Three Alternatives to Traditional Gift Giving
As Billy Ocean is fond of saying, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” This Christmas, I think that could more appropriately interpreted as, “When times get tough, the tough get smart.” If the thought of buying a carload full of indulgent gifts (don’t forget customized wrapping, of course) makes you feel queasy, it’s time to start coming up with alternatives.
I haven’t been big on traditional gift exchanges for the past few years. It’s not just the money that gets spent on debatable gifts; it’s the time spent away from family in an attempt to make them happy. I’d rather take those hours spent shopping and spend it with the people I love, and the money on gifts and use it to go see them. It’s not a question of right or wrong: that’s just the phase I’m in. However, that means I’ve got to work hard to come up with quality alternatives to bring to the table.
So, with no more introduction, my three favorite alternatives to traditional gifts:
Dinner (or any meal, like brunch or a picnic). A night of good food and drink mixed with great conversation and games is priceless.
Works best for: friends and family we don’t get to see often, neighbors potentially
Homemade lotions and potions. You can stretch essential oils quite far and come out with a range of cool, coordinated pampering products.
Works best for: moms, female friends, coworkers
Customized flash drives. Cheap flash drives can be loaded with tons of goodies, from copies of notes passed in third grade for a longtime friend, romantic music for partner, pictures of grandkids for the folks, or even just a helpful blend of programs for a technically disinclined pal. I like multimedia blends best, with pictures, music, programs, poems, stories, and recipes.
Works best for: anyone with a computer and an open mind
Alright, your turn! What are some alternative gifts you’re considering this year? What’s been a hit (or a flop) in the past? Take a moment to leave your two cents in the comments.
photo credit: powerbooktrance
photo credit: powerbooktranceSimilar Posts:
- Simply Perfect: 43 Holiday Tips from On Simplicity Readers
- Make Your External Hard Drive Work Harder for You
- You Are More Than Your CD Collection
- Handling Roadblocks on the Path to Simplicity
- Teaching Tweens Simplicity
This post has 27 comments
December 3rd, 2008
Sara,
I love that customized flash drive idea. I personally would love to receive one of those, but only know a handful of people that I could give one to. I will consider it! Hmmm, here are mine:
1. Performing jobs or tasks for someone. Say, helping them move, giving a full body massage, babysitting their kids, cleaning their garage, stuff like that.
2. Writing a heartfelt letter that lets them know how much they mean to you. And send it via physical mail!
3. Spend time with the person! You mentioned this one, but it is worth mentioning again. This is probably the best one.
- Jack Rugile
Simple Sapien
Simple Sapiens last blog post..I’ve Been Tagged! 6 Random Things About Me
December 3rd, 2008
I like giving “experiences” over gifts, but I’m a people and experiences over stuff kind of guy.
J.D.Meiers last blog post..4 Types of Problems
December 3rd, 2008
Great. I’ve barely managed to get Def Leppard (and a certain sugary song of theirs) out of my head and you hit me with Billy Ocean!
I must admit I’m not very good at the imaginative gift thing. However, I am now much more “targeted” in my gift giving than I used to be. There was a time when I would wonder around malls browsing for things people might like. Now I know exactly what I want and usually can get it on the internet. It may not (or may) save me any money, but it certainly saves me time and protects me from the potential of Christmas time commercial overload.
My wife is awesome at this stuff though. Yesterday, she made the coolest craft with our daughter and one of her friends. They took old CD jewel cases and turned them into picture frames. They are destined for the grandparents, etc. I was surprised at how well they turned out (don’t tell my wife that
). She is also a great baker and makes batches of her famous cookies for our acquaintances.
Thanks for the ideas.
Cheers,
Adam
Adam Steers last blog post..Sticky Skills Through Intelligent Movement
December 3rd, 2008
Coupon books are my favorite for my husband. He is very particular and doesn’t really like surprises. So I usually give him a hand made book full of coupons for massages, home made bread, a favorite meal, etc.
This can be customized for anyone. I’ll bet most moms would love to get coupons for babysitting or house cleaning, and kids can get coupons for a special breakfast made, a trip to a cool place, or time out alone with a parent.
My favorite gift for bosses, co-workers, aquaintances, etc, is cookies. I bake two or three types of cookies, which I would be making anyway, in double batches. I package up half a dozen cookies in a hand decorated paper bag. It is pretty easy to do and it makes a nice personalized treat.
jills last blog post..Finally done!
December 3rd, 2008
I’m with Jill . . . I tend to make cookies for my boss and co-workers. I bake them anyway, and it’s easier for me and a lot more fun than struggling to find a gift or a gift card.
I only exchange presents with my parents, two siblings and boyfriend. I set a price limit and keep it simple. I usually shop online, which saves time and keeps me out of the stores.
Deborah Johnsons last blog post..I’m No Fan of Black Friday
December 3rd, 2008
We used the flash drive idea a couple of times, most recently for my husband’s mother. He scanned all the old family pictures, some more than 60 years old, for her. She loved it.
Betsys last blog post..PANIC
December 3rd, 2008
I have used customised flash drives, cds loaded with fav. songs (of the gift reciever of course) .. they have always been a hit.
Timeless books and home made chocolates are also received well.
Avani-Mehtas last blog post..Top 8 Motivation Hacks - #5
December 3rd, 2008
I love the customized flash drive idea.
One year (back before flash drives were so cheap) I made mix CDs for all my friends and family. It was very, very cheap and ten years later my folks still whip out the CDs during the holidays.
Bellesouths last blog post..Bra shopping, or, a journey into the pits of Hell
December 3rd, 2008
Being the practical sort, I’ve done a whole bunch of portable offices. with portable versions of all sorts of office applications. People do like the ability to have an ‘office in their pocket’ and I do like portable applications.
Here are the best places to find portable applications:
http://www.pendriveapps.com/
http://www.portablefreeware.com/about.php
http://portableapps.com/
http://www.winpenpack.com/main/news.php
http://pensuite.wininizio.it/eng/index.php
http://www.lupopensuite.com/index.htm
http://www.dirk-loss.de/win-tools.htm
December 3rd, 2008
The first two are musts this year. I like that idea of the flash drive too! Very clever.
One year I made my boyfriend a cushion with a photograph of us sewn on one side. It was cute, but kinda badly made and really funny because his mum was an amazing sewer. But it was created with love! So I think he might have appreciated it.
Sagans last blog post..100 Reps Challenge: Day Two
December 3rd, 2008
I, too, love the flashdrive idea! And for 4 years in a row made custom Christmas music CD’s for stockings. I listen to them every year, but I have no idea if anyone else does. LOL!
Several years back I also did a craft with my boys. We made calendars using fun stuff like cotton balls for the parts of a snowman, lots of glitter, a handprint for the body of a turkey, etc. We copied the format of what one son had brought home from school one year. We made two - one for each set of grandparents - and each boy did 2 copies of his 6 months so the calendars were identical and evenly divided. The boys and I had a great time making the calendars - definitely quality time! And the grandparents loved receiving them.
Another option would be a perpetual calendar with all of the special family dates in it. But you wouldn’t be able to repeat it year after year. (Just in case, a perpetual calendar has the months and the numbers of the days but no “Monday, Tuesday, etc”. So it is used year after year mainly to track birthdays and anniversaries and such.)
This year we’re using http://www.diyonlinegiftshop.com to put our own drawings and photos on items for the family - giving a piece of ourselves!
December 3rd, 2008
Sara,
Customised flash drive is wicked. And the homemade potion, lotion sounds romantic but my girlfriend wouldn’t like it if I give them to other girls.
I’ll definitely go for the flash drive idea. But I’m thinking of buying books for my colleagues.
I rarely give gift here in Thailand so I could not suggest nice ideas. A round of beer has always been a hit for me
Viriyas last blog post..How to Present Like Guy Kawasaki
December 3rd, 2008
I have done free babysitting for baby showers and might do that for a family member and family friend this year!
Katies last blog post..Plastic Grocery Bags…
December 3rd, 2008
How about:
1) Photo or scrapbooks
2) A book of love letters
3) A donation to a favorite charity in honor of a loved one that has passed away.
Jeff@MySuperChargedLifes last blog post..Giveaway: Nominate Your Favorite Charity For Cash Donation!
December 3rd, 2008
I’ve given gift certificates for massages and facials, and those are always well-received. I’ve been researching alternative gifts for my blog - gifts of donations, consumables, experiences, time - and along the way I’ve found some good ideas for my own gift giving.
Jeri Danskys last blog post..Christmas and Other Holidays: Gifts of Time
December 4th, 2008
Your customized flash drive idea just made me laugh. I am constantly swapping my flash drive with my brother in law. We exchange music and other goodies weekly. Who needs a holiday for such fun.
December 4th, 2008
I love these ideas! My favorite thing to do for friends and family is donate to charity in their names. Its not always cheap, but it can be. I have a friend with whom we always get a name off the angel tree and buy those gifts for those children and those are our gifts to each other. I also support Heifer International because they have really cheap donation pacakges and the doantion really goes to something amazing. You can donate in someone’s name and send an e-card telling them you donated in their name, or you can print one out. It is my very favorite thing to do for Christmas gifts!
Kimberlys last blog post..In all things, give thanks.
December 4th, 2008
My family (mainly my sister and my mom) love little things. My sister has a charm bracelet so whenever I travel (or now that I’m in a different state) I try to find an inexpensive charm that’s her style so I can give them all to her on Christmas or on her birthday. It also shows that even though I’m far away, even on my honeymoon, I was thinking of her
Experiences work well with my DH’s family. For my MIL’s birthday I gave her a certificate for a day trip to Carmel-by-the-Sea, we were already planning on going but this included me taking her out to lunch. I think it is one of my favorite memories with her.
December 4th, 2008
I’ve come up with the perfect gift for family and friends: Gift Certificates for 1 free tech support call. It’s been a major league hit for the past several years.
December 4th, 2008
Hi Sara - This year I’m doing a potluck lunch with some of my friends that live close by. At the luncheon we’re also going to do a cookie exchange.
For my out of town friends, we’ll be setting time aside to visit over the telephone and reminisce about all the great times we’ve shared.
December 4th, 2008
This year we are all about sharing experiences instead of purchasing a lot of gifts. My little ones will get what they want from their grandmas, but overall we are not too gift focused.
December 5th, 2008
Thanks for the post. I love the idea for the flash drives. That’s brilliant! I love giving homemade baked goods and every year my son and I make homemade ornaments together to give out to everyone. It’s inexpensive and fun for us.
December 5th, 2008
This year everyone on my list is getting eco-friendly gifts. I’m either giving reusable shopping bags, or reusable produce bags (made of organic cotton so you don’t have to use the store’s plastic ones).
The reusable bags I’m giving are around $10 each, and each cotton produce bag is around $4.
And, no wrapping needed!
December 6th, 2008
This year I did NaNoWriMo and as a result I shall be editing the first draft of my novel into a second which I shall print and bind in large print format for my father. It’s the sort of thing that could go on a flash drive for a computer user too!
Pauls last blog post..Seeing the light
December 7th, 2008
For a bit of a twist on giving cookies as gifts, I’ve given a coupon for “A Year of Cookies”. The recipient was entitled to a dozen cookies, each month, for a year. I included a basic checklist of flavours/types so they could narrow down their likes and dislikes.
It’s another gift that keeps on giving throughout the year!
December 7th, 2008
Thanks for all the great ideas! I know my husband would enjoy the coupon book, and who wouldn’t want a year of cookies?
I also know quite a few people who would appreciate guilt-free tech support!
Squawkfox makes a good point, too: why wait until a holiday rolls around to share gifts or love letters? A monthly love letter (or mp3 mix from a friend) would be positively swoon-worthy!
And please, if anyone surprises you with a cool, unexpected gift, please add it in here for other readers to discover!
December 9th, 2008
For those who are spirtual during this time of the year, the following gift takes thought, time, creativity and willing to part with it after all your hard work. The gift idea is to create your own set of Angel Cards. These cards are made out of plain que cards, any size you choose. Each card has a word on it and you color and draw any way you like on each card.Stencil the words or hand write them or printed. So many words can be used such as: Love, Simplicity, sincere,helpful, Music, creative, joy, abundance, Truth,Happiness, Honesty, Letting go, Dance, Heaven, and the list can go on and on…The beautiful part is that the person has this set of cards and they can shuffle them and pick a card and smile. It’s a great idea and can mean alot to someone knowing the time and effort it took you to create the deck of cards. Most important have fun creating and pour your energy into the colors and design of each card. It’s sure to send the message of love and spirituality to the person your giving it too!!!
Trackbacks
Add a comment