. |
Gift Wrapping Tips
Odd-shaped Gifts. Make reusable gift bags from silk, taffeta, burlap, chintz, or another fabric, or from dishtowels, doilies, or pillow cases. These are great for odd-shaped and oversized presents and are easy to customize. Embellish the bags with appliqué, embroidery, lace, trim, or buttons and tie them closed with yarn, ribbon, cord, or raffia.
Oversized Gifts. Wrap oversize gifts in pillowcases, paper tablecloths, butcher paper, or lawn and leaf bags. Tie with rope or wide ribbon and attach an extra-large gift tag. To find oversize boxes, scout out furniture and appliance stores.
Tiny Gifts. Hide a small gift in a huge bouquet of flowers, a jar of penny candy, a bucket of marbles, a box of chocolates, or a bag of popcorn. Put a ring or another small piece of jewelry in a plastic egg, then place the egg in a basket with other eggs filled with the usual Easter treats.
Fragile Gifts. Pad fragile objects with paper streamers, shredded paper, popcorn, or unshelled peanuts.
Adding Mystery. To mislead shakers and squeezers, add marbles, bells, weights, or padding to your package before wrapping it.
Sensory Treat. A bag of potpourri inside a package makes a sensory treat. Scented candles and fresh flower petals would also be scent-sational inside wrapped gift packages.
Personalizing Wraps. Create a signature wrap that reflects your personal style. Perhaps you prefer the elegance of white satin ribbon on white embossed paper, or the casual simplicity of raffia tyings on brown packaging paper. Maybe the flair of layering colorful cellophane tied with Mylar ribbon is more your style. Experiment with various combinations of paper and tyings until you find one that says "YOU." Then use that combination as your own signature wrap for all of your gifts.
Little Boy's Gift. What little boy wouldn't love a package with a generous assortment of colorful rubber bands stretched around the box? Don't be offended if—at least initially—he finds the rubber bands more amusing than what's inside the package.
Little Girl's Gift. Top a little girl's present with an assortment of colorful shoelaces, hair ribbons, barrettes, or bows. Place small balloons, balloon-twist animals, a box of crayons, or an assortment of crazy straws on top of a child's wrapped gift.
Get-Well Gift. Wrap a get-well gift in Ace bandages. Make a bow from strips of gauze and top with a bottle of aspirin or a thermometer.
Grand Parents' Gifts. Wrap presents to grandparents in their grandchildren's artwork. Wrap presents to the computer buff in computer paper or pages from a computer magazine.
Bon Voyage Gifts. Wrap bon voyage presents in maps of the recipient's destination. Embellish the package with a toy boat or airplane and a gift tag that resembles a ticket for travel.
Thanking for Gift
Survey reveals that over one-half of Americans do not expect a thank you for a gift. However, women are more likely to anticipate a sign of appreciation.
Both men and women agree that an in-person thank you and a handwritten note are the most acceptable ways of expressing gratitude for a gift. Most also agree that a phone call is acceptable; however, when it comes to high-tech modes of communication such as e-mail and voicemail, agreement significantly drops. A faxed note is the least acceptable method of saying thank you. "As times and technology change, it's still the personal touches that are most meaningful," added Spizman. "Make every gift count."
Personal modes of communication are the most acceptable ways to thank someone for a gift as revealed in survey results:
- In-person thank you (84% agree)
- Handwritten note (82% agree)
- Phone call (68% agree)
- Voicemail message (29% agree)
- E-mail message (27% agree)
- Faxed note (24% agree)
Having made your tentative choice
of gift,consult God if it's really the best. Click here
for a simple way to confirm your choice.
Happy Gift
Giving!!!