According to the Bible story, three wise men took gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the little baby Jesus in the manger of Bethlehem.
They did one of the most famous baby showers ever done. Likewise, Christians give presents to family members, friends and the needy as a way of remembering how the Magi honoured the God child.
And with that in mind, the array of gifts that you can buy this Christmas is endless. If you are ever going on a gift shopping spree, make sure you prepare a budget and stick to it. Also, set aside quality time to shop so that you take time to browse and choose something that the receiver will adore and cherish. Gifts come an endless array of colours, prices and types. Below The Sunday Times makes some gift suggestions, including the author’s pick.
Gifts Under $10
Ideas: Key tag, stress ball, pair of socks, personalised playing cards, marbles, dolls, car and train set, word puzzles, note pads, pencil case, drawing books and a bottle of homemade jam or pickle. My pick: Word puzzle. This can help reinforce spellings in your child’s mind, particularly in the case of puzzles like crosswords, where it’s crucial to spell linked words correctly to be able to complete the task. Word puzzles can also increase a child’s English vocabulary.
Gifts Under $20
Ideas: Glass of wine, coffee mug with a Christmas message, diary for the upcoming year, beer mug, T-shirts, bottle of wine, box of chocolates, coasters, ash tray, mobile phone case and cap. My pick: Diary. Experts believe the benefits of keeping a diary go much further than helping you keep track of your highs and lows and there are a number of health benefits of writing expressively. A diary is also a record book so it is handy if you want to find out about past dates and events.
Gifts Under $50
Ideas: Bracelet, bed sheet, towel, curtain, tea set, wall clock, novel, garden pots, candle set, lotion set, corner vase and photo frame, board game. My pick: Photo frame. Whether it’s a digital, metal or wooden frame, a photo(s) in it will help immortalise time and important moments in life. Photos document your journey and can relieve stress, stir the emotion and inspire your imagination.
Gifts for Children
Ideas: Board game, colouring paint, toys, lego set, scooter, water pistol, remote controlled car, inflatable pool, colouring book, comic book, bubble set and jigsaw puzzle My pick: Pool. An inflatable pool can be big enough to accommodate the whole family and when it does, creates an opportune space for close bonding and for enjoying moments of fun together. For a place like Fiji, this could the perfect place to cool down during humid and warm weather.
Gifts for Girls
Ideas: Scarf, bracelet, pendant, makeup set, coin purse, pedicure/manicure set, purse mirror, lip stick, handbag, sunglasses, nail paint, earrings and sports bra. My pick: Purse mirror. This is one of the most underrated gifts for girls but it gives one the ability to always have a grooming session while on the go. Looking someone’s best boosts confidence and confidence is sexy. But they both start from a mirror in the purse!
Gifts for Boys
Ideas: Underwear, vest, hankies, pocket knife, sneakers, cargo pants, T-shirts, earphones, boxer shorts, hair clipper, bicycle, caps, grooming set, play station and boots. My pick: Bicycle. Any exercise is better than no exercise but riding a bike offers a whole host of additional health benefits aside from just being a fun activity. Medical experts say riding a bicycle increases brainpower, increases self-esteem and improves your heart’s health.
Gifts for a Lover
Ideas: Wine, chocolate, a dinner for two, movie or concert tickets, travel, charm bracelet, watch, photo frame, personalised key chains, personalised pillows, warm shoes and champagne. My pick: Travelling with a loved one. Apart from visiting a new place, being more understanding and tolerant towards a culture different than yours is one of the greatest benefits of travelling. A quote by Saint Augustine goes like this, “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page”.
Gifts for your Husband
Ideas: Neck tie, tool box, leather belt, wallet, pair of socks, polo neck Tshirts, fishing gear, pair of sandals, shoes, gym set, cologne, after shave, a year’s gym fees and shaving gear. My pick: Fishing gear. This means that your husband will fre- quently take the whole family on fishing trips and this promotes the feeling of security and well-being, making fishing a worthwhile activity to learn. Fishing also builds up- per body strength and teaches the virtue of patience.
Gifts for your Wife
Ideas: Blender, microwave, per- fume, BBQ tool rack, wine rack, baking tray, recipe book, a year’s women’s magazine subscription, juicer, exercise machine and women’s trainer. My pick: Recipe book. If you believe in strategy, a recipe book is the best gift in the world to give. It makes sure mums will no longer have the excuse of not cooking a particular dish because they don’t know its recipe and ingredients. Furthermore, you will always have plenty of hearty meals to enjoy at home.
Gifts for the Elderly
Ideas: Holder for spectacles, painting, old music collection, warm shoes, nighties and pyja- mas, quilt, pillows, photo album, night light or torch, brooch, cuff links, warm socks and cardigan. My pick: Music collection. Studies show that soothing classical music has the ability to improve comfort and reduce pain. This is due to the effect of the music on the brain. Classical music is also a good stress reliever and mood changer – perfect for senior citizens who value peace and quiet.