Intentional Gift Guide
If you know about the Five Love Languages, you’ll know that Gifts are one of the five. If you aren’t sure what you and your families’ are, you can take the quiz here. For many holidays and celebrations, gifts are part of traditions we follow and can make people feel thought of, loved and special. Many people do enjoy shopping for and giving and receiving gifts. If that’s you, then keep on going with it. If you do feel like you are spending more than your budget allows, feeling overwhelmed and like the experience is leaving you less joyful, then make some tweaks and changes to best bring back your joy and celebrations.
Holidays and gifts can be a heavily-loaded topic, filled with memories and childhoods that maybe involved too much or not enough of something. Try and show some compassion for yourself and the little you and your previous experiences so that you can now create something that is both easy and meaningful for you in how you want to live, now in the present moment.
My Tips surrounding intentional Gifting (and receiving):
Don’t buy a gift just to buy a gift! Which leads to…
Eliminate gift giving expectations. If you find yourself receiving too many things or having to do more shopping than you’d like, you can change this. Of course, if you both enjoy the gift giving and money spent, then keep going. But if you find yourself overwhelmed (time, money and space) then it’s okay to speak up and ask for a no-gift truce. I just made that up, but apparently it is a thing!
Even better, agree to eliminate gifts and donate to a charity or group who actually do need items including clothing, food and toys.
The best way to be sure you aren’t adding clutter to someone’s life and home is to gift experiences, gift cards (either their favorite shop or restaurant or something you are sure they’d be able to use), consumables, usable products or services you know they would need or enjoy. Be careful with food (you need to be sure of allergies and restrictions) and drinks (if you aren’t sure they actually drink alcohol and caffeine).
Just ask them what they want or for their wish list. If they don’t give you any ideas: Do you know what values are important to them or is there someone closer to them that you can ask?
Create something by hand, preferably something that can be used by the recipient but anything handmade is always thoughtful (you might be more crafty than you thought). With so many ideas, recipes, videos and tutorials available, it’s easier than ever. If you really don’t enjoy this type of thing or the hassle, or you are already short on time, you have permission to skip this one and buy something.
Shop local and support small businesses! Yes, it might cost a bit more money. Think quality over quantity. There are so many makers out there, who will be excited to be involved in your gift-giving.
Think outside the box! Do you know your friend is overwhelmed with clothes shopping and you are great at coordinating styles and outfits? Give them a certificate for you to go shopping with them. Are your children busy parents that could use a date night? Offer to babysit. The possibilities are endless.
Do a Pollyanna or Gift Exchange. If you have a larger group of people or family, instead of each exchanging gifts 1-1, make it more fun and so you each only have to give and receive one gift. You can also do it as a White Elephant/Yankee Swap.
How about the gift of time together? Meeting up for a walk or a treat and chat at a coffee shop can be more meaningful and cost less money than a traditional gift. Your time is something valuable that you can gift and how special you’ll feel that someone you care about is spending their time with you. The power of connection and presence is a great and under appreciated gift (Quality Time is another Love Language).
If you do receive something you don’t want or can’t use, donate or pass it along to someone who wants it and can use it. There’s no point having extra clutter and it’s better the gift gets enjoyed and used by someone. Don’t feel guilty about this at all. Thank the person and the object and pass it on. You don’t need to tell your friend that you’ve passed it along.
Some of my favorite places for unique and thoughtful gifts are Uncommon Goods, Ten Thousand Villages, Bookshop.org and Etsy. There are so many creators and artists who would be grateful for your support at this time of year, so consider your friends list or hit your local Main Street to discover something local and new.
If you know they could use a Gift Card for a Blooming Home session you can by that here.
I have to know… what’s the strangest gift you ever received? What’s the most thoughtful? Let me know below!