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