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It’s the holiday season. It is a busy time where people are going to various stores trying to find that “perfect” gift. Christmas shopping often is accompanied with the dilemma of: “What should I get so-and-so?” or one more common for college students: “What can I afford to spend on gifts?”
Gifts are a way of letting people know that you care. One of the best ways to let people know you care is to give something unique, meaningful or special. Examples of these types of meaningful gifts are family heirlooms, sentimental objects from childhood or handmade gifts. Homemade or sentimental gifts also are great for people who already have everything, do not want anything particular or want stuff a little outside your price range. After all, not everyone can afford to give mom and dad a new car for Christmas.
Giving sentimental or handmade gifts may be a better choice if you are on a tight budget. For instance, a necklace that costs $15 dollars in stores may only cost you $10 dollars in supplies. From the supplies, you can make a necklace and a bracelet or two necklaces. Keep in mind that not all handmade gifts are cheaper to make than to purchase in stores, but you can save money depending on the type of gift you want to create and how much the supplies cost.
There are many other reasons that make handmade gifts so special. One reason is that they are one-of-a-kind. No one else will have one like it and no one else will be able to give the same gift. These gifts are also more personal. You can add touches of your personality, the receiver’s personality or of a memory you share. This personal touch will only make the gift that much more special and meaningful.
Handmade gifts are crafted with love and not by a machine, the feelings and personality of the creator are imprinted into the gift. A 2015 study showed that people preferred to give handmade gifts over store-bought ones. People also believe that handmade gifts show more love. Even if you are not an artisan, there are many easy gifts you can make that will be both beautiful and meaningful.
Students can also save money sending these gifts to loved ones far away or ones they will be unable to see during the holiday season. eShipNOW is an online tool that helps college students ship meaningful gifts or items to loved ones. The only cost is for the shipping, which you will get at a discounted rate just by using eShipNOW.
Imagine the surprise on their face when they receive a package from you and inside is a box you personally wrapped containing a gift you handmade. Isn’t that far more memorable and special that an Amazon package with a box wrapped by who-knows-who containing a gift made by a machine? Which one do you think shows more love?
By: Ashleigh Cue
