The Sentimental Gift Guide: leaving memories for generations to come & more
Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Amazon Prime Days and many other shopping events occur in November, which overwhelms holiday shopping and adds further pressure to…shop. We are writing this blog with our truest intention to ease the burden and give another perspective on gift-giving. We will start with some unique and thoughtful gift suggestions that will leave an impact for generations to come and will wrap up with some unique and noteworthy gift ideas, that are currently on sale.
Sentimental and Thoughtful Gifts:
1 - Gift a Sentimental Family Relic to a Friend or Beloved Family Member
You know those family spoons that have been in the family for two generations and your granddaughter always looks at them when she comes over? What if she can have those at home to cherish and think of you? Sounds like a great Holiday gift to me. Passing down a beloved family relic or an item of sentimental value is a beautiful gesture for all generations. We not only connect to the gift, but it is something we will cherish throughout our lives as it reminds us of the people we love. I myself “stole” a set of beautiful cutlery that my grandmother gifted my mom and dad for their wedding day. It’s an exquisite set with intricate details that I loved (also reminded me of my childhood as my aunt had a similar set). When I was moving out of my parents’ house, my mom saw me staring at the set in the cabinet and when she asked if I wanted to take it to my new house, I didn't hesitate. Every meal I have I think of the history behind my cutlery and how it got to be where it is today, and it truly leaves me with warm feelings. I have attached a little picture at the bottom of the article!
2 - Do It Yourself Project
Do you have a hobby? Do you knit socks, embroidery, bake, make cards, draw, make ornaments, write beautiful poems? Living in a country where so many of us are fortunate to have excess material possessions, gifting something we have created and putting love and care into truly goes a long way. Our scarcest resource is our time, and investing it in making a thoughtful meal or gift for our loved ones is truly priceless. We urge you to lean into your passion and what you enjoy, and make a wonderful and unforgettable gift out of it for your loved ones! Below I will share beautiful Barbie cupcakes my mom made for my 5-year-old niece, who is undergoing her Barbie phase - the highlight of her week! My mom is an avid baker and truly connects through making creations the little ones enjoy (and they sure apprecaite it and get inspired by it!).
3 - Send or Schedule an Email
As I am writing this, Canada Post is on strike. But even if this was not the case, postage stamps come at a hefty cost, we have to handwrite all the cards, seal them, walk over to the post office, wait in line to send them, or walk outside in the cold, slippery weather to drop them at a post box. But what if we can express our love and gratitude for someone via Email? I don’t know about you, but for someone like me who travels a lot, receiving a loving message in my email box, during the holiday times would truly touch my heart and is all I need to feel the holiday spirit. Sending an email is free and easy and you can also schedule the email ahead of time! In other words, you can write the email now and schedule for it to be sent on New Year’s Day, for example! If you use Google Mail (Gmail), you can do so by drafting a new email, and before clicking send, click the error pointing down next to the ‘send’ button, which will lead you to ‘schedule send’. Once you click the ‘schedule send’ button, it will ask you to choose the date and exact time you’d like to send the email (see below screenshot). Happy emailing!
4 - Donate
Recently I read an article on CP24 which talked about the poverty amongst Toronto children. In this article, Toronto was noted as the city with the highest number of children and families living in poverty in all of Canada in 2022. I remember immigrating to Toronto from a country with a milder winter climate, and my very first winter parka was donated to me by my dad’s friend who immigrated to Montreal in the ‘80s (his daughter had outgrown it). I knew that one day, I would be able to do the same for someone else, and in the past 5 years, I have donated to women’s shelters by helping fulfill a family’s wishlist around the holidays. Find a local kids charity, a toy drive, a family shelter, a youth shelter, or a food bank and contribute within your comfort and means. The holidays can be tough for children, who see their classmates bathing in gifts and nice clothes. Collectively we have the power to help many. If you prefer to also donate via volunteerism that is also an option. Consider organizing drives around your living community and assisting neighbours gather toys and other donations for a bulk donation. Giving back truly feels good. I would love to hear any personal stories you have of giving back or any ideas and suggestions for ways to get involved. Please email me at hello@carebee.ca. I have also listed some examples of charities, or organizations.
This concludes the truly impactful gift-giving guide. With that said, we also believe in having a good holiday time and indulging in some fun with family members. The holidays are a great way to get out and experience that holiday cheer to the extent that we can! Here are some unique gift ideas for you and your friends and loved ones, as most are on SALE!
Thank you for reading and I wish you happy gift-making, connecting and shopping!
Bzzz,
Dani
Noteworthy Gifts, Currently on Sale!
1 - Aura Frame - save $60 on a frame
Why we like it: it’s a digital frame and anyone can load pictures on the frame from their phone, from any place in the world. Your kids can constantly upload new pictures of your grandkids and how nice it is when a new picture of your family pops up in your living room as you are watching TV.
2 - Create your family story with Storyworth - save $10 until January 1
Why we like it: what a beautiful way to preserve family memories and history by creating your family book. It sparks beautiful conversations with your loved ones and a collective project together. Let the family memories live on for generations to come.
3 - Gold Hug Ring - save $40
Why we liked it: this ring depicts beautifully what a warm and fuzzy embrace from a loved one would look and feel like. It’s a great way to show someone that you care about them. The ring is also easily size adjustable, so it’s sure to fit anyone.
4 - Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit - save 40% on tickets
Why we love it: if you like art and music, then this is the perfect gift to get out and immerse in the world of an artist. This experience is for all ages. Not a deal to miss!
