subject: Creating Coupon Books As Gifts [print this page] If you are in need of holiday gift ideas but are on the tight budget of a newlywed or a student, consider giving the gift of service, time, and love. While this may not come in a large, gift-wrapped package you can buy from a store, this gift will ultimately better demonstrate the love, kindness, and generosity that should be shown during the holidays.
You can tailor the specific personal services you will provide for the recipient based on your relationship to them, whether it be husband/wife, friend, parent, sibling, or even neighbor. The concept is sweet, quaint, and is guaranteed to be valued and appreciated.
For instance, if it is your wife, girlfriend, or sweetheart you are looking to give a gift to, consider one of these full of honey-do's you will complete without being asked, a relaxing massage, a night where her favorite dinner will be cooked for her, a chick flick of her choice without complaining, or even just a night of seduction, the way she likes it. Be as creative as you want-just make sure that you do not offer anything that you are not going to want to fulfill!
And don't try to make anything about you-remember, this is for her, so a night of watching sports with her is out. Offer to go to a museum of her choice, or read a book with her that she has been wanting to read.
Giving her a night out with girlfriends or sisters while you watch the children can be heaven sent. Have the children fed, bathed, and in bed when she gets home.
Your thoughtfulness will show as you prove that you know what it is she wants, and are willing to give it to her. Try to keep "physical" gifts to a minimum!
If it is your husband you are giving the gift of service to, consider offering to help him with any of his projects. Back and neck massages are always appreciated, and you may even be able to tempt him into a relaxing bubble bath after work to unwind.
As they say, food is the way to a man's heart, so don't hold back on the food! Offer to have his favorite dinner and dessert ready on the table when he gets home, or take him out to the restaurant of his choice on the night he chooses.
Spend a night watching the sports movies he loves, and actually act interested. Offer to not ask him to do anything for a whole day-or present a day where all you do is shower him with compliments and affection.
Offer to do the shopping for parent's gifts this year, and do it without any complaints, or expectations of gratitude. Give him a night watching the big game with his friends, while you take care of the children elsewhere.
Give him a free "get out of jail" pass for the next time he does something which irritates you. If you take the time to really think about it, you could think of an endless list of things that will bring a smile to his face.
Using these coupon booklets for your children to give to grandparents is another good idea-the services can easily be adapted to fit any situation. For instance, encourage your child to spend an afternoon with their grandparent, listening to stories, or looking at pictures of the past with them.
Consider helping them bake cookies for a grandparent, or taking them for a walk in the park. When it comes to grandparents, the gift they generally desire is the gift of time-think about thoughtful ways in which your children could spend fun, quality time with them.
If you are not too embarrassed, you can even make these little coupon booklets for neighbors whom you are close to. For instance, you can offer to mow a front lawn for them, do some weeding, bring over cookies, babysit their children, or even offer to wash a car at the same time as your own.
As you can see, there are so many ways to give service and time as a gift, without having to spend a dime. These gifts will last the recipients through the whole year, bringing joy and love, instead of a gift that is opened and forgotten in a matter of minutes.
