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Talk It Out:
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"We live in a very small house and my children receive
carloads of gifts from their loving grandparents. Storage has been
such a problem that my husband and I are forever creating mental lists
of more appropriate gifts we could ask for. Our best idea so far has
been to ask that we try a ‘perishable-gift Christmas’. Ideally
everyone would have to buy and give only perishables. To prove that
this could still encompass very nice gifts we came up with the
following ideas:
* perfume * lotions/make up * bubble baths/oils * nuts/fruit * wine * oils/vinegars * coffee/teas * barbecue/hot sauces * gourmet foods/spices * stationary/stamps * candles * film * restaurant gift certificates * flowers * pretty paper napkins Hope this helps!" ~ Tina, MI |
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"I am in a similar situation. My family has bought me many
trinkets, knickknacks and other totally useless items. When a family
member asks what I want for birthdays, Christmas or other holidays; I tell them I would like candles (no candleholders), coffee or another perishable item. I don't wear perfume but I go through quite a bit of lotion. I have warned the gang that I have too much 'stuff' and feel suffocated by clutter. I try to do the same thing for my family members. One of my daughters is having to work two jobs. Her husband recently lost a very good job, after they had bought a house and a new car. She is telling me that she misses the flavored coffee that she used to buy. She will be getting a care package 'per her request' that contains a lot of the special coffees and foods that they can no longer afford. Most of my family is suffering with a clutter problem and we all understand that we need to scale down our giving trinkets that gather dust and try to give practical gifts that are truly appreciated." ~ L Willis |
| "My favorite ‘non-clutter’ gifts are edibles - shortbread or biscotti, salsa or preserves, or honey from our beehives, all with a nice note and/or a recipe card. I decorate a brown paper bag for the cookies, and add some ribbon around the canned goods to make them a little more presentable. Once the goodies are eaten, the bags and the glass jars can go in the recycle bins." ~ LKC |
| "Others will probably send in this idea too, but a dining out gift certificate is wonderful! Outside plants are welcomed by many. My daughters usually give me plants or seed to feed the birds for Mother's Day." ~ Sue |
| "I tell my grown children not to give me anything I can't ‘use up’. Magazine subscriptions are my favorite since I read a lot. I can always recycle them at the dentist's office or medical clinic. Paperback books are always good, too, since the local large flea market has one book to trade for every two you bring in. Also edible gifts, perfume and fresh flowers are very appreciated gifts I have received. These are good gifts for people who ‘have everything’ and don't want to clutter up our already full homes with a lot of stuff we don't want and can't use." ~ JF |
| "Maybe this doesn't go well with the last issue’s discussion about keeping the trash to a minimum, but a great gift for some would be a case of paper plates and/or cups and napkins. This gift would save a cleaning up chore, be used up thus leaving no clutter, and likely burned as heat. We're planning to give my husband gift certificates for restaurants close to his office for the days he forgets to grab his lunch on the way out. Everyone can use a holiday from the kitchen, not to mention cleaning in general; how about coupons for a lawn mow or two hours of house cleaning for someone who can't do it themselves, or could just use the reprieve?" ~ Linda |
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"(Oops! I wrote an whole article!) I guess it needs a title! Clutter Free Gift Giving for Everyone on Your List! I like to give (and receive) experiences and things people can ‘use up’ rather than meaningless trinkets. This is especially sweet when it's something you'd love to do, but feel guilty spending the money because it's not absolutely necessary. My parents like to eat Ryan's buffet...and the price steadily climbs higher and higher. For Father's Day, I'm planning on giving my dad a gift certificate for Ryan's. An ‘almost sister’ of mine plans to do the same. When Daddy combines both gifts, he'll have enough to take mother out at least once without having to consider the cost. Kids often beg for fast food treats...more often than parents can afford. Most fast food restaurants do sell gift certificates, at least during holiday seasons. If there are several kids in a family, these make good stocking stuffers. Near Trick-or-Treat time, Wendy's and McDonald’s sell books of coupons for free, mini "Frostys" or ice cream cones. If you have several kids you like to 'treat', buy several books of these at $1 each. You can split the books up and give each child 1, 2, or 3 free treat coupons...not just for ‘pumpkin day’ but slipped into an October birthday card or ‘just because’. These do expire within a month or so, so be sure to check the date. A gift certificate to a favorite store or restaurant is also a gift of guilt-free, worry-free pleasure! Just make sure it's truly something they do enjoy. My sister has 5 kids. Instead of cluttering their lives with more toys they'll play with only once, a year's membership to the zoo for the whole family would be a gift that gives almost year round. The large city near us has a membership that includes most of the museums and a few other city attractions in one package! So, if you know someone who'd like to ‘do more’ but can't afford it, this is a good idea. If you were going to spend even $10 per child, plus the adults, you can afford most family memberships. Also, there are special deals on books of movie tickets, especially for the summer season. This might make a good gift as well. Movie rental gift certificates are good for families, seniors who live alone...anyone you know enjoys watching movies at home. You could create a gift basket containing the gift certificates, a few bags of microwave popcorn, and other favorite snacks. Last year for my birthday, my parents gave me a discount card the local high school was selling as a fundraiser. This card cost $10, and had special offers to several fast food restaurants and a few of the ‘sit down’ restaurants. Soon afterwards, we hit a financial crunch, and using that card allowed us to squeeze in a few more visits to our favorite places, especially on a busy day. I mean, getting 2 Subway sandwiches for the price of one is a bargain in my book...probably even less expensive than it would cost me to make sub sandwiches at home. We have a small family, and by the time I buy ALL the ingredients to make good hoagies, I've spent 1/2 my grocery money, and then we'd have to eat subs every day to use up all the ingredients before they spoiled. So we really enjoyed that discount card! I have a friend who likes to give gifts from Bath & Body works. She even fills a basket with the pump soaps, etc. that she KNOWS are going to be used. This is something almost anyone would like, but those of a frugal nature wouldn't splurge on for themselves. Friends can enjoy the special fragrances, then refill with a less expensive soap later. How many times have you needed a card or gift bag/wrapping paper and had to rush around at the last minute looking for a quick solution? We usually think of giving signed cards and putting gifts in bags, but I think a gift bag stuffed with cards the recipient can use herself would be a very useful present. Also calendars and ‘to do’ list pads. You can even create a basket of several of these items from a dollar store. Last year, I printed out calendars note cards featuring my own artwork and paired them with card-size envelopes. I'd choose 2 or 3 cards, add a personalized calendar, tie them with a ribbon, and give them as gifts to friends and family. Hand-decorated note cards are a good idea, also. This is something you can do while the family is watching TV, if you like to doodle. Over the course of a few months, you'll have enough to put a few ‘sets’ together. If you're not confident in your drawing skills, you could try your hand at stamp or stencil art to create cards, gift bags, etc. The post office frequently has sets of pretty postcards, note cards, mailing labels, etc. marked down to 1/2 price or less. I've seen sets decorated with designs from stamp series featuring popular illustrators of children's books, Looney Tune characters, dinosaurs, birds, insects and holiday designs. Pick these up when they're on clearance and tuck them into your gift cache. It wouldn't hurt to add a book of stamps and a pen to the gift if you want to create a nice gift basket of truly usable items. On a similar note...I've heard some people give phone cards. This is probably a good idea for truck drivers (who don't have cell phones), college students, and other people without consistent, affordable phone access. I often purchase items being sold to raise money for a good cause and use them as gifts. That way, I accomplish two things at once without blowing money. A lady at our church was selling homemade jams and jellies to raise money for a special project I wanted to support. I purchased several of those...some for my own household, and some to give as gifts. To tell you the truth, I'm not sure I ever gave any of these away (they were SO good), but it had been my original intention! Watch and listen to see if the recipients have truly used and enjoyed the gift, and if they have...give more of the same to them next time! It sure makes choosing gifts a whole lot easier!" ~ Robyn www.MyTinCottage.com |
| "I like to give stationary. If I'm giving a gift to an older person on a fixed income, I include stamps. I also like to give something I've baked. A special touch is to put a photo on the gift of a time you have shared together during the past year. Sometimes, I'll give a card (not an expensive one, but usually a pretty note card) which includes an invitation to lunch or breakfast - perhaps I'll treat at a restaurant, or perhaps prepare something at my own home. Sometimes, I'll tell my loved one they may invite one or two special friends, too. We have a great time." ~ Anne |
| "When it comes to someone I don't know well, or a person getting many things from my children (their teachers, grandparents, etc.), I try to stick with one rule: Can they ‘use it up’? Items they can use up are anything that, once used, is gone...such as food gifts, candles, soap/bath beads, lotions, and the like. Know your recipient! Don't give bath supplies to someone who only takes showers. Don't give scented candles to someone with severe allergies (many scents can cause headaches and other symptoms). Then it's just more clutter because they won't use it! Get it?? Be thoughtful about your containers, too. If someone is a candle lover, chances are that they have many candle holders, so skip that and just get them lots of candles! Instead of putting one of those ‘cookie in a jar’ mixes into a mason jar, put it into a ziploc bag and wrap in a scrap of fabric tied with ribbon (unless you know the person receiving the mason jar will use it). If giving a gift to a coffee lover, and you know they have LOTS of mugs, just give them a box or gift bag with coffee beans, coffee filters, dry creamer, etc. All things that will be USED UP. Easy!" ~ Julianne |
| "The best ‘clutter free’ gifts are the gifts of an experience instead of an item. The well-thought-out experience will be treasured for years when the clutter will broken and discarded. Think about the person and what they enjoy...a picnic, a hike, a special meal, even a visit to a hair salon for grandma. We have a tradition of honoring the birthday person with breakfast in bed. If you live too far away, send a basket with special goodies for the recipient to eat for breakfast. Use your imagination and put some love into it and you will be surprised how much it is appreciated." ~ JVB |
| "We have recently moved and downsized our home. I have asked my daughter and other family members to no longer buy me knickknacks. I just don't have the place for them. In their place, I suggested they send us gift certificates to restaurants, manicure and pedicure certificates, movie certificates and also anything chocolate." ~ Debbie |
| "I like to give gifts of food or gift certificates for food or movies and the like. I also have given gifts of things you can use up such as laundry supplies for the new homeowner or newlyweds or toiletries for the college student. Just think about items that can be consumed and don't create much waste (that can't be recycled)." ~ Jean |
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"I like to give gifts that can get used up and not sit around
gathering dust or put in a closet. Here are some of them:
* Gifts in a jar - soup mix, bread mix, cookie mix etc, Other ideas - |
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"About twenty years ago my mother said, 'No more knickknacks!'
Here are some anti clutter gift ideas. They fall in the categories of
consumables, giving time, and practical gifts. * Gift certificate to her favorite clothing store * Picture of the kids on a cake * Magnetic refrigerator frame and send the school picture each year * Kids artwork laminated on one side and used as a placemat until too worn to keep. * Making a Sunday dinner complete with table cloth. * Service gifts like raking leaves in fall, picking up pricklies from the walnut tree, shoveling snow, dogsitting * Jewelry * Hanging art, be selective, or better, a gift certificate to an art gallery or frame shop * Gifts that wear out like hand knit socks, or pajamas/pretty nightgowns * Movie tickets * Deposits made to the utility companies, or a year's worth of internet or cell phone service * Car service certificates * Those coupon books many local service organizations sell for local services and restaurants, etc * To be included in a family vacation * Jar full of pleasant memories written on slips of paper, one a day ego-boosters" ~ Ellen |
| "Living in a small house, I also have the problem of receiving ‘clutter gifts’. I try to be thoughtful of others space limits and now give gifts that can be used up and enjoyed at the same time. Two of my favorites are candles and handmade bath items such as soap, bath salts, etc. Most of my friends and relatives like to pamper themselves with these and also they smell great while being used." ~ Mary |
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"Choose things that are quickly used up, or things that don't have
to be put away at all. * If a person is a letter-writer, give stationary or note paper. * Gifts of food, either ordered from a catalog (which takes care of wrapping and shipping) or a gift from your kitchen - fruit breads, jams, relishes, etc. * Gift certificates to restaurants - either adult, or kid-focused such as Chucky Cheese * Tickets to a convenient movie theater - they can choose the date and feature * ‘Coupons’ for a special treat, such as : ‘Good for one shopping trip,’ ‘Good for five car washes,’ ‘Good for one visit to an amusement park,’ or ‘Good for three floor waxings’ * A gift of a computer program - for budgets, making greeting cards, etc., that the person really wants" ~ Natalie |
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"I HATE to give a gift that someone will think is clutter.
Therefore, here is a list from my files with ideas of what to give: Food Items: - Bread (homemade) wrapped in a napkin with Jam or honey & maybe on a breadboard - Bread Mixes - made up for a bread machine - Candied Tea Stirrers - Cheese tray with crackers - Chocolate covered spoons - Chocolate covered strawberries / pineapple - Christmas Photo Ornament for tree - Cinnamon Ornaments - Cookies & other mixes in a jar - Date Nut Bread - Dried Fruit & Nuts - Easy Bake Oven Mixes (for the kids, of course) - Fruit Basket - Fudge - Herb Seasonings Mix - Hot Cocoa Mix - Hot Fudge Sauce - Liqueur - Muffin Mix - Mushroom Spread - Pasta - different colors & shapes - Soup in a Jar - Toffee * Bath Salts or bath bombs * Candle * Soaps * Homemade Paper * Hot and Soothing Rice Bag * Playdoh (for the kids, again)" ~ Lori |
| "Each year at Christmas I give my family members a homemade calendar with pictures of my kids on them, and everyone's birthdays already written in. You can have these made at local copy centers for $20 or more, but I make my own at very little expense. All you need is a color printer and a scanner or digital camera for the photos." ~ Julie |
| "I think a great way to avoid gifts of ‘clutter’ is give someone an experience. This may be something like movie, symphony, or theatre gift certificates. The recipient enjoys a night (or evening if they are frugal like you!) on the town and you are not adding to clutter in their home and their lives." ~ Julie |
| "I give gift certificates. Sometimes they are ‘real’ ones, to movies or a bookstore or department store. Sometimes they are handmade, saying ‘good for ______’ (something the recipient would like). One year, I gave a cousin a session of horseback riding. One could give back rubs, babysitting, help with the garden, and so on. If the recipient has a hobby, certificates could be used for a supply of whatever the hobby might require, such as craft items, a tool or two, etc." ~ Marianne |
| "I think the PERFECT gift for just about everyone is any sort of gift certificate. I know that many people feel 'funny' about giving them, but I absolutely LOVE them. I can get what I really want or need with a gift certificate. There are so many options today with giving gift certificates, for example, I give a Home Depot certificate as a housewarming gift because everybody who buys a house will need to paint, paper, fix something, etc. It's the perfect housewarming gift. Also, if you are unsure of what stores a person is happy with, you can buy an American Express gift certificate that can be used anywhere! Gift certificates are certainly my favorite gift - to both give and receive!!" ~ Nancy - Pennsylvania |
| "Gifts that aren't clutter--I have a similar challenge in in-laws who are able to buy what they need *and* want. I've found that homemade food--fresh oatmeal cookies, chocolate sauce, jams and jellies, breads, partly prepared ‘convenience’ items like cookie or muffin ‘mix’ or bean soup--are nearly universally gratefully received. By adults, that is. For kids, I've looked for or made gift certificates or ‘coupons’ for experiences--parks, for example--that will leave behind only memories." ~ Lois |
| "I just bought 4 never-used [it appears] books on breadmaking at an estate sale for $8 [a $36 value]. I'm going to make different kinds of breads for family & friends. Homemade bread is something that most people don't take the time to make for themselves, but they love it. That's why specialty bread stores with $6 loaves of bread are popping up everywhere!" ~ Candyce |
| "The first thought that came to my mind in the ‘gifts that won't become clutter’ category would have to be food. Either a prepared treat or the recipe and ‘fixins’ that you think someone would enjoy could not possibly be construed as clutter -- double this sentiment if the food includes chocolate!" ~ Susan |
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Editor's Note: Thanks to everyone who took the time to respond. |