Using Art as the Perfect Gift
Gift giving no longer has to be bland. You can use your
talents to spruce up your gift giving this year.
What is Art?
Art can have a number of different definitions depending on who you talk to. Whatever definition I dare to give, will undoubtedly
generate a rush of critics who passionately disagree and will offer their own personal definitions. Therefore, I will not define
what I consider art. Art can be a noun, or it can be a verb. Some say it is an “art” to paint a landscape portrait,
or it is an “art” to arrange furniture in a room to achieve perfect feng shui. My husband has even stated it is an
“art” to hang drywall.
Turning Art into a Gift
Everyone has some sort of talent. Maybe it is being organized; maybe it is a less subtle talent such as painting or photography.
Creating a gift from talent is one of the most meaningful gifts one can give. Kids give parents homemade birthday cards, or anniversary
cards and parents hold onto these in a dusty box hidden away in an attic or basement, waiting for future generations to find.
As we get older, we may not make homemade birthday cards, but we can express our creativity in many other ways. For example,
many years ago before my husband and I were even dating, he decided to paint some flowers for me rather than having them delivered.
He knew I would have chosen the painting over a real vase of flowers. I still have the painting hanging on the wall.
Giving Gifts can be an Art
I believe it is an “art” to know how to give gifts. A dear friend of mine, has an artistic flair, and definitely
knows how to give gifts. First she understands the personality of whom she is giving the gift for. She then considers the occasion
and using the two bits of information she always manages to craft the perfect gift. For example, for my bridal shower, she managed
to put together piece by piece the perfect gift basket for my new life. She knew the personalities of both my husband and I and
chose every item according to what she knew about us. Not many people would think to put Lysol cleaning wipes in a bridal gift
basket, but she knew my husband has a slight case of germ-phobia. On the other hand, for our wedding gift, she crafted a beautiful
knit blanket by hand. It was a gift that took her many days and nights, and it was gift she knew we would treasure. How right
she was, because I plan to keep it as long as I’m alive. Both gifts could not have been more artistically crafted.
Giving gifts is not always easy, especially around Christmas
and the holidays. We all feel the pressure is on to buy the perfect gift for everyone on your list. It is not just one person
you have to buy for, it is your family, nieces, nephews, friends, and don’t forget co-workers. For those less inclined
in the artistic flair of gift giving, let me offer a suggestion. Try gift baskets. Gift baskets are decorated artistically and
come in all varieties based on themes, occasions and even ethnicity. A theme may be related to a sport such as golf. Such a gift
is appropriate for a boss. Another occasion may be the Christmas holiday where Christmas
food gift baskets would be a suitable choice. An example of a cultural gift basket would be an Italian
gift basket, filled with food items related to Italian cooking. Olive oils, olives, cheeses, and pasta to name a few.
No matter what the occasion, if you have the opportunity to take a talent, albeit poetry, songwriting or painting, give the gift
of art. It is priceless. It is the perfect gift.
Author Bio: Elizabeth Krause lives in Central Virginia
with her husband and 14 year old black and white cat. She enjoys photography and working on the computer. She spends her spare
time relaxing by writing and working on her cooking website where she writes about simple
Italian recipes and other cooking related topics such as food related gifts, like cheese
baskets.
