Perhaps you’re trying to think of something to give a special one in your life at Valentines. If you have a spouse, you’d like to express your loving appreciation for their big part in your life. Maybe you have grandkids that you’d like to remember with something special. But nothing you can buy seems quite personal enough, fitting your loved one just right.
May I suggest an idea that you tailor to your situation making it ultra-personal? Personal both from you, the giver, and personal to the giver. You’ll be giving the unique things you can offer and you’ll fit those to the recipient.
What am I talking in circles about? This gift idea isn’t my own, I’m sure. It’s been so many years ago when I first tried it that I don’t remember where I got this brilliant idea. But I can tell you that it works like a charm.
It costs nothing up front, but it is a costly investment going forward. You do little to give it initially, but you keep giving over a period of time.
OK, enough suspense. Are you ready for the idea? Do you have someone in mind to give it to? You must know the person well in order for it to work.
Here’s the simple idea. A coupon jar. What?! Yep, just get a jar, make some ‘coupons’ and put them in the jar. That’s it. Well, not exactly. The tricky part is thinking of things the recipient likes and figuring out if you can make/do those things. Then write one on each piece of paper and allow them to randomly pick one piece of paper out of the jar at certain intervals of time.
For instance: Husband loves my homemade shortbread. So one of the coupons I put in his jar read, “This entitles the bearer to one batch of shortbread.” He was allowed to draw one coupon a week from his jar. I can’t remember how long we played this fun game the first time, but I gave him a jar full of coupons. He was a college student and I was a stay-at-home mom and money was scarce. But love was abundant. If you ask him today, he’ll remember that first coupon jar.
Suggestions:
Don’t make empty promises. Give realistic coupons that you can make good on.
Fulfill the coupon that week if at all possible.
Have on hand what you need to fulfill the coupon; try to buy the small gifts ahead and keep them hidden for the day that coupon is pulled from the jar, have ingredients ready, if possible, for the food gifts. Whatever you can prepare ahead to help yourself keep the promises will make it more fun for you.
Coupons should be activities as well as things. Promise to do something fun together.
Think of the recipient’s likes, small preferences, favorite foods, activities and places.
Picture their past enjoyments, listen carefully to things they have a positive opinion about, and try to recreate those things. It doesn’t have to expensive or stunning. Just something small they’d enjoy.
Decide on the number of coupons. There can be just a few or many, but be practical. Don’t take on more than you can enjoy doing.
Coupon Ideas: For a spouse, but could easily be adapted for grandkids or friends.
Food Gifts
A favorite meal
A favorite dessert
A favorite candy
A favorite special drink
A picnic
Time Gifts
A date night that you plan
Having friends over for dessert and fun.
A walk at sunset
Doing his chores or errands for a couple of days
Giving him a Saturday off from responsibilities
Small Gifts
A good book
A necessity, taken one step up. Especially nice socks or gloves, or funny underwear. When one of our granddaughters who is now 12 was very young, she scribbled with fabric pens on hankies for her granddad. (Her artist mom’s idea, of course.) Those hankies are still special all these years later.
A package of special tea, coffee, or hot chocolate. A special wine.
Heart Gifts
A note telling him several things you appreciate about him
A note reminding him of something he did that made you proud of him
A note reminiscing about something funny, or happy you did together
Now, ponder what would fit your spouse or grandchild or friend and see if their weekly coupon doesn’t light up their day!