Guest post from Mridu of Life Is Organized
It's no surprise to hear that experiences mean more than things. Material items bring us immediate, yet fleeting, joy. It's memories and feelings that stay with us forever. But figuring out how to create a memory can leave you overwhelmed, and cost a pretty penny.
Here are 10 easy ways to create memorable holiday gifts, that are low on cost and high on value:
1. Create a coupon book.
Print (or write) 5-10 coupons for your loved one and staple them together to make a small booklet. These can be tasks that get someone "off the hook" like: No Dishes For A Week, or a Free Bed-Making Pass. It could also be "treats" like: A Massage or Sundaes For Dinner.
2. Make a conversation jar.
Decorate a jar with ribbon, get small notes of paper and a card with instructions that say: "Start the year with an empty jar and fill it with notes about good things that happen. Then, on New Year's Eve, open it and read what awesome things happened over the year."
3. Show off your culinary prowess.
The way to a person's heart is through their stomach, right? Bake or cook a family favorite and spoil someone you care about.
TIP: Place your freshly baked goods in a decorative tin that can be reused throughout the year.
4. Create a night out.
Why not invite friends and/or family for a night of fun at your place? Create an invite for a memorable way to enjoy time with your loved ones after you’ve recovered from the holiday madness.
5. Give a gratitude journal.
Help someone create an experience for themselves all year long. Often times people have the intention of starting this meaningful habit, but need the tools to get it started.
6. Make a themed gift basket.
Add fun and useful items to create an enjoyable memory for someone special.
- Movie baskets including popcorn, a couple of DVD's, a box of M&M's and a soft blanket or fuzzy socks.
– A Family Night basket with a board game, pack of cards, bag of chips and a liter of lemonade.
– A Girl’s Night basket including nail polishes, magazines, drinks, and furry slippers.
7. Give a gift certificate or lessons.
Base this gift on hobbies your friend or family member are interested in — a sewing class, dance lesson, painting class, or cooking lesson. It's especially memorable when it's something they've never tried, but have wanted to do.
8. Create a photo calendar.
Grandparents can't get enough of these! It's not only customized and meaningful but useful for throughout the year.
TIP: If the thought of picking a bunch of photos is overwhelming, get the type of calendar that has just one photo that you can use for the whole year.
9. Monogram anything.
No matter what item anyone has, a monogrammed version of it makes it so much more memorable. It can be as simple as a pair of hand towels or a beach bag.
10. Wow them with tickets.
If tickets for movies, concerts, plays, amusement parks, sporting events, and museums are personalized to a person's likes, they’re always appreciated.
TIP: You can get discounts on movie tickets and some events if you buy at bulk at places like Costco or Sam's Clubs and then split them up for different friends.
"Experience gifts" evoke a distinct feeling of love, care and thoughtfulness. And if the gift is an event you can both participate in, it becomes a shared memory, something far beyond what a physical gift can offer.
What experience can you create for someone this holiday season, without breaking the bank?
Mridu Parikh is a Simplicity and Organization Junkie for women who are tired of feeling overwhelmed and stressed out. She'll show you how to get your life running smoothly – without the drama. Prepare to smile, get uber motivated and take action with Mridu's 5-day free organizing series.
photo source
Welcome to the 5-Day Clean Your House for Christmas Challenge. Otherwise known as: Crystal really needs to deep clean her house and she needs the public accountability to get it done. Ahem. 
{Thank you for humoring me. If your house is in great shape, please just skip over these posts. I may be the only one who has kind of let my housework and decluttering slide a bit the past few months.}
Today, I wanted to pick an easier room. But then I realized that I should probably save the easier stuff for the end of the week. So instead, we’re starting with one of the hardest rooms… or at least the rooms that have been the most-neglected for me these past few months.
And that is… drumroll… the bedrooms!
{I’m trying to sound all cheery about it to psyche myself up for this job that I’ve been avoiding and even dreading for too long! :)}
If your bedrooms are spotless and clutter-free, pick another area of your house that you’ve been putting off and tackle that today.
Here’s my plan for this morning (feel free to follow it somewhat, if you find it helpful… or you can get a laugh out of how detailed I am!):
This Morning’s Plan
1. Read my Bible, exercise, and shower.
2. Get dressed to my shoes. (Thanks, Flylady!)
3. Eat some breakfast, read aloud to the kids, start a load of laundry.
4. Morning chores with the kids.
5. Get the kids started on their schoolwork. Kindergarten with Silas.
6. Switch the laundry.
7. Attack the bedrooms:
- Pick up/remove clutter — either throw out or put in Goodwill pile.
- Organize things that need to be organized.
- Vacuum thoroughly.
- Dust — especially fans/light fixtures.
8. Celebrate a job well done… by noon, hopefully!
So, that’s my morning plan. I’m hopeful to have it all done before lunchtime. I’ll take pictures and will post an update late afternoon to let you know how it goes.
Want To Join Me?
Are you joining me? If so, what room(s) are you planning to tackle today and what’s your morning plan? Let us know in the comments. If you are blogging about it, I’ll have a link-up that you can link your post to this afternoon. It should be up by 6 p.m. EST.
photo credit
