Cherished Gift Certificates

Are you are struggling with what to give this winter season? If so, consider one of these suggestions that can be presented as a gift certificate or coupon for future use by the recipient. A gift certificate can be customized to match your skills and budget while keeping in mind their interests. Many gifts are exchanged during the holiday season, but a coupon for future use is a great way to extend the joy of giving over the upcoming weeks or months.

Homemade Custom Gift Certificates

Gifts From your Kitchen

• A future batch of favorite cookies, empanadas, jam, cupcakes or a casserole from your kitchen to theirs
• If you don’t live close by, handwrite and share a few of your most beloved recipes of their choosing

A Gift of your Time

• A time gift certificate can be redeemed for babysitting, cleaning, or other errands you agree on
• Time can also be something you might both enjoy, like a movie night or a walk

Sharing your Skills

• Think about the skills you have that could be shared with others, such as helping to organize their pantry, laundry room or garage
• You could offer a manicure, help with picture hanging, or furniture rearranging
• If you have the time skills and supplies, consider making a hand knit or crocheted scarf, a hand built wooden napkin holder or bird house.

Experiences

Choose experience gifts based on their interests and abilities. To find out what experience would be meaningful to the recipient you could play a game of “would you rather” to get ideas.

• Give them an experience certificate for a future trip to the local zoo, or botanic gardens
• Plan and organize a day of snow sledding, picnic, hike, football watch event, or even a tea party

Make Good on Gift Certificates

Always remember to follow-up to make sure they redeem the certificate for a future item, service or experience.  People often feel shy about calling to schedule a chore or experience. So, take the initiative and get it scheduled as soon as possible. Build a reputation for always making good on a gift certificate.

Who said a cherished gift had to be expensive? Some of the most meaningful gifts you can give or receive are low in cost, while rich in thoughtfulness and create lasting memories.