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Let’s Get Sentimental: A Heartfelt Gift Guide for XMAS ‘23

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at McMaster chapter.

Christmas is around the corner — the music has started and the ads are out. Every gift guide list advises insanely expensive gifts like AirPods or new shoes — if you’re trying to save your wallet or get more meaningful, here are a few gifts to help!

1. Photo album

Not only is this gift easy to throw together, but you can also get creative! Turn this photo album into a specific memory lane, like a trip you may have taken together or a series of concerts you guys have gone to. Here is one of my favorite inspo pics. 

2. A You-Made Gift

Do you crochet, paint, play an instrument, or write poetry? Dedicate a piece of your work to a loved one this holiday! The effort and time that goes into a personally made gift is incomparable to buying one. If you don’t have a practicing art, pick one up! Take a swing at something new, just for your loved one. 

3. Small Gift Sets

Build a basket for your loved ones, personalized for their wants and needs! If your mom loves to bake, fill this basket with baking utensils, ingredients, and maybe a new whisk. If your SO loves to journal, buy them a new notebook, a good set of pens, and brainstorm some journal prompts. These don’t have to be expensive! Go to your local discount store or take a trip to the thrift. Include a heartfelt card, and you’re set.

4. Christmas Tree Ornaments

No matter how many ornaments they may have, there is always more room on the Christmas tree! These ornaments will be cherished for years and will always be useful. There are so many different ways to complete this craft: clay ornaments, crocheted baubles, painted-on wood slab ornaments (my favs!). Find tutorials on YouTube and get crafting. If you’re not the craftiest, tons of Etsy creators do personalized ornaments. 

5. Tickets to an Experience 

Experiences are something that people don’t generally buy themselves, and that’s what makes them so special — gifting someone a lifelong memory is simply priceless. There are endless concerts to see, arts to learn, spas to visit, and plane rides to get on. 

Christmas is all about giving! No matter which you choose, your loved one will appreciate the extra thought that these sentimental gifts come with. Happy holidays!

Katrina Lefebvre is a writer at the Her Campus, apart of the McMaster University chapter. She is driven by writing about current social justice issues, female empowerment, psychology, pop-culture, and advice. Aside from her role at Her Campus, Katrina is a 2nd year at McMaster University, pursuing a degree in Psychology, with hopes of becoming a child therapist. With this aspect, she plans to apply her knowledge in psychology to every-day girlhood. Previously, she has been apart of the representative union for marginalized students at her school board, to which she would lead delegations and protests to protect non-Catholic students, 2SLGBTQ+ students, the POC student body, and female student leaders. Through this position, she has had the opportunity to lead educational curriculums and presentations on social justice issues around the Halton region. Her mission at Her Campus is to use the platform to spread information, and to gain more experience in writing about things like celebrity events and fashion. When she’s not knee-deep in essay writing and statistics homework, she enjoys long walks down thrift-store aisles, watching live music, and collecting knick-knacks. She’s got other part-time hobbies on pause, including but not limited to attempted crocheting, painting, photography, gardening, hiking, interior design, tarot cards, and other what-nots.