Most of us accumulate more things than we need, whether purchased or received as gifts. How often have you said, “I can’t get rid of that, it was a gift?” If that item hadn’t come from someone who cares about you, it would have been thrown out or donated years ago. But we hang onto the ugly cheese tray, the Santa socks and that vase in the basement just in case your aunt/sister/dad/best friend asks about it. And we end up with unwanted things piling up around our homes because we don’t want to disrespect the loved one who gifted it to you (and who probably has forgotten about it by now).
On your next gift giving opportunity, keep the recipient’s home in mind and choose to give them something that won’t cause more clutter. Consider three categories: direct requests, experiences and consumables.
Direct requests are things your loved one has specifically asked for, whether in a wish list or in conversation. We know they want it and that it will be put to good use. We tend to do this for closest loved ones such as children or parents who might not have the ability to get things for themselves. And it feels good to give a gift you know for sure the person will love, even if we didn’t technically pick it out ourselves.
With experiences, you can use your creativity. These can be more extravagant, like a weekend getaway, a spa day or a series of cooking classes. Think of something you have talked about doing together but never got around to. Is there a museum you have wanted to go to with them? Get a gift certificate in advance so the follow through is assured. Other ideas include gift cards to a car wash, a favorite restaurant or theatre tickets. Why not buy them a year of a streaming service or online newspaper? The possibilities are nearly endless.
Experience gifts can also be smaller personal gestures, like a curated playlist of songs that remind you of your relationship, a slideshow of photos and videos or a coupon booklet of favors like running errands or babysitting. These gifts can show the recipient how well you know them and can strengthen your relationship while not requiring a big budget.
Consumables are universally appropriate for close friends and family or work colleagues. Think about food, drink, body products or candles. These are things that may be used immediately but don’t stick around forever. If you have culinary skills, give a homemade dessert or casserole. Are they wine enthusiasts or tea drinkers? A basket of favorite beverages is a lovely idea. Candles, soaps and body lotions are also great ideas, if you know the recipient actually uses the products you plan to give. Even a basket of high end, environmentally friendly cleaning products are less likely to collect dust than a knick knack or wrong-sized sweater.
Gifting in a thoughtful and ephemeral way is joyful. And we give you permission to donate, toss or regift anything you received as a gift and are holding onto. It’s yours now to do (or don’t do) with it whatever you want.
