Fresh Alternatives to Christmas Gift-Giving

When we think of Christmas, we think of family. We think of Santa, of celebrating our chosen faiths, and usually we also think of a Christmas tree and stockings bursting with gifts for us and our loved ones.

Buying a gift can be fun, but it is a very stressful event. Not only do you need to budget accordingly – or perhaps overspend (I know I loathe my January credit card bill!) – but you need to be sure that it is the RIGHT gift for that person and decide whether or not it would be appreciated. The malls are packed, the parking lot is even worse, and everyone seems to be in some confused daze as they wander in and out of shops with confounded looks on their faces.

Imagine a Christmas where these mass-produced gifts were not necessary. Imagine not having to venture into those awful malls and parkades! Below are some ideas for how to find gifts that do not require any shopping.

Get Crafty

Homemade wares are a wonderful gift to give as, well, how can a gift get any more personal than being made by your own hands? From hand-made Christmas wreaths to Christmas ornaments to vases and mugs and picture frames, any craft store will have exactly what you need to create that perfect gift.

Mementos

Thinking about what to give that special someone? Create a memento piece for them, like a memory box, a scrap book or a photo mug. This is a particularly great choice for partners, family and good old friends. You’ll find everyone laughing and musing over your adventures from the past.

Get “Winey”

If you know any wine or beer connoisseurs, try making your own brews either at home or at a “brew it yourself” establishment. You can create your own vino concoctions for under $5 a bottle and beers for $1-$2 a bottle!

Be Sweet

There are tons of recipes out there for how to make homemade treats like candies, chocolates, and cakes. I personally prefer the homemade treats. I mean, by the end Christmas who isn’t throwing out those left over boxes of hedgehogs that you just cannot bear to even look at any more?

Other mall-free ideas include offering services that could be useful for a person (such as housecleaning for an elderly parent or relative, or landscaping services for a friend who’s thumb is less than green), making donations in peoples’ names or even pet sitting! These sorts of things are far more useful than a box of caramels!

photo by K. Ongroove