The holidays can be one of the happiest times of the year as we enjoy the company of our family and friends. It is also one of the most clutter-generating times of the year. We give and receive hostess gifts, teacher gifts and Christmas or Hanukkah gifts, and if your family is like mine, even birthday gifts. Having such an extensive gift exchange not only fills your life with clutter but also empties your wallet!
Take a look at the following gift ideas to reduce clutter and save you time and money.
Buy Nothing Christmas
Buy Nothing Christmas was started by Canadian Mennonites but is open to anyone with a desire to change the way we think about gift giving. This website has lots of great information and ideas about making your own gifts as well as other resources.
I have made coupons in the past, where I offer my time for things like baby-sitting services, car washing, lawn mowing and house cleaning. Children can easily make these coupons as gifts and offer them to friends and family.
Donate to Charities
Did you know that Revenue Canada lists all registered charities in Canada? Why not donate to a local charity in someone’s name instead of buying yet another bottle of wine for the hostess of the holiday party?
Each year, our family “buys” items from the World Vision Catalogue. For the teachers at the children’s school, we’ve purchased supplies for a classroom in a developing country because teachers do NOT need more coffee mugs! For those relatives that have everything we’ve purchased rabbits, piglets and chickens in their names. These animals support families in developing countries. Instead of the typical office “Secret Santa” have everyone pitch in cash and buy an alpaca from World Vision. Make it fun — your alpaca could be your office mascot!
Family Heirlooms
Family heirlooms like dishes and jewelry are meant to be used and enjoyed. If you’re not using them, give them to another family member who will enjoy them. Include some stories about the gift that underline its significance in the family. For example, my Great-Grandmother bought her set of dishes one at a time with money she earned by selling the cream she skimmed off the milk produced on her farm. This is a gift I have really treasured over the years and I so appreciate knowing the story behind it, otherwise it would just be another set of dishes cluttering my cupboards.
Gift Cards
For those of you that feel you must buy a gift, I suggest gift cards. Here is a list of my favourite ones:
- Gift certificates for any store in the shopping mall
- Gift certificates for music to download or a bookstore
- Gift certificates for the supermarket are perfect for those on a tight budget.
- Offer to pay for a child’s piano or swimming lessons.
- Bus passes or gift certificates for a taxi company are perfect for those who rely on public transit.
Here are some holiday shopping tips for those of you who do shop for gifts:
- Organize your purse before you go shopping. Eliminate any unnecessary receipts, paperwork or other items. Ensure you have all your coupons and gift cards before you go shopping.
- Make a list of gifts to buy and for whom you are buying. If you don’t know what to buy for someone, write an amount that you wish to spend, that way you won’t spend too much.
- If you’re looking to buy a particular item, watch the advertisements for a sale and make a note of when the sale ends.
- If you plan to do your shopping on a particular day, make a plan. Go to stores in order so you’re not wasting time in traffic. If you can, plan to go to shopping during off-peak hours such as Tuesday morning.
- Make sure you are well-rested before you go shopping. Wear comfortable clothing and take a snack.
- Lock your purchases in the trunk of your car. Take a blanket with you to throw over purchases you place in the back seat.
- If you’re shopping with a friend, exchange cell phone numbers in case you get separated in the mall. (My husband and I shop with walkie-talkies!)
- Take advantage of the holiday sales to purchase birthday presents for family members too.
Remember the most important gift you can give is your TIME. Spend time with those your care about over the holidays; they will remember that more than any material item you can give them. Fill someone’s heart with good memories NOT their home with stuff.
