Wrapping old things for Christmas presents
By marguicha
@marguicha (216271)
Chile
December 6, 2009 11:00am CST
I have discovered that many small things I have are coveted by my daufghters and my grandchildren. On the other hand, my Christmas money is nearly zero. It is true that I always give my apricot jam to my loved ones but sometimes you also want to add something else.
So this year I have begun to look around at my home. I found beautiful crotcheted doilies made by my grandmother. I will wash them, starch them and iron them and give some of them to my oldest daughter who was my granma´s favorite. To my youngest I discovered a lace mantel for the diningroom table. I never use it as it´s me who has to wash it afterwards
. She has a wonderful maid who loves to iron (curious creature
)
For my grandaughter I will wrap some of my fake jewellry. At this time of my time, I either use real one or none at all.
I´m sure they will be all happy as they are meaningful presents that have been part of their lives.
Do you wrapp some of your beautiful things to give to your special people? Do share!
Take care, every one!
. She has a wonderful maid who loves to iron (curious creature)
For my grandaughter I will wrap some of my fake jewellry. At this time of my time, I either use real one or none at all.
I´m sure they will be all happy as they are meaningful presents that have been part of their lives.
Do you wrapp some of your beautiful things to give to your special people? Do share!
Take care, every one!6 people like this
19 responses
@apgh09 (514)
• United States
10 Dec 09
hi margucha, i think that is a beautiful idea something that your children will be able to cherish. its not always about money, it's the simple things or just the though of knowing your loved. Yes i have gave and received family items that i still have and cherish. My mom has some items from my grandparents and great grandparents that i would love to be able to have one day and pass it down one day.
2 people like this
@marguicha (216271)
• Chile
11 Dec 09
Those things, apparently with no value as they are not bought, made a difference throughout all year. My grandchildren have a sense of belonging with mt that they don´t have with their other grandma. I remember a Christmas, some years ago when the other grandma gave a boughten chocolate to 2 of my grandsons. I didn´t have money and they didn´t have a computer then. So I downloaded their favorite music for them. They were very happy!
@lynkshadow (299)
• Canada
8 Dec 09
Regifting, crafting, baking free things for Xmas, I think that this is the ultamite in gift giving. I think that is what the originators of it all intended. Now we are mostly celebrating commercemas, people are stressed and they have to get the best 1000$ toy for their kid, this or that. Take your kids to a soup kitchen for Xmas, the best gift you can give them is to teach them about the real world, charity, and to be grateful for what they have.
2 people like this
@marguicha (216271)
• Chile
10 Dec 09
My grandchildren many times are happier with an iold toy . Unfortunatly my daughters often forget that. But both of my daughters bring to my home the cast away iold toys. When my younger grandchildren come to visit they find a lot better a car with 3 wheels left than the new ones they have at home.
We also have sessions of toy mending with them and they think I´m awesome.
We also have sessions of toy mending with them and they think I´m awesome.1 person likes this
@deebomb (15304)
• United States
6 Dec 09
You have wonderful idea. Not only will your daughters and granddaughter appreciate them and get keepsakes that they will cherish but you will eliminate hard feels and strife after your are gone. They will enjoy those gifts now. such treasures need to be used and enjoyed.
2 people like this
@marguicha (216271)
• Chile
6 Dec 09
I feel that way too. And I think one must leave with no names only the things that will turn into money. The keepsakes always have a name.
1 person likes this
@AnythngArt (3302)
• United States
6 Dec 09
I think your gifts sound wonderful. Don't underestimate that apricot jam either. I love homemade gifts, and usually my best friend makes me a loaf of her famous zucchini bread every year, and it's always something I look forward to, even crave! Christmas wouldn't be the same without it. I am sure your family and friends feel the same about your jam!
I think the idea of giving what you have from the heart is what matters. Giving things attached to memories is so much more powerful than just buying something simple that anyone can get at the store.
I am sure your family will have a very Merry Christmas!
@marguicha (216271)
• Chile
6 Dec 09
Thank you so much! I feel that way too. Even though I´m an old witch, I´m the one who starts singing Christmas carols at the top of my lungs when Christmas approaches.
I have discovered that even my smaller grandkids take better care of my presents than of those store bought ones. The other end always being eaten by the dogwhereas mine are in their room.
1 person likes this
@Downwindz (2537)
• Netherlands
6 Dec 09
Hello Marguicha
I yet have to experience so much in life as you have, and still have alot ahead of me, so im sure the time will also come to me.
But we are also in each a different world, you are in Chile and im currently in the Netherlands, so the economical situation might be different for the both of us, but if my grandmum gave me something belonging to her that she have been appreaciating alot i would be most honered to recieve it as a present.
1 person likes this
@Downwindz (2537)
• Netherlands
6 Dec 09
Hello again Marguicha
No i have not been reading the little prince, but i should try to see if i can find the book in a language i can read (Danish or English).
I believe it is nice that you share the things which you believe is the heritage with your other family members, and i can only agree, christmas is about giving love and not recieving the most expensive presents. Which is a race alot of families tend to do, to show they care more than the others, but love is not bought by money!
Im living in a middle class society here, but im myself unemployed, because of various reasons, but mainly because the companies are less likely to hire new personal during the crisis whos experience are in marketing management and economics.
1 person likes this
@Downwindz (2537)
• Netherlands
6 Dec 09
I shall find it after i have finished the book im currently reading, it is an old book from my granddads collection so i guess it was published in the 1950's but the story is actually quite well.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (216271)
• Chile
6 Dec 09
You can read the entire book in the internet. It is a famous enough book so it is translated to many languages. I´m sure you will find it in the language you prefer. It is a beautiful book that a child could read. I hope you like it. It is the book I would take with me to a desert island if I were to take just one book.
1 person likes this
@sasalove (1709)
• China
8 Dec 09
Hi Marguicha,
You are full of wishes as a grandmother and mother, I think they are very happy while they get your meaningful presents. No matter how it costs, the valus is incomparable. For me, I love to receive the surprise, thus I like the presents with wrapping. Every time when I got it, I will guess what I am supposed to obtain first.
In my daily life, I will buy a lot of little stuff that it is not utilized at that time, then I will store it and send them out as the presents while the festival is coming or my friends' birthday is coming. Truely, I will use different wrapper to decorate as beautiful as it is and I will save the money at the same time.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (216271)
• Chile
10 Dec 09
I´m sure those gifts wrapped with love are more precious than going in a hurry to buy just anything for someone for Christmas. Take care!
1 person likes this
@cutepenguin (6431)
• Canada
8 Dec 09
um, I don't have family momentos like yours, so I don't really have appropriate things to gift.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (216271)
• Chile
10 Dec 09
Sometimes it is just somrthing thta belongs to you and that someone you love found beautiful. I remember I once gave a dear friend a violet vase she had asked me where did I buy it, It was so beautiful. Take care!
1 person likes this
@happythoughts (4109)
• United States
7 Dec 09
I think that we put so much on how much we spend on Christmas. Christmas is not ment to be like that. I try to put as much thought and as little cash into my presents as possible. I think that most people would rather us pay bills then give them a great gift.
@marguicha (216271)
• Chile
10 Dec 09
Most of my belongings are just old stuff, not antiques.But they all have a story behind them.
But they all have a story behind them.1 person likes this
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
6 Dec 09
How wonderful that you are giving to them these keepsakes! I haven't done it myself...I have regifted something I can't use but I have never wrapped them up for christmas....I do though bring something with when I go visit my daughters....something that was either my mom's or my grandma's......I have way too much stuff and it's nice to pass it on for it to be cherished.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (216271)
• Chile
13 Dec 09
Hi suzzy,
For me it´s not only a question of saving money but a lot more of giving Christmas a real meaning. I don´t pass just anything but the ones that are truly coveted by my daughters.
@lelin1123 (15595)
• Puerto Rico
7 Dec 09
This all sounds wonderful and its not how much to spend on a gift its the thought behind the gift that counts. I think all your gifts are great ideas for others to copy. As for the fake jewelry for your granddaughter, I know my granddaughter would love that too. She is always playing with my jewelry. If I wrapped a piece of it for her she would be thrilled. Enjoy giving thoses wonderful gifts to your family for Christmas.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (216271)
• Chile
10 Dec 09
Thank you. I know my grandaughter will enjoy that. When she was small she thought they were as expensive as the jewels of the Crown.I did not tell her then that it was just coloured glass. I had old party dresses for her to wear along with the rubies and diamonds.
I did not tell her then that it was just coloured glass. I had old party dresses for her to wear along with the rubies and diamonds.
@randylovesdar (4932)
• United States
16 Dec 09
I do not feel that this is old stuff that you are giving away you are giving away family heirlooms which makes things more special. I remember my mom sending me an angel bracelet that had belonged to my grandmother one year for Christmas and it is something that I will always treasure.
I know how you feel about money I have not had much either. What I am doing for my husband's family is that I am making homemade treats like cookies, fudge, brownies, cheesecake bars and candy. I know it is not much, but it is better than nothing. I also painted a couple of ceramic houses and ceramic ornaments.
@marguicha (216271)
• Chile
16 Dec 09
That´s what I mean about the Christmas spirit. Maybe that´s the simbolism behind Jesus birth and the poor shepperds being able to see Him first.
Merry Christmas!
•
7 Dec 09
Yes, the important concept behind Christmas gift is sharing .. we can give any thing most important is giving a gift not the gift inside.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (216271)
• Chile
10 Dec 09
I believe that if we learn to share, we can try to do it on a daily basis. Take care.
1 person likes this
@myliezl0903 (2726)
• Philippines
7 Dec 09
hello there marguicha! thanks for this nice topic you had ., well in regards to your question ., yes i always make sure and make a lot of effort to find something during christmas ., its always been a good way for us to share our blessings to someone who are really special to us ., giving is one of the reason why christmas are celebrated., so its better to share yours this season ., thanks a lot!
have a nice day ahead!
myliezl0903
myliezl0903
@marguicha (216271)
• Chile
7 Dec 09
Thank you very much. For our family this type of presents has always been pasrt of Christmas. It´s not so much saving money as giving something that is meaningfull.
@marguicha (216271)
• Chile
13 Dec 09
Thanks for sharing saundyl. I feel that my greatest treasure is my family and close friends so I feel very happy when I can give them something special.
@kellyjeanne (1576)
• United States
13 Dec 09
I think that's a beautiful idea, marguicha, and I think your daughters! I remember years ago I wrapped up some pieces of old crystal and mailed it to my family. I didn't feel bad about it because I wasn't using the crystal and I felt it would get better use from my family.
Purrs,
Catwoman=^..^= & Mija
@happy6162 (3001)
• United States
7 Dec 09
I think this is a great idea. It will me more to them knowing that it belong to someone in the family. Now you have me thinking I will have to look and see what I have that I can give my granddaughter that belong to her great grandmother.
@marguicha (216271)
• Chile
7 Dec 09
That will be a very special gift for her. A lot better than a present you buy at a shop.
@msfrancisco9369 (10002)
• Boston, Massachusetts
7 Dec 09
why not? nowadays "white" elephant" as a gift is a common practice. anything that you at home whether slightly used or never been used can be wrapped and give as a gift. in this way, we can clean up our closet and even make our friends happy for the thought that we remember them this season. we did this last year with my former officemates. we had a reunion and for our exchange gift- it was a "white elephant" style.
