| What is it about the holiday season that makes us feel | | | | list. |
| differently than at any other time of the year? The | | | | As an example of a creative use of words, it's a great |
| heart is a little more giving and forgiving. The kindness | | | | idea to give a decorative pouch filled with 5 brightly |
| of strangers seems to be the norm rather than the | | | | colored stones, each engraved with the word |
| exception. And there is an air of goodwill and kinship | | | | "Blessing." A sentiment you could attach to this gift |
| that inspires us to be near to those we hold most dear. | | | | might read, "That you will always go to sleep counting |
| So how can we transform all those wonderful feelings | | | | your blessings . . ." You get the picture . . . simple words |
| into the perfect Christmas gift or Hanukkah gift? It all | | | | used creatively have just added personal value to the |
| starts with the thought behind it. Really! I know it may | | | | gift. The next few holiday gift ideas are simple in |
| sound cliché, but it's true. | | | | nature, but are guaranteed to be cherished long after |
| "Heart Impression" Gifts | | | | the holidays are over. |
| Think about unique holiday gifts you received in the | | | | Personalized Desk Calendar |
| past that stand out in your memory from all the rest. I | | | | Purchase a daily desk calendar in a theme appropriate |
| guarantee you it won't be the price tag that comes to | | | | for your gift recipient. Choose either random dates or |
| mind, but the gifts that leave, what I like to call, a "heart | | | | dates that celebrate a certain anniversary the two of |
| impression" . . . those magic moments in time that | | | | you share, and write a personal note that will greet |
| become indelibly etched into the fabric of your life and | | | | them when they get to the date. Of course there will |
| which remain with you and fill your heart for years to | | | | be some recipients that will thumb through the whole |
| come. Here are some ideas to get you started . . . | | | | calendar to read all the notes you've written in one |
| A Digital Year in Review | | | | setting, but encourage them to wait and be surprised. |
| A digital picture frame (that has music playback | | | | It's a wonderful way to let someone know you think |
| capabilities) is a wonderful holiday gift idea that can | | | | about him or her 365 days of the year. |
| easily create a heart impression. Don't simply wrap a | | | | Box of Favorites |
| frame and "gift" it. Instead, first create your own picture | | | | When someone knows you well, they know all the little |
| show set to music. | | | | things you love from your favorite perfume to the |
| Think about your gift recipient and the highlights the | | | | decadent candy bar you treat yourself to every now |
| two of you have shared throughout the year. Choose | | | | and then. A unique holiday gift idea is to put together a |
| pictures that represent the best of these moments. | | | | box of such favorites, but with a personalized twist. |
| Also, if you have a ticket stub or program book from a | | | | Once you have collected all your fun gift items (and |
| memorable event, those, too, can be scanned or | | | | this can be anything from a gift certificate for a |
| photographed and added into your picture show. Let | | | | favorite restaurant, special lotions or soaps, maybe |
| your own creativity be your guide! | | | | even a CD compilation of favorite musical artists), |
| Finally, pick a song that captures the essence of your | | | | attach a gift tag to each item with a personal note |
| gift, and set your picture show to music. Wala! You | | | | saying, "I know you well because . . . . ." and fill in the |
| have just created the best kind of heart impression. | | | | blanks with as personal a reflection as you would like. |
| You put some personal thought and time into a unique | | | | Next, find a fun, decorative holiday gift box and place |
| holiday gift idea that will be enjoyed for years to come. | | | | all the treasures inside. Imagine the reaction when your |
| It's All In How You Say It | | | | special someone opens their box of personalized |
| If you're like me, you have cards and notes tucked | | | | favorites. An instant heart impression! |
| away because the message written inside by a loved | | | | Whatever you decide to "gift" this holiday season, |
| one really touched you. And if you have ever lost | | | | remember to mix in a little extra special TLC to make |
| someone close to you, their words, written in their own | | | | your Christmas gift or Hanukkah gift a happy memory |
| hand, become even that much more of a precious | | | | that lasts longer than your average purchase from the |
| memento. Your own hand-written words, used in a | | | | "early bird special" at the local shopping mall. Happy |
| creative way, can create this kind of personal heart | | | | Holidays! |
| impression for the special people on your holiday gift | | | | |