Why you ask… there is lots of time left…. Well yes, however, when you start to do the math… 28 people x approx. $20 (or MORE) per person= $560 plus!!!
YIKES…. And then when I begin to think about “What does anyone really NEED anyhow?”… I mean my Nephews and Nieces seem to have every toy imaginable already, and I certainly don’t like ADDING to that… so what should I do?
What can we all do differently which will still fulfill our need for gift giving, without breaking the bank, or adding to our already clutter filled lives?
Here are a few ideas:
1. Have a “Make or Bake” Christmas! Personally make a gift or Bake something for your friends and family!
2. Time is often a bigger gift then money! Make coupons for your time with family members; whether its babysitting time, or housecleaning, neck message etc.
3. On behalf of different family members, sponsor a child overseas or give locally to various causes and charities.
4. A great idea for teaching children to reach out to others is by buying (on their behalf) soccer balls, or a chicken, school supplies, clean water etc. for other children who are less fortunate then them through organizations like Ten Thousand Villages (Living Gift 2009), or PLAN (plancanada.ca)
5. Offer to teach someone a skill you have… music lessons, pie making, computer skills etc.
6. Give FAIR TRADE items which not only act as gifts, but also provide income to artisans, farmers etc. in countries who truly need it.
7. Give a “FAMILY” gift instead of individual gifts, perhaps something that will bring the family together eg. a game
8. Have a recycled Christmas, give gifts that are PRE-loved by you and your family, but someone else may enjoy! Eg. Jewelry that was your grandmothers that you don’t wear may be adored by another family member, an old tackle box filled with lure for your nephew, a purse with FUN makeup for you young niece etc.
9. Have a “Salvaged” Christmas, buy pre-loved gift from thrift stores for you family and friends but at a fraction of the cost! And have fun doing it, hunt out cool ONE of a kind items which you can’t BUY in the stores anymore!
10. Framed photographs or custom family calendars are great keepsakes and at a low cost!
11. Consider giving a living gift, a beautiful potted plant with a pretty pot is a great gift for an individual or a family.
OK so I’m sure there are MANY more great ideas, and I’d LOVE to hear them, so let us know what YOU do to keep costs down and still feel GOOD about what your giving instead of the uggg… consumerism feeling many of us get while walking the malls in search for STUFF to give.
Good luck, and remember it really IS the thought that counts!
Gift Gatherers,
Heather and Chanel
Hey you two, wanted to share a little secret that the Bokshowan's have been doing for years now. The 7 of us (mom and dad included) draw names each year for Christmas. This becomes the only person we have to buy for. The fun part is that we usually end up contributing in some way to everyone's gift since we ask eachother for ideas or pick things up if we see something that we think someone will like, then share the find with the person who has their name. We love it and love the tradition is has become!
ReplyDelete****HUGS**** to both of you... and lots of love too! Je vous aime