Cheap but tasteful holiday gift ideas

If you’ve got a big family, either at home, or at work, to buy Christmas presents for, you might want to pay keen attention to this next story. Ann-Marie Williams made it her mission today to find cheap, but tasteful gift ideas.

Ann-Marie Williams, Reporting

Every Belizean looks forward to getting a new calendar at this time of year. However, it’s a gift that’s seldom found under the Christmas tree. The Angelus Press wants to change that. They’re encouraging Belizeans to buy locally made calendars for gifts. Sales Manager, Alberto Young says the various scenes on the calendars capture a slice of Belizean life.

Alberto Young, Sales Manager, Angelus Press

“The carnival scenes, we have historic landmarks where we feature the St. John’s Cathedral, Supreme Court. We have also, some of the scenes from the islands, but they are all local scenes, they’re printed in Belize, they’re designed by Belizeans, the photographs are taken by Belizeans. And it’s basically in conjunction with this buy Belizean campaign and we want to tell people they can have calendars printed here at a reasonable price to give to their customers at the end of the year.”

And since it’s customary for businesses to give back at least a calendar to their customers at the end of the year, Young is making an appeal to employers.

Alberto Young

“Well, we want to encourage the businesses and individuals to come in, purchase these calendars. We have ten scenes, they have a variety to chose from, there are really no minimum quantities that people can buy. And it’s a good gift to give to your customer or friend or maybe someone living in the U.S. at Christmas time. It’s of course, local and something that I’m sure many people will appreciate receiving at Christmas time.”

And if you’re looking for small treasured items, Johnny Chiang of the Art Box in Belmopan has some delicate pieces.

Johnny Chiang, Owner, Art Box

“All the baskets are from P.G. We got a lady who do these for a living, and they use the straw to make these baskets, and there are earrings too. They are very unique and very nice.”

There’s something for everyone, including journal and paper lovers. All these materials are made from recycled paper.

Johnny Chiang

“We recycle paper to make them. We dried local flowers to put into it to make the paper and then we make bookmarks, or notebooks.”

Ann-Marie Williams for News 5.