Simplifying the Holidays
Photo by Rauzier Riviere/Getty Images
I know, I know, the Tofurkey ain’t even cold yet, but I just heard someone walk by singing “Silver Bells” so I figured, if you can’t lob a pinecone at them for seasonally out-of-sync anthems, join them.
Jennifer Swanson from the Simple Living Network writes about simple, sustainable, and clutter-free gift ideas for the holidays, whether you’re a proponent of voluntary simplicity, or if you’re related to one and just don’t get their requests for “nothing” this year. “Many gift choices only add more disorder to our already cluttered homes, but what can you do?” she says “My answer is to request and give disappearing gifts, relieving the burden on the receiver to find space for the gift—while sparing the environment at the same time.”
Just some of her ideas: an offer to babysit or do yard work, a membership to a museum, zoo, conservatory, or historical society, a gift certificate to an eco-store or organic restaurant, a contribution to kids’ college funds, and, of course, a charitable donation to a cause that is meaningful to the recipient.
Related article:
1. Baa Ram Ewe: Gifts from the Farm
peppylady said,
November 16, 2006 at 11:03 pm
We offer baby sitting 24 hours to a couple before. We don’t go into debt for the holidays.
thissinglespark said,
November 17, 2006 at 1:05 pm
Maybe I’m vain, but I always assume that the gift that people who I love would most appreciate is some quality time with moi. So I always try to make my gifts “doing” gifts. Such as two tickets to a concert or play…. one for them and one for me. I can’t imagine that they’d want to take someone else. :]
azgoddess said,
November 21, 2006 at 10:49 am
i never go into debt for the holidays…no point in it
one thing i’ve done to my extended family (who live hours away) is to give them online gift certificates…
The Worsted Witch » Present Tense: Our Picks said,
November 28, 2006 at 12:58 pm
[...] Related articles: 1. Simplifying the Holidays 2. Baa Ram Ewe: Gifts From the Farm [...]