I live for giving a thoughtful gift. Anyone can buy something off a shelf, but because I am ridiculously and probably unhealthily competitive, my goal is to always have the favorite gift in the bunch.
This is not always so easy when you are a hot mess 90% of the time. What do I mean by this? I have great intentions and grand ideas. However, by the time the actual party rolls around I did not plan in advance to get the gift I would have wanted, and in many occasions I forgot the party was even happening until that day. This is a very real problem of mine. So much so that as a real/gag gift one of my girlfriends bought me a Calendar for my birthday.
It is really a miracle that they still let me be their friend after all, so I am really trying!
Anyway, I have the perfect solve for someone just like me who wants to win “gift of the day” but may not have a lot of time or money to make it happen. OR maybe you just want to crush the friend-game with a “just because” gift. Who doesn’t love those!
I actually stole this idea from my friend Liz, who dropped by to give us a gift on our “would-have-been-wedding day” and I was instantly obsessed and now it’s my go-to.
I give you… The perfect gift! I am actually a little sad that I am publishing this because in many ways it means I won’t be able to give it anymore. People will be on to me! Or, someone else from my group will beat me to the punch.
A sentimental photo in a nice frame is a great gift. However, we are not going for great we are going for the BEST. Don’t just print that photo on photo paper, get it printed on canvas! (OOOOOOOOOHHHHHH, AAAAAHHHHHH)
A canvas print in a larger size makes a statement. It can hold it’s on on a wall alone, as part of a gallery or standing on a surface on its own.
I feel like we are in a time where photos live forever digitally and never actually get printed or displayed so this is a great way to celebrate whatever special occasion you are looking for.
It is also inexpensive enough to be a complement to another gift. For example, I had already sent a gift to my friend Courtney for her baby shower. She had just had her maternity photos taken that week so I hustled on the way to the shower to get it printed on canvas.
You may ask, “But, Jesse, how did you manage to do that so quickly?” Well.. I know Walgreens for sure will have this ready same day (so will several other drugstores). Huge on a day you forgot the party was happening. Most of the time they are also offering killer deals. The canvas I got for Courtney was size 11 x 14 and after using it the coupon was less than $25.
Coupon Code: Walgreens CARDGIFTS
For the ultimate ultimate through this together trick, I picked up the canvas on my way to the party so I brought gift wrap, scissors and tape with me and wrapped it in the car to the shower. Would not recommend, but Kevin had to stop for gas on the way so it gave me a 5-minute window to be standing still.
So, next time you pick up that invitation you RSVP’d to three weeks ago and managed to forget about and now the party is tomorrow – I got you! OR, you’re headed over to wine night and want to get an extra thoughtful hostess gift – done! Whatever the reason, this is a guaranteed crowd pleaser.
