In this time of recession, money is extremely tight. In some cases (for many) it is not to be found. And yet, at this time of year, with all the commercialism and marketing of Christmas, it is hard not to get swept up in it and want to take part in the gifting.
Seriously, Christmas is not about what we get and give, or how MUCH we give and get. And yet, gifting is a way we express our love, and it is quite fun to be able to give; often more so than to receive.
I gave this some real thought after talking with my daughter about how she and her fiancé plan not to exchange gifts this year. They are buying a house and, therefore, have to reign in their spending. I thought it a bit sad that they, so young, so in love, would not be gifting each other. Not one gift?
Yes, they will have gifts from their father and me. And, I'm sure there will be other gifts from his family as well. But, nothing from each other? Okay, yes....I know. The house, if they get it (they are still waiting on a loan approval), will be their gift to each other. But, what about undar the tree? Could there not be something that they can give to each other....something inexpensive, maybe free?
As I said, I gave this some great thought. Christmas is not about how much we spend, nor how much we give and get. It is the celebration of the birth of Jeasus. So, at first, I thought I should just let it be. I should mind my own business and not push the issue. Matter of fact, I held back my feelings and agreed with her. I commended their decission to be so frugal. I even related stories about how her father and I spent our first Christmas. We budgeted in just enough money to buy our tree on Christmas eve, (when the few trees left were sad and cheap), two strings of "on sale" lights and a few gifts each. We had no ornaments for our tree. We decorated our little "Charlie Brown" tree with ornaments I made; some fabric, some recycled objects and a whole lot of freebies from mother nature (pinecones, baby's breath, whittled and decorated sticks, etc.).
For the moment, all was well. They were okay with it. They were not going to exchange gifts. So why was I having such a hard time accepting it? Maybe because this is the holidays. And, during the holidays there is celebrating, and in the celebrating there is gifting. And I tend to believe that gifting is an expression of caring....an expression of love. But must that gifting have dollar signs attached? No....of course not. Just like my home made ornaments, that cost nothing more than time and thought, so can gifts be given.
With that, I created a list of 12 gifts that can be given with little to no money spent. It is designed with my daughter and her fiancé in mind. Although it is designed for a party of two, it can accommodate as many people wishing to join in on the gifting.
If you choose to try my alternative gifting, do so knowing:
- you don’t have to give all 12 gifts, but if done so, I think it would be fun....much like that of a treasure hunt; an added bonus (or gift) that you give yourselves for managing to accomplish the whole list
- and you don’t have to talk others into playing along but, again, I think it would be more fun if it was a shared experience. I think it would be fun to see how each of you interpret and manage the gifting.
- also, items can be exchanged out, i.e., #1 can be replaced with something not bought and of your own design / idea
12 Gifts of Christmas:
1. One item from the Dollar Store that most reflects how you feel about your partner. Wrap this with a note of explanation.
2. Freebies....go to department stores, drug stores, grocery stores, etc., and pick up the many FREE samples and coupons that are handed out and found on counters, tables, shelves and bulletin boards at this time of year. Take only those that you feel truly pertain to your partner and wrap them up to give. There may be only one that you find that you truly believe is something your partner would like. That is okay. Volume is not the object of the gift. It is the fact that you cared enough to go out and look for that “something” to give.
3. Something found....this should be something your partner has misplaced, lost or was stolen. If the item was expensive (over $5.00) look for an alternative, i.e., a ring (replace it with a dime store toy ring or candy ring), cell phone or i-pad / laptop (replace with a cheap note pad, a box of chalk, pencil(s) or
origami paper fortune teller), etc.
4. Something borrowed....this should be something of yours that your partner borrows often, i.e., keys, toothbrush or comb (buy them one of their own). Again, if it is something that costs more than $5.00, look for something that is similar in use or an alternative, your i-pod, nano or shuffle? (a toy flute from the Dollar Store), your laptop? see #2. Or, if you don’t mind and wont miss the item (that they always borrow), just offer up that item as a wrapped gift.
5. One thing that will melt their heart.....i.e., can be a love letter / poem (the love letter or poem can be left on their pillow or breakfast or dinner plate (before the meal; you don’t want it all soggy and stained) rolled up and tied with a bow, as well as tied to the tree or boxed under the tree), make / bake something your partner loves and gift it, take on a chore they truly HATE to do (create a chore coupon), a dollar store picture frame with a photo of the two of you or frame a list of “All That I Love About You” (a list of things you love about them), etc. Only you would know what will melt their heart.
6. The Gift of Romance or Seduction....maybe a drive (or walk) to your partner’s favorite spot or a place that your partner considers romantic; just be sure to make it special and note worthy. You can blind fold your partner during that drive to their romantic spot (note: you will have to drive), you could pack a light treat (home baked cookies) or a picnic for the favorite spot, maybe box (with a bow) an invitation to meet you there at a specific time and be waiting for them. If your staying in, you could set the stage or you could print a love coupon (and wrap it up in a box) or make a love coupon book
http://www.romancestuck.com/love-coupons.htm , etc.
7. The Gift of nature....go outside and find one item (a pinecone, acorn, large leaf, branch / stick, bottle cap, rock, shell, etc.). Clean it and, unless it is naturally perfectly beautiful and gift giving worthy, decorate it / alter it; reflecting your love for your partner.
8. The Gift of the Unexpected Re-Gift....take one item from your home that no one will miss, that is not used regularly, and wrap it up. This could be a knick knack, the odd sock, out-of-season article of clothing, broom, candlestick, wrench, toilet paper roll, etc. This is odd but funny...and yet interesting to see what is chosen.
9. The Gift of Remembrance....(If you haven’t already a photo album or special file on your PC) A week before Christmas gather together photos from past days spent with your partner and put them in a box, album or group them in a folder / file (“your names”) on your computer. Then on Christmas eve or day (when you have time) sit together and look through the photos and enjoy the moment.
10. The Gift of Thankfulness.....What are you most thankful for? Now turn that into a gift.....in words, art or action.
11. The Gift of a Donation.....be it money (the loose change in your pocket / purse), clothing, can goods or time. Together, take your donation to the nearest center or donation bin or pot.
12. The Gift of Rest....After all the holiday merriment, turn off your phones, laptop and pads. Pull the shades, draw the curtains, unplug the alarm clock and turn out the lights. Life is good, all is well, you are loved. Now, go to bed and rest.....
Thank you for stopping by
and
Have a beautiful day
