Creative Gifts for Our Loved Ones

How we turned our time and talents into meaningful gifts for family and friends

by: Lucy Hood, from: AARP VIVA, Winter 2011‒2012

— Illustration by: Greg Clarke

En español | Like works of art, gifts can reflect unique expressions of our love. This season, we at AARP VIVA share with you the creative ways we’ve turned our time and talents into meaningful gifts for our friends and family. We hope our stories inspire you to draw from your own creativity.

See also: Get a head start on the holiday shopping.

Order from chaos

“Discard stuff. You can open space in your mind and your soul.”
—Gabriela Zabalúa-Goddard, vice president and editor

— Illustration by: Greg Clarke

Show her a mess, and Gaby will find a way to straighten it out. Often, as a gift, she shares her innate talent with friends and family — like her sister Silvina. Recently divorced, Silvina found herself with a walk-in closet stuffed with his-and-her items. "She was having a hard time making it feel like it was her own space," says Gaby. "So I went in there and turned it upside down."

Dozens of perfume bottles were neatly arranged on a tray. Clothes were organized by color. Silvina's worn (but still prized) shoes were sent to be repaired. "His" items were packed up and returned to the ex. "This was a way to help her liberate herself," says Gaby.

Next: Surprise! >>

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Smart gift-giving ideas

Charitable Giving. Make a donation in your loved one's name to a favorite cause. Check charities out at sites such as Charity Navigator or GuideStar.

Travel. Whet someone's love of travel with airline gift cards. Choose an airline that goes to a favorite destination, whether to visit family or take a dream trip.

Finance. For children who have enough stuff, put money into savings reserved for college. Consult a financial adviser for the best strategy, considering your budget and the economy.

Technology. Give the avid — or reticent — reader an e-reader or tablet, set up to get books free in English or Spanish from a local or online library.

Health. For an ill loved one and the caregivers, buy a whiteboard and markers, and improvise a system to notate the time, dose and administration of medicine.

Nutrition. For the foodie in your life, print out healthy recipes for each month and buy 12 bottles of wine to match. Check recipes with a Latin flavor by chef Denisse Oller.