As we approach the gift giving season, you may be looking for some good ideas for gifts. I usually re-post a list I created for Steam Engine Financial Coaching years ago. If you want to see the full list of Inexpensive Gifts, you can click here. This year, though, I thought I would focus instead on one particular gift idea that’s really good. The ever-so-flexible, super-customizable, home-made coupon.
Most people don’t need more stuff. Most people,, however, long for time with people they care about. So why not create a special experience for someone? Sometimes, I’ve given coupons that are for a gift of service, like giving my kids a thorough room-cleaning (or excavation as the case may be). Other times it’s a special fun outing or doing something fun together. For years, my kids gave their friends coupons for a sleepover at our house. Last year for Christmas, we gave John’s mom a trip to the ice cream shop with our boys. They had a great visit together.
Here’s a funny story about a coupon. I gave John’s grandma a coupon for her birthday last year–for her 97th birthday. It was for any food of her choice. She thought about it a while and finally told me she wanted “quail on toast.” Seeing the panic in my eyes, she put her hand on my arm and said, “I’m just joking with you. I’d like a pumpkin pie.” I hope I have such a good sense of humor at her age!
You can make the coupon yourself. Or you can probably find something online to print out. It doesn’t need to be fancy. It just needs to be heart-felt and include the necessary follow-up. It can take some effort to work out the logistics, but the person wil likely really enjoy it.
Following are some ideas for giving a coupon as a gift. Be creative and think outside the box. Groupon and Living Social can provide some good ideas and some good deals to go with them.
Time-together activities
- a special dinner out at a restaurant of their choice or a specific one you choose
- a trip to the movies
- a manicure/pedicure together
- massages together (nice and romantic)
- a weekend getaway
- a trip to an amusement park or the zoo
- bake cookies together
- a coffee date
Service-oriented coupon ideas
- breakfast in bed
- clean the house
- organize their office or craft room
- deliver a home-made meal
- babysitting or pet sitting
- wash the car
The possibilities are endless. Have fun thinking about giving a really precious gift this holiday season–the gift of yourself.
