Gifts without the guilt
In a recent post on this blog, Linda McQuinn Carlblom, suggested strategies for helping children weed out un-necessary or un-used toys. It got me thinking about how to help this seemingly ongoing problem of ‘stuff accumulation’. Birthdays, Christmas and other special events tend to be the times when I am searching for something to wrap and deliver. It can be a time when I contribute to the stuff collections in the homes of those I love, often they are people like me who are trying to fight the never satisfied monster of consumerism. So how can we give gifts that don’t accumulate? That convey a message of love and appreciation without cluttering up the recipients’ home?
What are you really giving?
Here are a few things I like to consider when organising gifts for the children in my world (and this includes my children’s friend’s birthday parties).
1) Give something to eat!
Perhaps a recipe and bundle of ingredients for something SUPER yummy that can be made one afternoon? Or a collection of unusual and interesting confectionery? Or a batch of home made toffee apples with the child’s initials carved in the pre-toffee’d apple?
Once it’s been eaten – it’s gone!
2) Give something to do!
Find out what the receiving child is interested in making/creating and contribute to their developing hobby. Perhaps they are learning to sew – what about some cute patchwork fabric? Or a simple doll making kit? Perhaps they are beginning to be interested in model building – why not stock them up with bits of balsa wood and glue? Are they a budding writer or artist – how about a new notebook (I could never get enough of them as a child- and still find myself very happy with gifts of the stationary variety.)
Great shoes!
3) Give something to wear!
This can be an especially good idea when combined with point 2. How about a blank T-shirt and fabric paints or crayons? Or for an older child, a set of tie dying instructions and dyes? Even a simple pair of canvas sneakers can be decorated.
Or, perhaps a piece of clothing with a favourite branded character on it that the family would not normally purchase due to financial constraints?
4) Give something to read!
Maybe it’s just because I’m an author, but I believe books always make wonderful gifts. They are full of ideas and imagination. Find out what your child enjoys, start them on an enjoyable series, begin a collection of trusted classics. Although ebooks are on the rise, so are beautifully presented hard backs!
5) Give something that can be saved!
Sometimes the children we know are working hard doing jobs, or trying to save their pocket money to save for a larger dream purchase. If you find out about this inside information, maybe you could help contribute towards this dream?
Now, I’ll admit, I don’t always succeed at giving clutter free gifts. I’m often very guilty of contributing to another family’s toy heap, but it’s worth having a standard and aiming for it where possible.
What ideas do you have for ‘stuff free gifts’?
Or what have your children received with enthusiasm that didn’t equate to ‘just more things to tidy up’?