Photo credit: harakiri
Previous posts in this series touched on homemade gifts and giving a limited amount of gifts to help reduce or eliminate the stress, pressure and financial burden of the holiday season.
How about NO gifts?
Having a no gift policy may seem like a downer for some people, but it can be a welcomed change. There is no pressure to shop for the “perfect” gift, you don’t have to have a Christmas gift budget, no standing in line at the retail stores and post offices, and no clutter from useless gifts. Another policy could be gifts for the kids only.
Present the idea to your immediate and extended family in a positive way and highlight the benefits of a no gift policy. Emphasize spending the precious (and many times short) time with friends and family instead of feeling the pressure of gift giving. It could make it easier financially for everyone to get together during the holidays. The gift of family. The gift of love and togetherness. Maybe you can pool the money together and help out a family member who is in dire need.
You can also donate the gift money to a charity of your choosing individually or as a family.
I also love the idea Marelisa wrote in her comment from the previous blog post on holiday gifts. Offering services such as babysitting, housecleaning, shelving snow, etc in lieu of a material gift is a wonderful idea that would definitely be put to good use and not go to waste.
Buy Nothing Christmas ’06 has 59 alternatives to spending money this holiday season.
Christmas shouldn’t be about consumerism. It’s a time to get together with family and appreciate all that we have, not all that we want.
I like this no gift idea but it’s a bit harsh for some. Maybe a $15-20 limit might work better for some who just couldn’t bring themselves to buy nothing.
Chase March’s last blog post..Bush Babees
@Chase – I figured it would be a little difficult for some people that’s why I though ‘gifts only for the children’ would be a good compromise.
It’s sad how a gesture like this can backfire.
A few years ago my brother and sister-in-law made donations in our name to a charity. Some of my family members were so upset about it and even threatened to not give or do anything for them for Christmas.
I’ve tried the “I will not give out cards” thing as a measure to reduce waste. Instead I do an annual slide show or an end-of-the-year review on my blog. My grandmother was not pleased at all when she didn’t get a card.
But the thing is, with me? I have enough already. I don’t need ornaments or toys or clothes. I am fine with what I have. There’s so much STUFF in this world. I’m hoping as generations progress that we get away from that consumerism.
So although I won’t be joining the “buy nothing” movement, I am doing the “buy handmade” thing; I’m actually making gifts for all my close friends and family this year. It may not be as environmentally sound, but I think it’s a start.
Because of the tit for tat type attitude, I suggested making it a “rule” for everyone not to give gifts. Of course, some people may want to give no matter what. Give because they simply love giving which is totally great.
“Buy handmade” is a great idea as well. I love to support hobbyist and small business owners (I mentioned Etsy in a previous post).
I thought about not giving cards, but some of my relatives and friends don’t even have computers or email addresses so email/blogs, etc wouldn’t be an option. I will make sure to use recycled paper though. Customers will get an email as much as I love writing with pen and paper.
We get too wrapped up (is that a Christmas pun??) in the whole idea that we must spend money to buy gifts for everyone. And, I think what that leads to (at least for me) is that it ends up feeling rushed, and for me – like I’m buying something just because it’s Christmas – and it lacks real sincerity. There are many reasons to celebrate the Christmas season – the need for purchased gifts have become too much of the focus…
Lance’s last blog post..Don’t Worry, Be Happy
@Lance – I used to feel so rushed and stressed out when it comes to gift giving too. I am working on having that be less of a focus in my life.
Hi Carla – This is something my friends and I have started doing. We all decided we have enough “stuff” and instead of exchanging gifts, for the friends who live close we’re going to have a pot luck lunch and a cookie exchange. The gift of friendship is the greatest.
For those friends who live afar, we’ll send hand written cards.
The younger kids will probably get gift cards.
Barbara Swafford – Blogging Without A Blog’s last blog post..Be Careful What You Wish For
Hi Carla: This year I’m thinking of giving bought gifts only to my two nephews and my niece. Everyone else gets a hand made gift, one of the coupons you mention, and/or a big hug
Marelisa’s last blog post..30 Creativity Cards: A Gift I Made For You
It becomes quite ridiculous hasn’t it? To get upset about not receiving a card or in not giving gifts. My family is pretty easy-going about it though.
Maybe someone here will have some ideas – my mother is quite ill and it’s very possible this will be her last Christmas. I want to give her something really special but I don’t have a single idea. Most things that I would purchase seem really meaningless now that she is sick. I’m crap at making things. And I can’t really use Marelisa’s idea because we don’t live close enough for that. Maybe a photo collage or something?
Kim Woodbridge | (Anti) Social Development’s last blog post..5 Ugly WordPress Themes
I already bought gifts as early as now. The twist is, I only bought one gift – for my best friend. I just feel like I’ll do something different this year.
Blogging from scratch’s last blog post..Case Study: Increase your blog statistics through blog contest 4
[...] I found a couple creative lists of alternatives to crowded shopping malls and last minute shopping here and here, and except for some kiddie gifts (kids get exceptions for all kinds of things around the [...]
My birthday is actually coming up soon (Dec. 9) and I’m thinking of sending out an e-mail to my friends and family (mostly family) telling them to please not send cards for my birthday nor for christmas and instead just send me an e-mail or call me. Honestly, I really, really dislike greetings cards (partly for how wasteful they are and partly for how it’s just an expensive piece of consumer crap) and it’s time I made my stand. I’ve been putting it off for years knowing most of my family will be all “oh Adam’s ranting about crazy stuff again” but eff it, I don’t want any more cards!
Adam’s last blog post..Izze Sparkling Pomegranate
I give books. I also take a lot of photographs throughout the year, which I then frame and give as presents. A framed and personal photo is thoughtful and not expensive.
Squawkfox’s last blog post..Recipe: Easy Homemade Apple Pie
[...] buy into it: Why buy presents at all? Show your love in other ways by donating to a charity in his or her name, or just talk to each [...]
There are some good ideas in the comments above. I can suggest a few more:
- give the gift of an experience (tickets to a play , concert, or even the movies);
- buy “alternative gifts” that benefit Katrina victims or others around the world, or a charity of special significance to the gift recipient;
- offer to babysit for friends with kids (hey, a $75 value, that was our best gift last Christmas!);
- support environmentally aware companies by buying, organic, sustainable, energy-efficient goods that will help people to protect the Earth (I have a few rebates and coupon codes up now in my last post if anyone is interested).
Lynn from Organicmania.com’s last blog post..Buy Something that Makes a Difference Day!