When the holidays roll around, sometimes it's hard to face the extra piles of "stuff" that come into our home: more toys, more clothes, more paper, more boxes. If you're trying to live more simply, more frugally or more "green" it can be a challenge to get through the gift-giving season and stay true to your ideals at the same time. Shopping for someone who already "has it all" can bring its own unique challenges!

Give an Experience

Instead of giving a thing, try giving someone an experience. Give new parents a gift of a meal out with babysitting inlcuded. Give a child a trip to the zoo or to an amusement park. Plan a movie night, either at the theater or at home. Take a girlfriend out for a manicure and pedicure. Give your spouse a certificate for a massage (either from you or from a professional). Plan an afternoon of baking cookies with a favorite niece or nephew. Give a music enthusiast tickets to an upcoming concert or musical. All of these are clutter-free and rich in memories!

Give Consumables

Give something that can be used up and appreciated by the recipient. For years we’ve encouraged family to give our daughter art supplies. She loves them and uses them, and because they‘re plentiful there isn’t a sense of preciousness to them or trying to save them. Most women would love a basket of bath and body items (soaps, lotions, bath salts, scrubs). Baskets with a food theme are easy to assemble. Pick your theme (Italian, breakfast, romantic) and then head to the store to find goods that fit your theme. Tuck in coordinating napkins, wine, etc. as appropriate. There are many recipes available for cookies, soups, quick breads and more in a jar.

Shop Handmade

If possible, try to find truly handmade gifts. This often reduces packaging as well as transportation costs associated with large-scale distributors and vendors. There are many directories online showcasing independent (“indie“) businesses. A few to check out include IndieCollective and IndiFriendly and IBuyDiy .