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Low-cost gift of a lifetime

Your 1-minute-a-week shortcut to
always having awesome gift ideas well in advance.
My attempt to make you smile
before getting to today’s gift ideas
Hi gift-givers! What happens when you contribute to a community of thousands of gift-givers who are eager to offer gift inspiration to each other by sharing the best gifts they have ever received or given…?
Smiles. Lots of them.
One-ish more thing(s)
before today’s gift ideas
Want to know my absolute favorite part of running Better Gift Coach?
When subscribers share their gift stories to make BGC so much better than I could ever make it myself.
I couldn’t stop smiling when Dawn, the subscriber behind today’s story, emailed me with the heartfelt gift idea below. I also couldn’t stop smiling while writing these words because I’m considering the happiness this story will bring to you, those you might forward this to, and potential recipients of this gift.
Thank you to everyone who has already shared stories of the best gifts they’ve ever given/received.
If you haven’t shared a story yet…I can’t wait to hear from you.
Estimated read time: 2 minutes & 45 seconds
Gift idea time! Here’s a story of a
great gift to spark your creativity
The “crowdsourced memories" Gift:
For my dad's 60th birthday, I gave him a packet of 60 letters in 60 envelopes - each from someone who was involved in his life. I sent an email to dozens of friends and family and Facebook messaged people from his past when I didn't have an email address. They could send me a handwritten letter or card or email me their thoughts about my dad, favorite memories and funniest stories.
It was the most special gift ever to give and receive and it only cost me my time. We all had tears streaming down our faces from the touching letters and hilarious, untold stories.
My dad tragically passed away in an accident 7 years later, so I'm so thankful I was able to give him that gift.
Why this gift is great
Budget-friendly
Sooooo thoughtful
Leverages the power of nostalgia
Takes the 🎁memory slips gift idea and supercharges it
Creates a family heirloom with appreciating sentimental value
Brainstorming your version of this gift
Dawn pretty much provided a winning blueprint…but I’ll try my best to help you further brainstorm your version(s) of this gift.
Don’t feel obligated to get as many submissions as Dawn did…I think 10+ submissions would still be a special gift.
If undertaking this gift, plan ahead, set clear guidelines, and express gratitude to participants.
Enlist the help of “connectors” to groups of people from the recipient’s past.
Other gift ideas that can be crowdsourced:
Video montage – Edit together short video messages from friends/family
Collaborative Artwork – Create a collage or mural by enlisting others to each contribute a small piece of artwork.
Playlist or Music Compilation – Combine song submissions from friends/family of the gift-recipient into a playlist. See 🎁Viva la mixtape: free, but priceless for more on gifting mixtapes/playlists.
Recipe Collection – Ask friends/family to contribute favorite recipes and compile them in a cookbook. See 🎁How to make great dinners last forever for more on cookbook gift ideas.
Charity or Community Project – Rally a group to contribute funds or volunteer time to support a cause dear to the gift-recipient. See 🎁10x my gift! How? for more on charity as a gift.
Crowdsource gift idea occasions:
Birthdays
Retirements
Graduations
Anniversaries
Moving-aways
Making this gift happen
Who in your life would love receiving this gift?
Who can you enlist as a connector to other potential contributors?
Spread some love! Share this gift idea
Forward this email to:
The best networker(s) you know
Someone with a loved one approaching a milestone celebration
And introduce them to your favorite 1-minute-a-week shortcut to always having awesome gift ideas well in advance. They can read past editions and subscribe here.
Inspire others!
Share the stories of your best gifts
Please reply to this email ~ or ~ click the button below if you have stories of awesome gifts that you can share with the community that fall under the below topics:
Crowdsourced gifts
Gifts found at thrift or antique shops
Any memorable gift you’ve received or given
Your input helps others brainstorm
My attempt to send
you off with a smile
Stay giftastic,
Patrick Kucharson
Better Gift Coach
P.S. Who could use some help brainstorming a retirement gift? Reply to this email with some details and I’d be glad to lend some ideas.
Subscribers putting BGC
gift ideas into action
Have you been inspired by a gift idea shared in the BGC newsletter? It would be the highlight of my week to hear from you about it! Here’s who made my week:
In response to 🎁Wedding guests sitting on a gift goldmine, I received the following comment:
“What an absolute wonderful idea to have a painting made of the bridal bouquet !! I am definitely going to do this when my kids get married. Thanks Patrick! By the way, I look forward to Better Gift Coach each week. ”
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More gift ideas
Want more? Past popular posts:
🎁 A Stinky Kid’s Birthday Gift
🎁 Gift-giving’s most taboo question
🎁 Almost everything has a cuter identical twin
Or search by category: last-minute, experience, tradition, less than $20, holiday bonuses, best practices, donations, group, wedding, housewarming, baby shower, foodie, virtual, workplace, kids, anniversary, long distance, just because, bereavement, graduation, mother’s day, father’s day
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