Diversity for the Masses

I’m not planning to go shopping on Friday. I am going shopping Saturday and if I see something for someone on my list I will get it. When I was younger, I would wait until the last minute to do my shopping and then just buy things for the people on my list. My parents, grandmother and best friend generally got some great gifts. The other people on my list weren’t as lucky because I bought them what I wanted to get them and since I was shopping last minute I didn’t take a lot of time to think about the presents I would give. 

Think before your purchase. I have learned from my past. Price isn’t important either. An inexpensive, well-planned gift is much better than one that is expensive and hastily considered. Don’t think so? What about those pre-wrapped gifts that you can buy at almost any store? They are pre-wrapped because it is easy and convenient just to pick something up and requires very little thought. Even if you are getting multiple gifts for people in a group or club, like let’s say the assistants at the office, or book club members, try to select different colors or something that would make the gift unique.

For years I would give gifts to my Sunday School students or when I was a classroom teacher homeroom students. Even if I gave them a pen or pencil, I would try to make it so that each student got something that seemed unique – just by changing the wrapping or giving half of the students blue pens instead of black. Also buying pencils that were holiday/winter themed pencils in a variety pack also helped so that even though they were “getting the same thing” everyone received something that was slightly different.

Giving out mugs with candy or tea in them, or plastic cups (like the kind you find at Walgreens on sale for 8 for $1)? Select different patterns on each cup or use “the same but different” approach when filling them. Instead of everyone receiving peppermints, buy some spearmint candy (green and white striped candy) and fill some mugs with that.

Even gifts for the masses can have some diversity to them and still be appealing.