I read a discussion post regarding having an inexpensive Christmas. It stemmed from the fact how expensive Christmas has become, and how many are facing a financial struggle this year. Some of the ideas were new to me and as a creative person, I thought I needed to share this information with others.
1. Treasure Box. One comment was written by a woman that collects from thrift stores all year and gives her adult children a treasure box of her purchases. It reminded me of a woman who came to one of my garage sales. She was making a theme gift of "Celine Dione" items for her sister's birthday gift. This woman and her sister only gave gifts from a garage sale. I think that is an ideal solution to filling the need to buy at a garage sale and the need to give a gift. My favorite part, was that this woman was thinking about what her sister would want, not just buying something. I call it purposeful shopping.
2. Cashing in Points. We all have those points such as with Mastercard or Optimum. I pay next to little attention to my points but what a great idea for gift giving at Christmas. They have a great range of items to buy, and it certainly would start your points off fresh with a zero balance, for the new year.
3. Experience. My daughter has always embraced the idea of giving an experience to her daughter. She has great ideas for grandparents when Christmas arrives. Last year I focused on giving experiences to most of my family and friends. I gave a photo session, mystery dinner game, and of course food gift cards. I would think a family movie night or bowling would fit nicely into an experience for a gift.
4. Time and Talent. I have done this many times by giving a handmade gift certificate for some of my time and talent. Believe me, a gift certificate of buns or cinnamon buns has always been a well-accepted gift. I think a gift of babysitting, dog walking or a meal delivered to the door are remarkable gifts.
5. Sister Gift. Last year my sister and I decided neither of us needed anything. Instead of a birthday and Christmas gift, we now give little gifts throughout the year. If we see something we think the other one would like, we buy it and give it. It has been fun for both of us to get a sister gift at an unexpected time.
6. Community Swap. The person that had started the feed suggested a swap of unused items. I think that would be a great way to share toys that aren't used anymore.
7. Christmas Store. I used to have an annual Christmas party for some of the condo ladies. One year we collected items for the Christmas store at a school. These women couldn't have been more generous, and I know the kids would have been delighted to shop among their beautiful things. The secretary that did the organizing said often the store only has things that the teachers can provide. I am not sure how many Christmas stores there are in Brandon schools, not all of them have a store. I just read a post from an EA, asking for items for the Christmas store at her school. That request just ignites the gift of giving within me. Kids of any financial status shop side by side at the Christmas store. They buy for their entire family and even get to wrap their gifts before they leave. There is something under the Christmas tree for everyone and that is so important.
8. Give to a charity in lieu of a gift. This idea may not fall under inexpensive, but it does fall under charitable. I have done this for several years with my family. I like to support interesting and new charities at Christmas. Last year I bought a Christmas sock and filled it for the Men's Resource Group to give to the homeless men of the community. I took that opportunity to make it in lieu of gift for my son. My daughter is a huge animal lover and has a soft spot for rescue pets. As part of her gift, I give dog and cat food to a shelter. I try to make the "in lieu of a gift" relevant to the person I am giving to. I have a friend that loves to make soup and so I gave a donation on her behalf to the soup kitchen downtown. Instead of giving my great nieces and nephews gifts at Christmas I asked them what they would like me to buy to donate to the Westman Christmas. The boys always said Lego, one niece liked art and craft ideas and the other it was always make-up. I have been the recipient of many thoughtful gifts to charity, those gifts always touch my heart. I love the thought that the person has put into it, by giving to something of interest to me.
9. Adopt a Family. When I worked at the University, we would always adopt a family. The way that the faculty took on making a Christmas merry for one family was beyond generous. We got to the point we would adopt a Family of 10 or more. I have such fond memories of being part of that experience. One year I adopted a family consisting of a young mom, a four-year-old boy and an 8-month-old baby. They had relocated to Brandon to start over. I will never forget the joy, tears and appreciation from that woman. I think of her often when I drive by the apartment where I made the delivery. It was one of those experiences that changed my perspective on the meaning of Christmas.
We had a family rule in our house on Christmas morning. We all took turns opening a gift, one at a time, starting with the youngest. Not only did it drag gift opening on a bit longer, but it also made everyone pay attention to what they got, and what was given to each of us. Adults and kids open gifts together, not the kids first and adults after with disinterested kids off doing their own thing.
I can't even imagine what it must feel like to be faced with the expense of Christmas when you are struggling to buy groceries and pay your bills. For families that are more financially secure, is it about just buying things? Children do seem to have so much. Most of them have several branches of the family tree giving them gifts. There are some families that give to an education fund as a gift and that may be a boring gift, but one that they will treasure later in life.
If I am invited to someone's home or to meet for lunch, I often take a gift. The gift usually consists of either cookies, banana or homemade bread and often jam. Another favorite thing I like to give is a journal. Not an expensive one, just a cheap one from my favorite $ store. I use my large collection of gift bags to deliver not only gifts but to return items, it just looks prettier. I enjoy preparing a gift bag of baked items for a busy lady, if you are having a personal struggle or just because I want to, why not. My preference is to give a gift on days that aren't the designated days to give a gift. I am finding the gift giving days are starting to add up. It used to be just Birthdays and Christmas, now Easter and Valentine's Day are added in, along with probably more I am unaware of.
I hope this has been a fun post to read. I think all too often we have a set amount for a gift/person, instead of buying what they want. Gift buying can be daunting, but it can also be creative and fulfilling. I haven't decided on my "theme" for gift giving this year, but I will get inspired at some point. Christmas is a magical time and I hope you enjoy putting these ideas into your fun-filled time of giving. I would love to hear about your family traditions and ideas. Sharing is Caring.
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