GIFTING
Reducing, refusing and recycling can be tricky when it comes to giving, as well as receiving gifts.
Here are some tips we have found useful for gifts which minimize stuff, while maximizing simplicity:
When gifting try to be conscientious of the receiver.
Opt for gifts that are memorable, like experiences.
For the person who has everything, make a donation to a charity in their honor.
Give consumable gifts or gift certificates to a local bakery, coffee shop or restaurant.
Offer a gift certificate to the recipient’s favorite store: outdoor adventure store, specialty store, museum, movie theater, etc.
See if your local farmers market offers gift certificates or tokens - they make a great gift!
If you think it will be well received - give the gift of eco-friendly, reusable, zero-waste supplies.
Create a photo book of memories shared together.
Give the gift of a National Parks Pass.
For the snow bunnies on your list - get a ski pass.
Plan a cross-country skiing trip.
Rent a house for the weekend.
Plan a gathering at the coast.
Host a barbecue.
Treat them to a movie or museum.
Give the gift of plants - get a gift certificate to a local plant nursery.
Give the gift of an art or cooking class.
Give the gift of a vegetable or produce delivery subscription.
Go big and get concert tickets for your friends.
Plan a rafting trip - create memories.
Take your friend or loved one out to dinner.
Give a subscription to a newspaper or magazine (digital is even better).
For the music lovers give the subscription to Pandora.
For the movie lover - give an annual subscription to Netflix or HBO.
Purchase a pool or gym pass.
Get a gift certificate for a rock climbing gym.
Support your local wildlife or animal welfare group - many offer small private tours for a donation.
Plan a camping trip or outdoor adventure together.
Go on a picnic and celebrate the person.
For the wine lover in your life go wine tasting together.
Plan a volunteer vacation together.
Gift Giving KIDS:
Art Classes - We have a wonderful non-profit art cooperative that teaches art classes of all kinds and kids of all ages love it!
Build Something Together - Bird House | Wagon | Cardboard Forts
Cook Together - Create cooking lessons - give the gift of a Child’s Cook Book.
Create Together - Do an art project together, these gifts are more memorable for kids.
Explore Nature - Have kids go on a Scavenger Hunt - give them things they need to find. Pinterest has great ideas if you are not sure.
Fairy Garden - One Christmas we did a treasure hunt and surprised our daughter with a fairy garden. She played in it for years!!!!
Fun with Friends - Meeting up with friends and their parents at destinations is always fun for kids. We have explored state parks, local trails, creeks, rivers and beaches.
Coupon Books - The kids can redeem coupons for: Movie Night | Ice Cream | Sleepover with a Friend | Game Night.
Solve the Mystery - For the family detective it is fun to create clues and cyphers to decode - they can be words, math problems or history.
Surprise Destinations - For many birthdays we do destination trips.
Treasure Hunts - My kids love treasure hunts. My daughter asks for them at every birthday.
Gifts in sympathy | in times of loss
Bring the gift of a homemade meal that is freezable.
Plant a tree in memory of their loved one.
Gift a weeping tree for them to plant in their yard.
Donate to a charity in memory of the person or animal who passed.
Create an annual tradition to gather and celebrate the departed.
Give the gift of a plant of fresh flowers.
Gift Receiving:
“It is the thought that counts” - don’t feel obligated to keep gifts. Hold onto the feeling of sentiment for a gift while guiltlessly donating it if it doesn’t necessarily bring you joy; it certainly could for others.
For those that are close to you, let them know you are simplifying your life and you would rather spend time with them creating a special memory rather than receiving a gift.
If kindly requesting not to receive gifts is not your style, offer up helpful suggestions to your friends and loved ones:
Encourage gifts to your favorite charity!
Experience gifts - go to see a good film, share a meal, hike together, share an outing together.
Consumables are a great way to receive something that is useful and will not add clutter to your home.
Gift Certificates to your favorite garden, art supply store, museum, theater, etc.
Gifts from loved ones or the departed - treasure the memories but don’t feel obligated to save all the gifts, they are merely objects.
One easier way to part with gifts from someone who has departed is seeing if a close family member of friend would like the object.
Gift Wrapping:
I am always amazed how much I love the simplest packaging. The simpler, the more unique, the better. Utilizing recycled materials is the best way to wrap gifts. Here are some of my favorites:
Wrap a gift in a cotton or linen dish towel. Tie with twine.
Let the wrapping be part of the gift! Place your gift in a cotton bento bag.
Wrap a gift in an old map - it looks so cool and simple!
Newspaper is a wonderful, no cost gift wrapping solution. Tie with twine and it will look timeless.
Use simple kraft paper and cotton string to wrap a present.
Recycle an old box and repurpose it.
Make the gift part of the packaging - give gifts in beautiful, useful baskets.
Give gifts in cotton, reusable totes.
Place small gifts in a handkerchief.
Wrap a gift in a scarf.
Gift bags made of cotton or burlap are a wonderful natural presentation.
Recycle fabric scraps to wrap a gift in fabric, a really pretty touch for small gifts.
Be creative, place a gift in a wire basket, wooden box or glass pitcher.
Save all gift bags and reuse | reuse | reuse - we have been using and reusing the same holiday bags for years!!!
To be fun - wrap a gift in a cereal box - this was my uncle’s signature style.
ARTICLES | RESOURCES
6 Volunteer Vacations to Experience | Huff Post | December 7th, 2017
18 Gifts For The Minimalist Who Values Thoughtful Gifts & Experiences | The Good Trade
Nothing lasts forever (except for plastics), gifts do not need to be kept forever or gifted to last forever.