There's always that one person you forget on your gift list, right? I'm here to help with 4 ideas.
1. If you have time, but you don't have any $$$:
Write a letter, a short story or a poem. Compose a song. Draw a picture. Create a 3-minute movie.
We creators forget how remarkable our talents are, even to other creators. Get a piece of paper and a pencil, turn the timer to 20 minutes and see what happens.
2. If you will have time in the future:
Time together. We have friends who have everything. We have close to everything. We certainly don't need more stuff. But we don't get to see each other as much as we would like. We don't give each other presents anymore. We do give each other a weekend together once a year. Together we have explored the Hudson River Valley, Savannah, Georgia, the Chesapeake and this year, for more than a weekend, Scotland. We know that we are extravagant, but you can go with an annual walk in the local park and you'll achieve the same result. The gift is putting aside the time for each other, so it doesn't really matter where you do it.
2. If you will have time in the future:
Time together. We have friends who have everything. We have close to everything. We certainly don't need more stuff. But we don't get to see each other as much as we would like. We don't give each other presents anymore. We do give each other a weekend together once a year. Together we have explored the Hudson River Valley, Savannah, Georgia, the Chesapeake and this year, for more than a weekend, Scotland. We know that we are extravagant, but you can go with an annual walk in the local park and you'll achieve the same result. The gift is putting aside the time for each other, so it doesn't really matter where you do it.
3. If you have under $25
These are my top 2 favorite books these days. Both are perfect for creators and non-creators.
The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp. Every creative person on the planet should own this book. Actually every person. Tharp, one of the greatest choreographers of our time, explains in great detail how she has thrived as a creator. My favorite chapter is the one about failing. Exercises included to get brains going. This book changes lives.
The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp. Every creative person on the planet should own this book. Actually every person. Tharp, one of the greatest choreographers of our time, explains in great detail how she has thrived as a creator. My favorite chapter is the one about failing. Exercises included to get brains going. This book changes lives.
Manage Your Day-To-Day: Build Your Routine, Find Your Focus & Sharpen Your Creative Mind, edited by Jocelyn K. Glei. Here's another must-have for anyone who wants more creativity in their lives. A series of essays on many topics, including how to manage your technology (including social media and email) and how to find time for creative projects. Because of this book, I create first thing in the morning and read emails in the afternoon. Buy it and find out why.
4. If you're rolling in the dough and willing to spend more than $50
Tickets. Yup. Tickets to concerts, plays, operas, art exhibits, museums. Most arts organizations now offer gift cards, like this one to the Walnut St. Theatre here in Philadelphia. In fact, if you buy THAT one, the lucky recipients could see me in Walnut's upcoming performance of Sister Act, or they could see the kid's show, Miss Nelson Has A Field Day, which I'll be directing. How's that for self-promotion AND a great gift?
By the way, artists, those discount tickets you often get offered by the producers of your show? They make great gifts.
Alright, these 4 ideas should get you started. I'd love to hear your Oh No ideas.
Tickets. Yup. Tickets to concerts, plays, operas, art exhibits, museums. Most arts organizations now offer gift cards, like this one to the Walnut St. Theatre here in Philadelphia. In fact, if you buy THAT one, the lucky recipients could see me in Walnut's upcoming performance of Sister Act, or they could see the kid's show, Miss Nelson Has A Field Day, which I'll be directing. How's that for self-promotion AND a great gift?
By the way, artists, those discount tickets you often get offered by the producers of your show? They make great gifts.
Alright, these 4 ideas should get you started. I'd love to hear your Oh No ideas.
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