Low waste gifts
LOW WASTE GIFT IDEAS
Christmas and birthdays do not have to be pilled high with gifts to make them enjoyable. When it comes to intentional gift giving I like to keep the phrase “It’s not the quantity but the quality” in mind. It helps me not feel the pressure to buy odds and ends that will probably never be touched after the initial excitement of receiving it. Quality items don’t need to be expensive items they can simply meet a physical need. For example some quality item I have received as gifts have been wool socks, kitchen sheers, and flannel sheets.
Another phrase we use in our home to help us stay inside our budget and keep things minimal is “ Something you want, something you need, something to wear, something to read.” It helps us stay focused and not over buy in one of this categories.
Here are some great low waste gift ideas
TICKETS/PASSES - Concerts, sports, movie, theater, zoo, Museum, theme park,
CLASSES/EDUCATION - Art, music, sport, cooking, home brewing or wine making, candle making, rock climbing, life guarding,
TIME - Babysitter, house cleaner/organizer, massage, date night, restaurant gift cards,
MONEY - Tuition, cash, gift cards, savings bond, investments, donations to non-profits
EDIBLE - Wine, Coffee, Fruit basket, Box of chocolate, desserts,
OTHER - Plants, flowers, practical home items, counseling session, message
My all time favorite gifts are gifts I can experience with other people. Going on road trips, seeing new places, watching a movie in the movie theater are all so much fun on their own, but when you add your favorite people....BOOM! It’s instantly even more of a cherished memory.
Another great option would be to take a trip together or buy one item that the whole family can enjoy together.
For kids
When it comes to the little ones it can be hard to refrain from buying all the adorable things. I like to think practically and thoughtfully when giving to children. Some practical things may be clothes, bedding, a backpack, self care items (Hair scrunchies, toothbrushes, combs, ect.). It may sound simple and silly but it goes a long way. Another great idea is giving them a tasty treat or maybe an experience of going out for a special day with people they love. I love to give gift cards for them to go and pick out something that they really want. Sometimes it’s a gift card to an ice cream shop, other times it’s a gift card to a toy store, and sometimes it’s just cash. It honestly depends on the kid and what fits them. I try to be careful to respect the culture of other peoples families because not everyone chooses a minimal lifestyle and I don’t want to push my lifestyle forcefully onto someone else so if they are expecting toys or clothes than that’s what I’m going to give. Another idea is to give items or experiences that will grow with the child. Wooden toys, a chess set, books, bikes/scooters, flash cards are all simple yet great things to buy that will last a long time. Giving them a subscription such as to a kids toy box like LOVEEVERY or KIWICO would be a fun gift that grows with them.
Addressing gift giving with family
Sometimes we come across relatives that absolutely love getting you or your children things that you don’t really love or want in your home. Addressing this might be challenging because that persons love language may be gift giving. This means that giving gifts is a way that they tell someone, in their own language, that they matter to them and they love them. So telling them that you don’t want them to give gifts to your family could potentially hurt them a lot. It’s important to have conversations with your extended family and friends as to why you don’t do lots of physical gifts and maybe for those who love gift giving, give them a list of awesome gift ideas that you would actually love receiving. The culture of your home is different than theirs and they may not be used to that mindset. You are the keepers of your home, if you aren’t comfortable with receiving certain gifts than talk with your family and friends and tell them why. It might be awkward but talking about it is one hundred percent better than not and dreading receiving gifts form certain people. A mindset that I have adapted since having a baby of my own is that I can buy what I want and love for my child but I can’t control what other people want to gift him. This means he get items that maybe wouldn’t be my first choice, but their gifts and their his, so I’ll step back and let him enjoy the generosity of others. It is more important to me that my son understands how to be grateful for what hes given.
When it comes to giving gifts I do my best to give personal and thoughtful gifts. My extended family does Christmas/birthday hints and amazon lists. Giving gifts should never be about you, it should always be about the person you are giving to. If they know what they want and specifically ask for it than why not get them what they want. Just like I don’t like receiving impractical cluttered things for my home I wouldn’t want to give them anything they wouldn’t want or use in their home.
