Greetings!
Does Christmas shopping leave you feeling exhausted and run down; especially if you're wearing your 4" heels?
For as long as I can remember, my sister and I have helped my parents with their Christmas shopping. It began with my dad asking one of us to choose a nightgown and perfume that he could give to his "bride."
Several years ago my mom started asking us to help her shop for gifts for my dad because she no longer drives or has the energy to shop. I don't mind helping out my parents. It's a simple task because they know exactly what they want me to buy.
It's a different story when it comes to my Christmas shopping. I never know what to buy and I'm totally overwhelmed by the choices and the holiday displays. Because I'm a professional organizer, the last thing I want to do is buy clutter or just "stuff."
Your friends and family probably have enough stuff in their lives. They may have even told you they really don't need anything. The problem is....you want to give them a gift because you enjoy giving gifts.
Here are some gift ideas for people on your gift list who say they don't need anything. As a bonus, these gifts do not have to be dusted or take up space on a long term basis.
- Do you enjoy cooking or baking? Give homemade cookies, candy, bread, pies or even soup they can freeze and enjoy later.
- Brighten their home with a seasonal plant, wreath or centerpiece that lasts just through the Christmas season. I enjoy planting amaryllis bulbs and giving them as gifts. It's fun and easy to grow these. Florists sell gorgeous poinsettias this time of year. Plants also make great hostess gifts.
- Instead of having a gift exchange with friends, invite them over for coffee and bagels or wine and dessert.
- If you enjoy playing games, host a game night with hot chocolate and cookies.
- Offer gifts of service. Shovel or snow blow their driveway; put their decorations away, or grocery shop/run errands. This gift could be redeemed in January.
- Give the gift of time. Treat them to a concert or show. Has someone hinted that they would like to learn how to knit the fabulous scarves you've been knitting? If you have a certain skill others talk about and envy, offer to teach a complimentary lesson or two.
- Siblings can also give the gift of time. Take your brother or sister shopping, to a movie, or bowling. Spend time reading to a sibling, make them a homemade treat, play a game, or do all their chores for a day.
- Do you love to shop but your family doesn't exchange gifts? Local charities put together wish lists for families in need. Adopt a family and shop for the items on their list. Maybe your extended family or co-workers would want to adopt a family together. Assemble a food basket for a needy family, or select a gift off a giving tree at your local mall or church.
Start making your clutter-free gift list now. Here are some links that may help inspire you.
www.justgive.org
More clutter free gift ideas
www.mompop.org
www.changingthepresent.org
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