Yes, that was my very question last year! For the past few years, we have been gifting my husband's family members with homemade or semi-homemade gifts at Christmas. Usually, we come up with an idea and make different versions of the same gift for each person or couple. Well, last year I had plans to make "Morning Out Kits" for the ladies in my husband's family as well as for one of my sisters. Although their husbands might have enjoyed a coffee gift card, I didn't see them enjoying a fabric coffee sleeve or embellished journal. So, I had to get creative. I needed to create a gift that would be welcomed by a talented wildlife artist, a former youth pastor turned assistant director of a consulting company, computer systems administrator, and a general contractor. They've got various interests but one thing in common. They love their wives. So, I enlisted my husband's help and created a Romance Kit!
In our version of the kit, we included:
- A card explaining the gift (authored by my husband -- I didn't think it would come across as well if it came from me. You know, a woman telling another man that he should romance his wife? Yeah, that's a job better suited to my husband.)
- A mini bottle of champagne. You should be able to find mini bottles of nicer bottles of champagne in a liquor store or somewhere like World Market or BevMo. However, you should be able to find a 4-pack of Cook's champagne at your local grocery or drug store...at least in California you can.
- Some chocolate. My preference is Lindt Lindor Truffles or Ghiradelli Squares are nice too! You can buy one bag and split it among several gifts. Or, a mini box of chocolates would be great too. See's Candy sells a small Mini Holiday Fancy Box (through fundraisers) that would fit the bill nicely.
- A candle. I purchased a multi-pack of small tea light candles in glass holders and put one in each gift. Right now, candles are going on sale at drug stores. You should be able to get them very inexpensively - probably even 50% off for holiday scents. (I think Rite Aid has that sale going on this week.)
- Massage Oil. You can purchase a multi-pack of six small bottles (0.5 ounce) of KY Touch Massage Oil in various scents.
This makes a pretty frugal gift if you make several of them and spread the expense across them all. Plus, there isn't really much handmade about it at all -- just buy the various items, write a card and package it up.
It would also be a good gift for newlyweds or new parents who need time to reconnect. You could easily turn it into a Date Night gift by throwing in a gift card to a restaurant and an offer of babysitting. What parent wouldn't love that?
I'm not sure how many of my recipients actually used the gift (yeah, I didn't ask), but it was good for a laugh. Especially, when they read the card that was authored by my husband (here's what he wrote):
Okay, here's the deal.
Your wife has received a "Woman's Morning Out Kit".
She thinks this gift is for her, but in reality when she comes home she will be ready for an...
EVENING WITH HER MAN.
It is in fact, just part 1 of 2 gifts designed for you, her husband.
When she comes home, she'll be all fulfilled and warm inside from all of her introspection and self-reflection. Now is the time to turn on the charm and use your kit:
Have the champagne chilled, the candle lit, and the chocolates and massage oil out.
Oh, and make sure the kids are in bed or at their friend's house.
Good luck and have a Merry Christmas!
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