6 Old-fashioned Gift Ideas for Springtime

Package carefully wrapped in light blue paper with twine tie and a small white note to represent old-fashioned gift ideas for springtime

Spring is filled with all kinds of occasions that call for cards, visits, phone calls, and gifts. It’s a time for birthdays, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, graduations, weddings, and baby showers. And how can you celebrate with more than a e-card or Facebook birthday post? Keep reading for some good, old-fashioned gift ideas for springtime.

Yes, Spring is a season for gift giving. So much to celebrate and remember!

And sometimes I stress about this.

What should I give?

My second-half of life experience has taught me a few things about gift-giving. Don’t get me wrong. I love 21st century gift-giving. I send plenty of e-gift cards, Facebook birthday messages, and click-to-order-and-ship that gift directly to the expectant mom and dad in minutes.

But like so much of my life, I am working to be more intentional and to slow down all kinds of things, including my gift-giving routine. Here’s my list of 6 old-fashioned gifts for the springtime, or any time.

My Favorite Old-fashioned Gift Ideas for Springtime

#1. A Simple Hand-written Note or Letter

A hand-written letter (in an envelope with a stamp) to say “I’m thinking of you” or “You are loved” is a beautiful thing. Not a text; not an email; not a hurry around town to find something to wrap, something she probably doesn’t need (unless it’s #2 which most everyone appreciates). Letter writing is a lovely old-fashioned practice, especially when it’s on pretty paper.

#2. A Book

This has always been my default gift. Sometimes it’s from my personal library. Other times it’s a brand-new delight, so they get the joy of opening a new book. (Did you know there is a proper way to open a book?) Everyone needs a good book, a pretty book, a baby book, a thoughtful book. I love to give books signed by the author!

#3. A Hug and a Listen

If I live close enough to see that special someone, then it’s high priority to give her a hug and spend time with her.

#4. A Phone Call

Gasp. I’m working on this one. I’ve become like so many. Picking up the phone and actually calling someone? We used to do this all. the. time. Today, it feels like an invasion of privacy. Maybe she’s in the middle of something like a meeting or cleaning her toilet. Usually, I text first. Got time to chat?

#5. A Hand-made Gift

I cannot sew to save my life and I’ve gotten super lazy in the kitchen, but I knit often because it keeps me from snacking while I watch my latest Netflix binge or listen to my audio book at night. While I can’t make something for all my loved ones, I love to love my people this way. (I wrote about my inconvenient knitting here.)

#6. A Visual Prayer Card or Bookmark

At the beginning of the month, I look at birthdays, celebrations, and anniversaries ahead. Then I write the person’s name in the center of a small card and over the next week or two, I doodle, pray over that person, doodle some more, pray, color, pray. Then I pop the card in the mail and seal it. Sometimes I’ll take a picture and text that. (See? I love techie things too.) This is a form of visual faith–if you’d like to learn more about it, you can read my post here. If you want to learn more about visual faith, check out the resources at Visual Faith® Ministry and Praying in Color.

But all these gifts take time, and sometimes I don’t plan well. Then I’ll do the next best thing and send a text message with a cute gif.

Grace.

It’s all a work-in-progress, isn’t it? This one precious life we have. These beautiful people we love.

I am called to walk in love, to offer gifts in love. These acts are but dim reflections of the offering Christ made for us in love. On the cross. For eternity.