What to give for Christmas? Ideas for thoughtful gifts

In pre-revolutionary Russia, Christmas was the main winter holiday. After 1917, the focus shifted to the secular New Year, and accordingly, gifts are now given precisely from December 31 to January 1. In recent years, the tradition of wishing each other Merry Christmas has been revived. True, the idea of ​​who to give what for Christmas has not yet been fully formed. This largely depends on whether the person is a believer or not, on family traditions, but there are also commonplaces, so we’ll talk about them.

In this article:

• Cute souvenirs;
• Christmas gifts for lovely ladies;
• How to please the stronger sex;
• We extend the holiday for children;
• Christmas tokens for friends;
• Let's not forget about the parents;
• Gifts for adult daughters and sons.

Traditional Christmas gifts

At Christmas, the emphasis should be on symbolism, spirituality and pleasant emotions, because this holiday is bright and, above all, spiritual. In the old days, those who could afford it gave expensive gifts and generous donations. But now the main material gifts remain for the New Year, and on Christmas it is worth presenting something that will preserve your love and affection and remind the recipient of this.

Candles

A candle is one of the most symbolic Christmas gifts, because it symbolizes light, warmth and faith. On January 7, it is customary to light candles and place them near the window, thus asking to bless your home. A candle also means comfort, tranquility, and magic.

The selection of candles is huge. There is a theory that a candle of a certain color expresses your wishes for the holiday. So a white candle symbolizes purity of thoughts, a red candle symbolizes courage and masculinity, a yellow candle symbolizes femininity, and a blue candle symbolizes serenity. The best souvenir will be a simple candle, decorated with your own hands. For example, cut out a design from a napkin you like and use a heated spoon to “stick” it to a candle - you will get an original present.

Symbols of faith and Christmas

Classic gifts include figurines of angels, icons, the Bible and other spiritual books. It is better that such souvenirs are small; try to find out in advance how those to whom you are going to give something feel about Christmas and Orthodoxy in general. And if you can choose a figurine of an angel to your taste, then the church shop will always tell you about an icon or spiritual literature.

Christmas sweets

Since Christmas is preceded by a fairly long fast, treats and sweets have always been part of the celebration. Recently, many Western traditions have been coming, including very beautiful gingerbread cookies in the form of men, lollipops, etc., gingerbread houses and other sweets. Of course, if you have the opportunity and desire, it is better to bake sweets yourself. Even if you don't decorate them.

Traditionally Russian sweets were gingerbread, pies, and candied fruit. And there had to be kutya on the festive table. So whether to give a real honey gingerbread or a multi-colored gingerbread man is up to you.

Christmas souvenirs

If we recall Russian literature, it turns out that the bell is another constant companion of Christmas. You can decorate a Christmas tree or a composition of fir branches and candles with bells. This is a universal gift that will always please.

For people who are not very religious, you can choose a Christmas-themed photo frame or some other decoration for your home.

A great gift for Christmas that fully corresponds to the spirit of the holiday is a Christmas card. The main thing is to sign it by hand. After all, this is a holiday of kindness, mercy, and helping loved ones. A card is a great way to show that you love and always remember those you give it to.

Spruce wreath

Another newcomer from the West - the Advent wreath - has firmly taken its place in Christmas paraphernalia. After all, Orthodox churches have been decorated with fir branches or compositions made from them since ancient times. The wreath has a deep spiritual meaning, because... circle – eternal life, green – color of life.

The wreath can be hung on the door or decorated with it on the table. A wreath with 4 candles is considered traditional. But you can make it yourself, decorating it with something that the recipient will like and will be meaningful to him.

What do they give in other countries?

All Christians on the planet, on the eve of the holiday, are racking their brains about what to give to friends and relatives for Christmas:

• In the USA, they leave a receipt in the package to return to the store or exchange.
• In Belgium, a gift is accompanied by a card that explains in detail the reason why it was given to you.
• The Dutch give envelopes with different amounts of money to family members and anyone involved in everyday life - for example, the postman.
• The frosty climate of Greenland preserves the donated ice sculptures in front of the entrance to the house.
• The British will be delighted by small gifts, but expensive ones will be confused.
• Austrians prefer tickets to the opera. They often leave notes for relatives with a list of what they want, including the address of the store.
• In France, it is indecent to give perfumes and cosmetics to non-family members.
• The ideal Italian gift consists of luxury items and attributes of the sweet life: expensive wine, a silk muffler or a tie from a famous fashion house.

What to give a woman and girl for Christmas

An excellent gift for a girl would be one of the following things:

• Jewelry

If the girl is a believer, you can choose a pendant, charm or bracelet with the words of prayer.

• Bouquet of fruits

Even though fruits are sold all year round now, such a bright and juicy gift will warm the heart of any lady on this holiday.

• Cooking supplies

If you know for sure that a woman loves to bake, give her baking dishes in bright colors and unusual shapes. Surely she dreams of them, but it seems unreasonable to her to buy them if she has ordinary ones.

Ideal gifts for the keeper of the family hearth

The parental home is a place where children always return with pleasure, no matter how far away they are. And this is primarily my mother’s merit. After all, she, like a real sorceress, creates a warm atmosphere and takes care of her family. Gifts such as:

• a bread machine, with the help of which it will be easier than ever to delight your household with fresh and aromatic baked goods;
• robot vacuum cleaner - this smart assistant will make daily cleaning less tiring and troublesome;
• an original table lamp that will fill the room with soft light;
• a large, chunky knit blanket—looks very stylish and unusual;
• a large photo album in which you can easily place your favorite photos of the whole family, or a digital photo frame for the same purposes - for those who enjoy using modern gadgets;
• several sofa cushions with bright colors will enliven and decorate the interior of any room, especially since you can order pillowcases for them with photo printing, choosing the most memorable and touching moments of their family chronicle;
• portable speaker with radio and USB drive - you can place it in any room and enjoy your favorite music or listen to the latest news non-stop.

Pack the chosen gift in beautiful paper in green and red shades and place it under the elegant Christmas tree. May dear mother find him there on Christmas morning!

When choosing a gift for mom, listen to your heart. It will definitely tell you which surprise will be the most sincere and successful.

Gifts for a guy or a man

• A warm scarf or gloves (especially if they are touch sensitive) will please a man and will always be useful.
• Sweater

True, we must act carefully. You should not choose something with a huge deer. It is better to give preference to quality, find out what colors a man likes. And if you choose a sweater with Christmas symbols, then it should be almost invisible.

• Hobby

If you know well about a man's preferences, please him with something that will be useful to him. An accessory for your favorite car, accessories for gadgets, a thermos or a new spinner - depending on your hobbies.

• Thermal mug

A useful present. There are, for example, car thermal mugs with a USB connector. However, if you don't already live together, make sure that under the bed/in the closet, etc., your boyfriend doesn't keep a box with a dozen of these mugs.

An offering to the altar of health and beauty

Even adult children care about their mother’s appearance and health. You can easily show how much you care with a special gift. Choose from these options:

• Eau de toilette, tonic or perfume, presented either in the classic version or in the form of a new product that is gaining popularity.
• Some decorative cosmetics suitable for a mother according to her age. Natural remedies or a handmade option with herbal ingredients would be best.
• Costume jewelry and jewelry that meet the tastes, character and lifestyle of the recipient.
• A large warm scarf or snood will warm your soul and body in the January frosts.
• Orthopedic pillows or a mattress will take care of comfort.
• Subscription for a relaxing therapeutic massage.
• Payment for fitness or yoga classes.

Christmas gifts for children

If Santa Claus has already brought children new toys or gadgets for the New Year, then Christmas gifts should be meaningful and age-appropriate.

• Even the little ones will appreciate a beautiful edition of a book with their favorite fairy tales or a children's Bible with colorful illustrations.
• An older child will be delighted with a new board game or set for chemistry/physics, etc. experiments.
• Handicraft or handicraft kits will also make a good and pleasant gift.
• For children under one year old, you can give some kind of educational toy - soft cubes with pictures, pyramids, musical sorters (after 6 months).
• Another universal gift would be a glass ball with an angel inside, sparkling snow and music. Suitable from 0 to infinity.

How to choose a gift for mom?

You need to be prepared for the purchase and feel it in advance. The main thing when choosing any gift is that there is no rush. Allow enough time for shopping, since trying to buy a gift on the go will lead to the fact that you buy an item “without a soul.” If you are not sure that you have found a suitable gift, then it is better not to buy the thing, but to “sleep” the night with this thought - and in the morning you will make the right decision.

A Christmas gift for mom needs to be thought out and chosen in advance.

If the gift has already been purchased, do not forget about the packaging - mom will be pleased that you took care not only of the contents, but also of the appearance of the box. Opening gifts and wondering what was given this year is one of the greatest holiday pleasures. And the last rule: Christmas gifts must be chosen with special love and a drop of our spiritual warmth must be conveyed with them. Take your time and do everything right!

Gifts for friends for Christmas

You can please your friends with Christmas symbols or a beautiful composition of pine needles and candles. You can also collect or buy a beautiful basket with sweets, fruits and drinks.

If you know that your friends are dreaming of something useful and you can afford it, go for it. Angels and frames are good, but the space in the apartment is not rubber. And a slow cooker or sandwich maker, for example, will bring more joy, and you will have an extra reason to come for a treat.

Handmade gifts

The ideal gift for this holiday is one made by yourself. After all, the things that you do specifically for someone carry your energy, good feelings for this person, love and warmth. They are unique, made in a single copy, and therefore priceless.

Among the DIY Christmas gifts, the following popular options include:

• homemade cookies, gingerbread, gingerbread houses, cupcakes and other goodies;
• cards and paper cut out angels;
• Christmas wreath made of pine needles, decorated with bows, bells, holly;
• hand-knitted clothing and home decor items;
• painted plates and cups.

If you are not ready to do something with your own hands, but you want to give a souvenir made by hand, contact the craftsmen and take a walk through the Christmas markets. In Europe, for example, most people buy gifts for Catholic Christmas at special Christmas markets, which are organized in almost every city on the eve of this beloved holiday. In Russia, such fairs are also becoming popular.

Don’t try to choose the perfect or super useful gift for Christmas; on such a holiday, the main thing is your impulse of heart, your warmth and love for your loved ones. Even the smallest souvenir, bought or made with your own hands, can become the most expensive.

What to give to parents (mom and dad)?

It's always difficult to choose a gift for the most important people in life. If there is no exact knowledge or all wishes were fulfilled for the New Year, then mom will certainly be delighted with a box for jewelry or memorable little things, decorated in a Christmas theme.

You can also please your mother with a beautiful Christmas set. Or a new handbag.

It is believed that sweets and chocolate are gifts exclusively for women, but dad will also be happy with a set of good quality chocolate or a bottle of expensive strong drink.

You can choose a gift certificate for both mom and dad and give them an unforgettable experience. The main thing is that if the parents are not extreme sports enthusiasts, do not give them skydiving or a loop flight.

Touching surprises from the little ones

Minor children, as a rule, do not have their own money that they could spend on a Christmas gift for their beloved mother. But it's not scary at all. A little free time and inspiration will help you create a real masterpiece that will become the most expensive gift in the world for your mother:

1. Postcard with a beautiful applique on a holiday theme. Decorate it with openwork cutouts in the form of angels, snow-covered trees or stars.
2. A cover for a cup, knitted from bright yarn or sewn from felt, which will help your favorite drinks stay warm for as long as possible. Any girl with minimal needlework skills can create such a present for her mother.
3. Wooden coasters are a good option for a Christmas surprise from a caring son. It’s great if you can get a whole piece of wood. Such coasters, carefully sanded and varnished, will look very stylish and homely.
4. Christmas tree decorations made of papier-mâché, painted by the child himself. Who knows, perhaps such a surprise will mark the beginning of a unique collection of handmade toys that will be passed down from generation to generation.
5. A self-baked pie with the recipient of such a surprise’s favorite filling. Of course, young children should only do this under the strict guidance of adults - dad or grandmother!

A creative surprise in the form of a poem or song of your own composition, a small skit or dance will decorate the evening. Moreover, the recipient of the surprise is the gentlest and kindest critic for his own child, and such a gift will certainly be received with delight.

The most important thing for a mother is the attention of her children. Therefore, even the smallest and most modest gift will be very dear to her.

Gifts for your son or daughter on Christmas night

For parents, children at any age remain children, so even if the children are adults, you still want to congratulate them on Christmas with something special.

If the children are teenagers, then following the old Russian tradition, you can give them some money or issue homemade certificates for additional time to watch TV or play on the computer.

For adult children, you can simply write a congratulation and invite them to a beautifully and deliciously set table.

Remember that the Holy Day is a family holiday and it is not so much gifts that are important as attention. May Christmas 2022 be kind and happy!

How to deal with choosing gifts for the whole family: step-by-step instructions

At Christmas it is customary to give a gift to each family member. And if you have a large family, then the choice of gifts can take a long time and cost you a pretty penny. How to avoid this? I suggest taking it step by step.

Such simple rules and tips at first glance will help you choose gifts in advance and please your loved ones with them.