How to give gifts with meaning

Giving a gift can mean much more than handing someone a material object. It can be a way to strengthen relationships, especially when the gift is thoughtful and includes personal touches. When done with care and creativity, gift giving can be as rewarding for the giver as for the receiver. Before you present your next gift, consider some of these inspiring ideas.

Get to know your recipient

Spend time really thinking about what makes that person special and unique. Consider their interests, hobbies, style, needs, and happiest moments. By giving a person a gift that is tailored to them, you can actually strengthen your ties with them.

For example, friends and family with children or grandchildren would love a personalized calendar that contains everyone's birthdays and other special dates and events. And add photos of the whole gang that everyone can enjoy throughout the year.

For music fans, a CD filled with their favorite tunes, or music by their favorite artists always makes for a special gift. Go one step further by making a special label and jewel-case cover featuring art or photos. And don’t forget to give your "album" a clever name. If your recipient is a travel buff, consider making a disc of travel photos or a DVD of video clips from a meaningful trip you took together.

Create traditions

Establishing traditions with loved ones is a way to give them a timeless gift, which proves that really meaningful gifts don't have to be tangible. For instance, you might take that special someone out for an annual birthday dinner at your favorite restaurant or you might go to a place the two of you have talked about. To build more excitement about your evening together, send the recipient a personal invitation you've made yourself and tuck a restaurant review from the local newspaper inside.

As simple as it seems baking together over the holidays is always a wonderful way to connect with people you care about. How about hosting a cookie-baking party? Guests will go home with fresh-from-the-oven treats, and your time together will be even more treasured.

You can also create special photo recipe cards to accompany the cookies and complete your gift package. Make it a group activity or print out the recipe cards out ahead of time. Either way, this personal touch will make it easy for guests to recreate their memories throughout the year.

Get creative

Creating a gift for someone using your own skills and talents makes it extra special. Whether you're a painter, a poet, a baker, or a babysitter, you will be giving a part of yourself. What better way to show someone how much you care!

Homemade specialty food items make great gifts for almost any occasion, and your receiver will find them much more meaningful than store-bought products. Herb- or hot pepper-infused olive oil, chutneys, and spice mixes are easy to make and particularly memorable when presented in elegant glass bottles with customized labels. Include the date, contents, and a heartfelt sentiment ("Handcrafted for Sylvia with love on her birthday"). To inspire his or her inner chef, include a recipe or two utilizing the gifts ingredients.

Customized magnets for a refrigerator or file cabinet make fun, creative gifts, too. Resize a handful of digital photos so they're wallet-size or smaller and affix them to adhesive magnet sheets (precut the sheets to size). Present them in a tiny box that’s lovingly wrapped. You can even create your own magnetic poetry by printing one or more sheets with words that have special meaning for your recipient (such as the names of friends and family members, favorite places, hobbies, etc.).

A scrapbook that you've made is guaranteed to warm your receiver’s heart. In addition to pictures, you can include mementos (such as ticket stubs and post cards) and text that are reminders of time spent together. Making a theme scrapbook is a creative way to personalize your gift even more. It could be dedicated to a significant trip or event, a favorite holiday, or even be used to pay tribute to someone special who has passed away.

Writing your sentiments lovingly in a greeting card can be a simple way to make a keepsake that will be treasured for years. Share memories, stories, inside jokes, or feelings, and remember, sincerity counts. You don’t have to be a poet to write a card that someone cherish forever. Find out more about how to write greeting card messages.

When it comes to giving, the old adage "it's the thought that counts" really does hold true. If you create something personal and heartfelt, its meaning will surely come through.