What do you get for the person who has everything? For the person who is a minimalist?
As I continue to grow up and experience Christmas, subtle changes have taken place. Not only has the nature of my gifts changed, but the gifts I choose for others has changed as well.
While some of my family members remain easy to buy for, others have only grown more challenging. So, today as we count our way down to Christmas, let’s talk gifts.
There are a number of factors to take into consideration when searching for the best gift for someone. In this post I will break down these various elements to navigating gift giving in a conscientious and innovative manner. From these various factors you can gain insight and maybe have a few ideas sparked about what to get for everyone on your list.
Factor One:
The first and foremost element to gift giving, is that there is a joy to be had as both recipient and giver. So, this holiday season partake in both experiences.
Factor Two:
It’s important to honor who you are. These are gifts from you, and we’ll get into some specific examples of this further on, but before we begin talking about different ideas and places you can search for that spot-on gift, let’s address self-love.
During the holiday season there is a lot of gift giving and each person approaches and handles Christmas in their own manner. Choose to honor your method and manner as opposed to comparing your gifts to others.
Cost, quantity, and style are unique to every person. Ultimately what makes a gift a success is not just how in-tune you are with the recipient, but you play a role as well.
What could be a crazy gift coming from one person, might be a wonderful reminder of a special moment or inside joke coming from a different person. So, this holiday season search for gifts that honor who you are and your connection with your family and friends.
Factor Three: Finances
Not everyone has at their disposal an unlimited budget. Sometimes where you are personally in your life will influence what you are able to do during a given holiday season. Rather than choosing a fear or worry-based perception, instead choose compassion and love.
No matter the level of your finances, call on your spirit guides and the spirit guides of your loved ones to help you find gifts not only right for your family but also right for your wallet. There is no need for you to overextend yourself in order to attain Christmas presents.
The second element to finances is the influence of your own beliefs.
Finances + Choice:
Where we choose to spend our money is like casting a vote. Each time the credit card is inserted or cash exchanges hands, we support someone or something. It is through this support that businesses stay open and thrive.
This is the power of your dollar.
So, who do you want to support? What do you believe in?
Speaking personally, my family likes to not only purchase unique gifts for family and friends, but we like to search for them in places we believe in. This includes local stores and fair trade items.
When you shop locally, you not only support that cute nick-nack store, the local artists who consign their work there, but you are supporting your local economy. Plus, you can find unique, one of a kind, reasonably priced items.
Fair trade on the other hand often times is not American made items (also wonderful), they are items made by impoverish people in third-world countries.
For example, there was a booth a local Christmas fair where I used to always get something for my friends. This booth was Ugandan made jewelry and artwork. The income went back to the Ugandan women, who were often times the sole supporter of their family.
Fair trade items can come from all over the world, but what “fair trade” means is that the sellers in the developed countries like America have worked out an agreement with the creators in developing countries, so that they are supported. Rather than working for little money, the majority of the income is returned, and a living wage is paid. Fair trade counteracts corporate control and politics. It helps the little people.
When you shop for Christmas gifts or even birthday gifts, where and how you spend your money shapes the world we live in. It shapes the collective narrative of what we value and believe in.
Factor Four: Personality
Once you know what you can financially afford, where you wish to spend your dollar, and have set out to honor yourself the next factor to consider is who you are buying a present for.
One of the surest ways to figure out what to get a person is to consider what you know about them. Speaking personally, I have been able to come up with fresh ideas for even my trickiest family members when I not only consider what I know about them but focus on a different area of their lives.
For example, one Christmas you can buy a gift that supports a person’s hobby, like a required tool or material. For a musician, this could be sheet music, for an artist- paint, brushes, colored pencils, etc.
Then the next year, you can focus on another area of that person’s personality or life. Such as a self-pamper gift, an outing they can take with their spouse, or a different hobby.
There is so much to us as people. When you slow down to consider who you’re buying for, you can combine what you see on the shelves with who they are, to guide you to the best gift for them this holiday season.
Gift Ideas:
You are the one who knows who you are buying for. That being said, here are few gift ideas to help you on your shopping journey…
Beauty + Practicality:
The gifts that last for years are the ones that have a purpose. While the cute toy or gadget can please a friend, as time passes it can become just another piece of stuff. For those minimalists, it will soon find itself in the “give,” “donate,” or “throw away” pile.
So, instead of purchasing another “thing,” look for a gift with a practical use. They can still be a beautiful or fancy gift, but at their core they will become a treasure to the recipient.
For example, I purchased a Lou Pan (Feng Shui Compass) for my mother when she was studying Feng Shui. It not only is a beautiful piece but functional.
A less exotic gift that my family gave my uncle was a spoon rest holder. As the confirmed bachelor, my mother and I choose Christmas gits that bring a special and feminine touch to his bachelor home.
Homemade:
While there are gifts to be found at your local store, sometimes a homemade gift can be even more wonderful. Not only is it one of a kind, but it demonstrates the level of affection, love, and dedication you have for friend, family, and lover alike.
This homemade gift can be a hobby (like knitting or quilting) it can also be less than perfect. A homemade frame or Christmas ornament, even baked goods can touch a person emotionally far better than the perfect machine-made item.
Pamper:
Other times, a great gift can be something they wouldn’t normally get for themselves. This pampering gift can come in the shape of high-quality coffee, blanket/jacket, or even massage oil.
What is something that this person would love, but wouldn’t get for themselves?
Sometimes with these gifts, all you need to do is start the conversation and they’ll tell you.
Adventure:
If a nice quality gift isn’t for them, consider a gift that pushes your friend or family member to try something new.
Sometimes, we as individuals can be hesitant to try something new, to take the class, or attempt a new hobby. But if you purchase the class, the starter kit, or offer to try it with them, you can be that gentle push someone needs to open-up to a new joy.
I will mention here that you really give this gift some thought. This is not about what you want them to do or who you want them to be. This is about taking who they are, bucket list ideas, or off-handed remarks and helping to facilitate a new adventure.
Gifts of this nature always carry an element of the unknown, and it won’t be until Christmas when they open the starter kit or gift certificate that you’ll know how they really feel about a new adventure.
Experience:
Along those same lines, sometimes a Christmas gift is not something that can be wrapped and placed under the tree. Sometimes the best gift you can give someone who has everything and really doesn’t want anything more- is an experience.
What activity might appeal to them?
Where might they like to go?
Sometimes it’s not the gift opened on Christmas day that brings the most joy, but rather is the gift that you share with someone you love later in the year. Not only is the experience wonderful but it’s connected with the memory of Christmas and love. It can further connect you with people you love.
Donate:
My last recommendation is to consider what your friend or family member believes in.
If an adventure or experience isn’t going to work for your minimalist, consider donating what you would spend on a gift to an organization they believe in.
A few years ago, I had a friend who didn’t want anything for her birthday. Instead, she found a non-profit organization she believed in and asked all of us to donate in her name.
If you don’t feel an item will resonate with your friend, consider donating to a charity group in need this holiday season.
Choosing to be a conscientious gift giver not only positively impacts our world, but it also narrows down all the gift options out there, to one or two ideas for each of the people on your list.
This holiday season and as we travel into the new year, honor yourself, the world, and those you love by being a conscientious gift giver.
Merry Christmas Chickadee!