It’s the time of the season when there are those last few folks on our holiday list we are struggling to buy gifts for. Either they have too much already or you’ve already given them the socks/tie/sweater trifecta and you are out of inspiration. But when we’re stumped on gift giving ideas, we’ll rush to buy something just to buy something. Even if we’re not sure it’s something they’d want/use/need. We resist the simple gift giving ideas in an effort to appear that we have put more value or effort into a gift. But, gifts are not valued by their size or their price tag. Their value comes if and when they are actually used and enjoyed. If you’re still struggling with a few names, try to not just fill a box or gift bag with something they likely won’t use, and check out some of these clutter-free gift ideas!
Give “consumables”
And that doesn’t mean just food and drinks, though who doesn’t love a velvety hard-to-find red or a basket of gourmet goodies? Consumables can be anything we use then need to replenish, or that only lasts so long like fresh flowers…holiday bulb gardens are a personal favorite! Check out these two women-owned businesses for inspiration (both friends of mine as well!).
- Gift a fully customized lipstick from color to texture, intensity and aroma, at SHESPOKE Makeup.
- Snacks for the Prime of her life women you know? These Bossa Bars for menopause & peri menopause are delish!
Gift cards are your friend, and theirs!
No matter how hard you try, it’s hard to find a gift you know someone will use. What better way to ensure they’ll use it than to let them pick what they want? A gift card is always appreciated, and you can add a little more pizazz, by presenting it in a beautiful card (Papyrus has outstanding cards at most nice grocery stores these days), or creative packaging, or give more than one card together for a theme. Gourmet pizzerias and local restaurants will give you an empty pizza box or togo container to wrap your gift card in. Add in an iTunes gift card and you’ve got an at-home dinner and a movie in a box!
Donate to their favorite charity
Some people just really do seem to have everything. If you feel like their home is already bursting with goodies and wines and flowers and things, give a charitable gift in their honor. Be sure to review my Giving Tuesday post again for fabulous ideas and resources for finding the perfect organization. Can’t decide? The tuition assistance program at OneKid OneWorld helps keep girls in school in Kenya. Full disclosure, I am the Co-Executive Director 😉 so this organization is very near and dear to my heart, and I can guarantee that 93% of every dollar raised goes directly to our programs!
Give your time
Our time is the best gift we can give. We get excited to be of service over the holidays, but keeping that spirit of giving with us throughout the year is both good for us, and good for those we can help. Perhaps that special someone on your list could use a helping hand. Maybe they need help decluttering! If you’re in a winter climate as most of the country is starting to be, plan some gifts of driveway shoveling, walking dogs, help with errands, or even just taking those “decluttered” donation boxes down to actually get donated. And while you’re at it, volunteer to take any grocery or shipping bags and other drop-off-only recyclables to the proper drop off place that’s never as convenient as you’d like it to be!
One final idea for that special someone that already has everything? Try a virtual or in-person decluttering gift session or package. We inspire healthy decluttering anywhere in the world.
Check out our full services list – we also offer packages for Garage Organization, Moving Services, Closet Audits and more!
Happy Holidays and have a Happy New Year!
Leave a Reply