In this day and age I find myself making a lot of considerations when it comes to gift giving with the primary one being cost. Things, stuff, crap, whatever you want to call it, is expensive and becoming even more so. Another one is that most people in my circle are in similar positions, just like me. We have all the things, stuff, crap, whatever you want to call it, we need or want and we are all working to downsize and clear the clutter in our own homes. We are also all on limited incomes.
I like to give consumables. They are easy, appreciated and they don’t hang around forever. Food gifts are my favorite because I love to cook and create in my kitchen. It is my number one favorite thing to do above all else. So anything food related is a good gift option. I also like to give wine, beer and liquor to my drinking friends.
Other consumables are things I know a specific person would like. I have friends that like paper, not unlike myself, so I will give them a simple decorated notepad or journal I have made. Add a pen, or not, and it is good to go. They’ll use it up and they don’t take up a lot of space. I have friends that love candles. I have people that enjoy a nice scented soap. We can all use a bottle of foaming hand soap to wash our hands with. Things we will use on a daily basis and use up meet the criteria.
Gift cards are my other go-to gift item. I like them because you can personalize it based on who you are giving it to and they fit nicely inside a greeting or Christmas card. Easy peasy! Most of the gift cards I give are to grocery stores, gas stations or a favorite restaurant, something useful to enhance their life a little bit.
I no longer need to shop for gifts to stockpile, wrap and send to people for their birthdays or at Christmas. I no longer need to spend a bunch of money or need to have a particular budget set up for gift giving anymore either. I just keep it modest and simple. Not surprisingly, the gifts that are appreciated the most are the ones they can eat.
I started following a policy at Christmastime with my peeps. They get one big gift, some cash and treats in a stocking, and something I made like jam or snack mix. I spend far less on gifts for them now than when they were younger because I am more creative with it. Everyone else gets a card. And mostly I give them money for their birthdays, since they forget to use the gift cards!
ReplyDeleteExcellent ideas! :)
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