GIVEN WITH LOVE
It really is the thought that counts – Samantha Wood finds carefully considered Christmas gifts that don’t cost a packet
Ahappy Christmas needn’t be a high-cost Christmas and that’ll suit a lot of families this year when it comes to finding presents. And anyway, gift-giving isn’t about the money you throw at it, it’s the thought behind it that matters.
So for presents I think of things that conjure up a happy memory, or hint at an in-joke or shared funny saying, to raise a smile. I once gave my brother a pine cone and can of gold spray paint for Christmas, to remind him of childhood decoration-making. He was delighted.
I saw wilko stocks a rose plant – the Blue Moon – a variety my grandparents had in their rose garden. As kids my best friend Paula and I loved playing in it. So when she told me she’s creating a ‘secret garden’ vibe for her twins at her house, well… Paula: you’re getting a Blue Moon for Christmas. For other green-fingered friends, I’m buying the wilko gardening mug – great for a cuppa after a day of weeding.
For everyone else, it’s great-value goodies in the wilko Christmas line-up (see right). I’ll make up a ‘gift hamper’ tailored to each, and the red felt hamper (just £2) is perfect. Then I’ll fill the hampers with prezzies.
For children, I’ve spotted fun toys at wilko – including helicopter and police car play sets, and a gingerbread house cookie decorating kit. By the way, for kids buying for parents, wilko has heartwarming prezzies, like the red ‘brilliant dad’ and white and silver ‘amazing mum’ bauble gift boxes.
For adults, I’ll make my ‘Sammy’s Holiday Hot Sauce’, brownies and fudge, and pop in a gift, like the wilko ‘gem mirror’ photo frame (with an actual photo to make it more personal). Pals with pooches get a wilko soft dog toy – styled like Santa or reindeer! And these are my gift choices because a carefully considered present says: “I spent my time thinking about you.” And that’s what makes Christmas truly magical, right?