I love Christmas and celebrating with family and friends. However, I do not love the craziness and the stuff-mania that is so exaggerated this time of year. Given the current economy I can see that more people are cutting back and really thinking about how they spend their money which is a good thing. However, on the other side of the equation are the merchants who want you to buy all sorts of stuff that most don't need. It is a true battle of marketing vs. your will power.I wanted to share some ideas for gifts that are low or no cost or gifts that do not take up more room on the planet. Over the years (even before the economic stresses) my siblings and I decided on a rule to minimize the cash outlay. Gifts needed to fall into one of three categories: homemade, an act of service, or cost $10 or less. Since $10 doesn't buy too much we typically use our creativity to make gifts for one another such as homemade cards or photo gifts or we make a paper gift certificate promising either help around the house or something similar. The possibilities are truly endless depending upon the skillset of the giver and the need of the recipient.
Here are some service ideas, but remember this is just the tip of the iceberg:
- An afternoon of gardening help
- Four hours of cleaning indoors or out(can set your own time frame)
- Bringing over a meal a few times during the year
- An evening or day of babysitting
- Baked goodies once/quarter, delivered to the recipient's house
- Help organizing around the house (kids clothing or kitchen etc)
Other certificate ideas are:
- Taking the person out for coffee or a meal so that you have time together. After all, isn't that what we all really want instead of more stuff?
- Purchasing tickets for a special performance or show. This is the gift of time along with a fun memory.
I would love to hear your ideas for Christmas gift giving, that save both money and resources. 'Tis the season to be creative!
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3 comments:
This past weekend our little one, Cassie, was stressing out about presents for the family. She's 11 and while the gift exchange is really important to her, I was surprised about her obsession with not spending all her money on presents. Not that she's into saving as much as she wants to spend on herself.
:)
I suggested handmade gifts (personal cards or painting a picture) or coupons. She had to think it over and I know she was filtering the value of these suggestions through the "marketing" pressure she also feels. She agreed and embarked on a long morning of arts and crafts, making coupons for her dad and (I suspect) for me. I suggested that it not be all chore related even though she included coupons for helping with dinner, walking the dog, folding laundry. I suggested fun "time" gifts: going fishing with dad, going camping with the family. I even snuck in a coupon for being willing to try a new food. She loved making the book of coupons, she saved some money, and now her dad has 12 fun coupons to cash in throughout the year. And wow, even our kids are totally stressed about *having* to get gifts. I hope to help turn that around. That's my gift to the world.
:)
Merry Christmas!
My family has chosen to do away with gift giving altogether, for ourselves anyway. For the last four or so years, we have given to charities in one another's name (the giftee chooses the charity), and then given each other a tree ornament to reflect that agency (a bumblebee ornament for Heifer Project, etc.).
This year we have shaken things up a bit and "adopted" a family through a local non-profit. We are purchasing gifts (many of them practical, like grocery store gift cards) for a little girl and her single mother from their Wish List. Our family gathering will be spent wrapping gifts for them and raising a glass of cheer together. We're excited!
Thanks, as always, Anneke, for the inspiration and encouragement you provide.
Great ideas, Anneke! Totally with you! Have you seen the Advent Consiracy video? It's so good! adventconspiracy.com
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