Organizing For a Stress-free Holiday: Gift Giving

Take it from someone who does what I do for a living: we all have too much stuff. And yet, every year, we go out and buy more stuff for the people we care about. What’s up with that? It’s still possible to show our love and appreciation through gift-giving without cluttering up people’s homes.

Rather than giving gifts that take up space, consider choosing consumable gifts. Consumable gifts are those that get used up and don’t have to be stored or displayed forever. For example, fresh flower arrangements, candles, wine, jam, baked goods, hair grooming products, etc.

Another idea is to give activities rather than things. Consider giving children music or sports lessons; or a trip to the zoo or the circus. Your parents might enjoy tickets to a local play or a gift certificate for dinner at their favourite restaurant. How about giving cooking lessons, gourmet food delivery or personal training sessions? If you’re on a tight budget this year, give the gift of time; cook dinner for a friend, run errands for a senior or babysit for a busy mom.

When it comes to wrapping gifts, it is less stressful to wrap as you go along. Set up a gift wrapping centre in an out-of-the-way place in your home. You’ll need a table or counter and a bin with all your supplies. Label gifts with sticky notes until you’ve had a chance to wrap and tag them. If you don’t have the time or talent for wrapping gifts or simply don’t enjoy it, most malls provide the service for a nominal cost, often with the money going to charity. Another idea is to purchase decorative gift boxes from the dollar store, which you can reuse when giving to family members.

Let’s generate some more ideas. What gifts do you give that don’t take up space? What gifts would you want to receive?

10 Comments

  1. Denise on December 7, 2009 at 11:36 am

    I like to give and receive gift cards. They may seem a little impersonal at first, but if you find out the recipient’s favorite place to shop or eat, and include a heartfelt, handwritten note with it, it’s a great present! Also, magazine subscriptions are gifts that can be enjoyed all year long. After the recipient is finished with each magazine, they can recycle it or pass it on!



  2. Linda Bradbeer on December 7, 2009 at 12:47 pm

    Fabulous words Hellen. Great idea to give wonderful memories as gifts. Some of my best holiday stories from Christmas past include skating after dinner or go to the theatre with my family. Amazing life experiences.

    Also loved the idea of giving your time as a present. Brilliant!

    Linda



  3. Hellen on December 7, 2009 at 1:09 pm

    I personally love getting gift cards. Especially for books and the spa, which tie in to my favorite indulges, reading and getting pampered. Denise, you make a good point – taking the time to determine the recipient’s favorite place to shop or eat makes it more personal. Is there anyone out there that doesn’t like to receive gift cards? Would love to hear a different perspective on this topic.



  4. Shawna on December 7, 2009 at 2:06 pm

    There’s a local dinner theater that I like to give to my married friends along with the offer of my time to babysit the night they choose.



  5. Susan on December 7, 2009 at 8:57 pm

    You wanted a different perspective on gift cards.
    It is really important that you think carefully about the person receiving it and what they would like–not what you would like. I have received gift cards for stores that are more than two hours away. I have received cards for other consumables that I had to use. The cards forced me to shop/go to specific places not necessarily where I wanted to go. Give me “mad money” anyday to spend when and where I want.



  6. Martine on December 8, 2009 at 8:19 pm

    Personally I would love any service that gives me time to relax. A maid service, laundry service, handyman service and a dinner prep store are just a few things come to mind. Anything that gets all those little jobs that don’t let you relax on the weekend done.



  7. ALVN of WhisperWood Cottage & Junkologie on December 9, 2009 at 8:15 pm

    Our family has decided that the adults will not exchange gifts with each other this year. Instead, we are each going to bring food and money to donate to the local food pantry. We will also use this time to teach the small children in the family about the importance of giving and helping those in need.

    Amy



  8. Bethany on December 10, 2009 at 9:40 am

    Love this post and the idea about gifts to be used not just stored.
    I try to give some special baked good I’ve had friends really love when I’ve made it for them during the year…it’s personal to each of them and I give it before Christmas so they can enjoy it while the holidays are taking place.
    My personal experience with gift cards has been great when my parents send them to my son and I. They send us a Visa card that they’ve put money on and then we are able to use it anywhere just like cash. I have gratefully used it at the grocery store or to pick up something special for myself a while after Christmas …and my son loves the “grownup” feeling he has each year to go and buy whatever he fancies when we are out and about whether it’s a book, toy or gum! 🙂



  9. Rebecca Foxworth on December 10, 2009 at 5:17 pm

    My brother-in-law decided this Christmas to take the family (my husband and I and our two children, him and his wife, and my mother- and father-in-law) on a cruise over Thanksgiving week. No one ended up with ANOTHER jacket, ANOTHER scrapbooking kit, ANOTHER fishing rod, or ANOTHER stuffed animal. Instead we ended up with four days of relaxation, lots of photos, and two “squished pennies” (my children have chosen pressed pennies as their souvenier of choice when we go somewhere….they each have a little box of them). For just over $200 per person, he picked a gift that is pretty much clutter free (and oh-so-appreciated).



  10. Debra on December 27, 2009 at 12:50 pm

    best gifts received this year: gift certificate to a spa, which I can take advantage of on a dark depressing February day, and, a membership to my favourite local art gallery. Best ever!