Oprah's Favorite Gifts: Gratitude Boxes

Trying to think of that perfect gift for someone you love can be overwhelming, especially if you're looking for a heart-felt gift item that isn't mass produced. Look no further for your one of a kind gift idea: Gratitude boxes. Not only are these extremely light on your budget, but they are fun to make and very original.

Rummage around your closet for an old shoe box, or purchase a small box at a store. Boxes begin at $1 at your local dollar store and go up depending on the quality and size of the box. Go for cardboard and shoebox size or smaller. You can visit your local arts and crafts store as in Michaels or Hobby Lobby. These stores are a good idea because then you can purchase all the fun things you are going to use to decorate your gratitude box at the same time. If you already have craft items laying around, that's just another reason why this is a perfect gift idea for you.

Oprah's website suggests covering the box with wrapping paper and using hot-glue to decorate the top of the box with cranberries. Here are some other recommendations:

Cover entire box with colored or festive tissue paper and then cut out and glue pictures on the top of the box, making a personable collage.

Wrap box with foil and paste beads all around the edges.

Stick tiny Christmas bows all around box (except bottom) and on top of lid. Glue a ½ inch to 1 inch ribbon around the outer edges of the lid.

This is a great way to get the kids involved and can keep them involved for hours. Kids love to be creative, so have numerous decorating choices available. They can also cover the box in construction paper of one color and then cut out Christmas trees, angels, and wreaths in another color.

The final and most important thing you will do to complete your present, is to write ways in which the person you are making the gift for has touched your life on separate pieces of paper. Be sure to include specific ways in which you appreciate him/her.

I hope this gift idea makes your Christmas extra special this year. It's no wonder that these thoughtful boxes are one of Oprah's favorite gift ideas. Merry Christmas!