Image courtesy of edithchengdesign.com
There comes a point during the holidays when we feel uncomfortable recommending buying more stuff. It is hard not to buy actual gifts for children because they seem to really want a tangible gift.
Our family has a no-adult gift rule, which is a great way to cut down on superfluous gifts. Many families do a Secret Santa within the family so it is only necessary to purchase one gift per family member. About 20+ years ago we tried a few different options before settling on our current tradition and my favorite was the year each person wrote down a non-tangible gift they wanted someone to 'help' them with and on Christmas we all picked out of a hat to see what we'd be giving as a gift. I wanted a music mix be made for me....this was before the days of Pandora and Spotify mind you ;D
The bottom line is that if all the extra stuff that you end up receiving or buying during the holidays doesn't sit well with you, there are all sorts of creative ways you can give or receive. Here are just a few ideas of ways to gift non tangible gifts over the holidays:
-Give experiential gifts only (tix to a show, class, beauty service, vacation)
-Exchange your expertise to a family member as a gift (cooking, vacation planning, sewing, building, gardening, exercise training)
-Exchange baked gifts only
-Buy gifts for a family that does not have means to celebrate the holidays without help
-Exchange handmade gifts only (knit a scarf, write a poem, mold a bowl, take or paint a portrait)
If you do decide to give an actual tangible gift, try to make sure it is one that aligns with your values. Do you care about the planet? If so....try not to purchase a gift made of plastic. Are women's rights important to you? Buy something made Fair Trade by women. You get the idea! Know where your purchase came from and the values of the store or company that made it.
More About Edith Cheng Design: Gift giving is part of the traditional celebrations in all cultures, it is also a time for making connections. However, particularly in the US, gift giving has become extremely commercial. As a gift giver, Edith Cheng is interested in helping people building a meaningful connection through gift giving, and redirecting their focus from material objects to sharing their experiences. edithchengdesign.com
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