Gifts with Less Waste, Less Guilt, and Less Stress
We’ve probably all received gifts that don’t spark joy, and we’ve probably all given them too. I’ve searched for another way to celebrate for years. The challenge is, how can we take a different approach to the holidays without being named the family Grinch?
My favorite tips for GIVING with less waste, guilt and stress:
Talk to people.
The people who know precisely what your loved ones wish for are… your loved ones themselves. It’s possible that your genuine interest in what they want will be the most meaningful gift they’ve ever received. Have courage. Ask them.
Give consumables.
When you give consumables, you give the gift of a graceful exit along with the gift. The item will get used up and there is no obligation for the recipient to give up permanent real estate in their home for your gift. They can use it up or they can give it away. No clutter here.
Give freely.
Give with no strings attached. If you are not willing for the recipient to give away, throw away, or forget about the present, please don’t buy it in the first place. Choose something else. Are gifts with strings attached really gifts anyway?
My favorite tips for GETTING with less waste, guilt and stress:
Wait a sec… we don’t get to choose what other people give us. So what is this about? Odds are, people are giving you gifts because they care about you. That means your feelings matter to them. If you’ve been feeling stressed out by holidays past, consider talking to the people with whom you celebrate.
When to talk about it? Now is good.
It’s never too early to start the conversation about celebrating in a new way with your loved ones. Some people Christmas shop in August. This year’s conversation might lead to next year’s changes.
A few conversation starter examples:
“Hey ______, the Christmas stuff is already out at Target, and we’re still trying to declutter from last year. Do you think we could try something different for the family this year?”
“OMG I just realized I need to start Christmas shopping, and I know you told me that your house is so full of toys you can barely walk. The last thing I want to do is make things tougher for you. Is there anything that you or the kids do want?”
“Hi Family/Friends! This year I’ve been working on my (personal finances, environmental impact, shopping habits, clutter, etc.) and I would love to have a more thoughtful Christmas. Could we all exchange wish lists? I think it would be fun to see what everyone is really wishing for, and I love the idea of reducing waste.”
My top strategies:
Wish Lists
Ask everyone to make an ENORMOUS wish list of all of the things they would love to have. This is the perfect time to write down all the things you considered buying yourself but didn’t.
Why an ENORMOUS list? Because this gives the gift-giver the ability to participate in the process. If you have a list of 3 things, and you have 3 family members, well….. It’s almost more of a shopping list than a wish list. If there are 20 things you’d love on the list, those 3 family members still get the experience of selecting something for you, which may be very precious to them. There’s also a chance of a surprise.
Ps. I am guilty of making what I think is an ENORMOUS wish list each year only to hear from my family that it is not ENORMOUS enough. Pile on the options people!
Exchange Consumable Gifts
Want to keep it simpler? Instead of a wish list, exchange consumable gifts. That doesn’t just mean snacks -though snacks are great. Consumable gifts are anything that get used up: theater tickets, gift cards, a membership to Phipps Conservatory, candles, bath bombs, fireworks, their absolute favorite moisturizer that they splurge on. A hit in my family? The gift of a professional snow shoveling service for the year.
Adopt a Family
Perhaps the thrill of shopping is your family’s favorite part of the holidays, AND you already have enough/ too many things in your home. You are a perfect match for adopting a family for the holidays. You can shop and bring people tremendous joy with no clutter whatsoever. It’s a win win win.
Pittsburgh folks, try Women’s Center and Shelter of Pittsburgh and North Hills Community Outreach.
Yes, I have gift cards.