Gift giving can be stressful…and tiring…and EXPENSIVE…but, it doesn’t have to be! First, let’s look at what makes a great gift.

FIRST: What makes a great gift?

Innately, people are relational and study after study show that the majority of people are most happy when they are spending time with other people. In fact, these same studies will show that things (material possessions) actually evoke stress, while being in the company of close friends and family reduces it.

So…with that in mind, great gifts are often different than cultural trends (like the latest electronics) and therefore most often can’t be found at Best Buy. Instead, think about ways to do these things:

1) Offer a relational experience-a way to spend time together, either with the gift giver themselves, or someone of the recipient’s choosing

2) Put hours back in the day– people are BUSY and most of us just buy things that we want, but a gift that gives me a little time back, now that’s always a winner!

3) Make life easier- blenders and vacuums get a bad rap as gifts, but practical gifts shouldn’t always be taboo

4) Show REAL thought- personalized gifts can be a real winner, don’t rule these out

Gift ideas for EXPERIENCES:

1. Movie Certificates: from young children to granparents, almost everyone loves going to the movies because it is an experience, and most often it isn’t done alone. Plus, most theaters offer online ordering for gift cards and certificates, so even if you are in a different state, you can give a certificates to a local theater.

2.  Lessons…to do anything!: Do you have a niece that wants to learn how to knit? Most people love to learn new things, whether it is cooking, sewing, scrapbooking, hair cutting, computer skills, or automotive maintenance…you likely have something great to offer.

3. An Adventure: This is GREAT for all of the kids on your list. Parent’s love gifts that keep kids occupied. For a gift, offer to take the recipient for an adventure…it can be a trip to the zoo, or a museum or something you make up like a scavenger hunt or princess tea. You could bake cookies or camp out in the back yard. Plus, by taking the kids for a few hours you are giving the parents a break, too…now that is a great gift ;)

To give, just wrap up an inexpensive token of the event (a small stuffed animal if you are going to the zoo, or some sprinkles if you are baking together) along with a certificate with the details of the experience and how to redeem it.

4. Cupcakery Kit: Cupcakes are all the rage right now. Assemble a basket with items for the recipient to their own masterpieces with friends and family. Basket ideas include this Cupcake Decorating Book, Sprinkles, a Cupcake Frosting Decorating Set, Fun Cupcake Liners, Candy Animal Eyes, and a Neon Gel Food Color Set
5. Date Night: If you have parent’s of young children on your list, giving their parents a “date night” is a great idea. Offer to watch the kids yourself, or include money for a sitter and a gift card to eat out.

6. Tickets to a comedy club or funny theater production: People LOVE to laugh…and while theater tickets could be a hit or miss for the Sound of Music…if the production is a comedy (and has gotten GOOD reviews), it would be a fun gift to receive. Better yet, plan group night out!

7. The Activity Book for Couples ($14.95): The LoveBook Activity Book for Couplesis a fun way to spend some time with your partner and bring laughter to your day! 92 pages of his/her games to play individually and together.  A great way to grow stronger as a couple!

8. Book of the month Club for kids: You select the age range and type of book and they will receive a book in the mail each month. This can be a great idea for pre-teens and teens because the service knows which books their age group will love! Learn more HERE.

9. Pizza Cone Kit ($25): A new trend in pizza, get your fill of gooey cheese, spicy marinara, and tantalizing toppings with this whole new twist on make-your-own pizza night. These clever, crust-based cones provide a fun way to make your own pizza in minutes. See more HERE.

10. The Lego Ideas Book: Keep little hands busy! Now with The LEGO Ideas Book, you can take what you already have and make something new! The book is divided into six themed chapters — transportation, buildings, space, kingdoms, adventure, and useful makes — each with basic templates of key models and spreads to inspire you to create your own.

11. Games are always a hit, too: A few fun ones for the whole family are Marble Run, Suspend (rated #1!), or  Snap Circuits.

12. Q&A a Day for Moms: A 5-Year Journal: This book has gotten REALLY great reviews on Amazon. What it is: This five-year journal will help moms capture it all–simply turn to today’s date and take a few moments to answer the question at the top of the page. As the journal fills, it will become a loving record and cherished family keepsake. Q&A a Day for Moms- $12.92

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Gift ideas for giving TIME BACK or that make LIFE EASIER:

1. A Meal: whether it is a complete meal that can be stored in the freezer until used, or the ingredients that just need to be assembled, this is a great idea for adding time back for busy people, or those you don’t know how much to spend on. I’ve given this to daycare providers, teachers, friends and family and it has been VERY well received. Click HERE for a great recipe and more details for gifting a meal!

2. Frozen dough: It is safe to assume that most people love homemade cookies and bread. Make a big batch of your favorite recipe, freeze it, and give as a gift (with baking instructions of course!) Great for people on your list that you encounter on a regular basis throughout the year, but aren’t sure if you are expected to get them something or not!

3. Gift Cards for a service: Give the gift of a car wash, car detail, or house cleaning service. The possibilities are really endless with this, but most people appreciate a gift that is practical and consumable (as opposed to decorative and space-occupying ;)

4. Gift card for a local quality meat market: What on earth do we get my grandma? She doesn’t have room in her apartment to store anything, but she loves to cook. She appreciates buying quality meat and likes to buy the pre-made treats (like stuffed porkchops or bacon wrapped anything), it saves her time on her feet in the kitchen. (If you know what they like, you could always bring meat as a gift, too!)

5. Something REALLY great that you have come across this past year: I bought two really awesome paring knives from Pampered Chef and I love them. I also have some Norwex face clothes that I couldn’t live without. If you have found something that is practical, that you love, others on your list might love it, too. Practical gifts are ok if you know your audience. My sister in law doesn’t expect a romantic gift from me (like my spouse might!), but enjoys cooking, so she might love a new knife. Other items that might fall into this category are great books, cosmetics/face creams, tools and of course kitchen gadgets.

6. Notecard Box: This is a fun gift, and becomes even less expensive if you gather cards on clearance throughout the year. Grab a shoebox or photo boxes work great and fill it with a variety of notecards. Thank you cards, sympathy cards, graduation and wedding cards all make great fillers. You can also add a nice pen and postage depending on your price point.

Great Faith Based Gifts

1. The Jesus Children’s Storybook Bible: The best children’s bible you will find (and adults will love reading it, too!), The Jesus Storybook Bible tells the story beneath all the stories in the Bible. At the center of the Story is a baby, the child upon whom everything will depend. Every story whispers his name. A Bible like no other, The Jesus Storybook Bible invites children to join in the greatest of all adventures, to discover for themselves that Jesus is at the center of God’s great story of salvation—and at the center of their Story too. ($10.50)

2. Questions for my Father: Finding the Man behind your dad: A really unique book to give the men in your life, “I had ample opportunity to ask Dad these questions when he was alive, but it seemed that a million reasons not to do so could always be found.” Every son should have a copy of Questions For My Father and ask his dad while he has the opportunity ($9.99).

3. Faith Based Note Cards: These Petals of Praise Rose Boxed Notecards are a well designed and thoughtful gift. Perfect for teachers, friends and family alike ($6.99).

4. “I can do everything through him” Zippered Journal: This Zipped Closure, Turquoise Flexcover Journa features inspirational Scripture on the subject of strength from Philippians 4:13, beautifully scripted in debossed text. There is an attached ribbon page marker. The journal cover is constructed of quality man-made material imported from Italy, with the look and feel of real leather ($12.90).

5. Conversation Starters for Husbands & Wives Cards: Conversation Starters for Husbands & Wives is a fun way couples can get to know one another again, and better. Each side has a question and an accompanying Scripture verse or quote that is sure to spark some lively conversation and lots of laughter. Learn more about your partner’s hopes, worries, dreams and joys with this fun resource ($7.99).

6. Apples to Apples Bible Addition: Expand your “core” knowledge of Christian history with this hilarious, award-winning game! Apples to Apples Bible Edition brings the award winning card and party game, Apples to Apples®, to the Christian community. Players will delight in the clever comparisons while expanding their knowledge of the Bible ($20.54).

7. For Girls Only! Devotions (ages 8-12): This For Girls Only! Devotional will help girls ages 8-12 apply biblical concepts to their daily lives. Each devotion is written and designed with today’s tween and her issues in mind. Using a Scripture as the theme, each devotion includes a modern-day story and several interactive exercises, including a To-Do list, a quiz, related Scriptures, and quotations that reinforce the lesson. Filled with whimsical and girl-centric art, this fun devotional will be hard for young girls to put down! ($7.46)

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Gift ideas that show REAL THOUGHT:

1. Digital Scrapbooks: Most of us have great intentions of scrapbooking or other creative ways of archiving our kids…but we get behind. Start a new tradition by creating an annual yearbook online. There are plenty of digital printing options (Walmart, Snapfish, Target and Walgreens just to name a few) and great deals this time of year.

2. Create a Recipe Book, Children’s Book or short novel: Are you a great cook? Do you hold all of the family recipes? Create a cookbook and give copies to everyone in your family. Or create a children’s book and personalize it with the kid’s names…or if you have a gift for writing or art…get published and give it as a gift!

3. Gift Certificate for a family photo shoot: We all want to have great family photos to remember all of the stages of life, but time gets away and it can be stressful. Whether it is a gift card to a Target photo studio or a private photographer, most families would love this gift.

When all ELSE FAILS:

1. Gift Cards: Gift cards often get a bad rap for being a “thoughtless” gift, but most young adults and teens don’t mind receiving them. If you have a difficult person on your list and are at a complete loss for what to get them, you can never go wrong with a gift card to Amazon, Target, Starbucks, a restaurant or their local mall.

2. Pajamagram: There’s nothing better than putting on a brand new pair of pajamas and crawling into bed! Send a friend or loved one (of any age!) a “Pajamagram” You select the size, style and pattern, add a special note, and decide when it will be delivered– more details HERE

3. Subscription Boxes: From books, to coffee, to handmade surprises there are a number of really awesome subscription boxes out there (the recipient receives a new gift box in the mail monthly or quarterly). You can find a great list of subscriptions boxes HERE.

4. Gifts For Teachers: If you are at a loss for what to get the teachers on your list, you NEED to read this “What Teachers REALLY want for Christmas (written by a teacher!)” (You might be surprised by the suggestions, and relieved!)

5. Air Plants & Terrariums: These are a new trend and are SO COOL, I can see why! Make a terrarium yourself, buy a kit, or purchase a completed one. These plants only need to be misted with water occasionally, so you don’t have to have a green thumb to keep them alive! Here is one supplier!

6. Penzey Spices Holiday Gift Box: I love, love, love these spices and this gift box is a steal at only $9.95! (One of the seasoning blends included is for frozen pizza, how fun is that!)

And remember…

Gift giving should actually be kind of fun…if you are feeling stressed about a certain person on your list, brainstorm ideas with friends, ask them what gifts they have received that they have loved or have given in the past that have been well received. And, give yourself a break…this can be a really STRESSFUL time of year…plan time for coffee with friends and date nights with your significant other.

We hope these ideas are helpful! WOULD YOU SHARE the BEST GIFTS you have given or received BELOW?

Happy Holidays!

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A few years ago, my husband was laid off from his job and we told our family that we wanted to opt out of gift exchanges. And we did. Given our financial circumstances it was gladly accepted.

And it was great! Less stress and LESS MONEY spent, but we still enjoyed time with our family and all still exchanged small little gifts, even though no one “had” to.

But now, a few years removed, with my husband once again employed, the gift exchanges have resumed.

So now, how do we tell our family we want out again without a good excuse? Here’s how to get started:

1) Work out the WHY. Possible reasons to opt out include:

a) Financial: Job loss, cut hours or lay-offs are all options. For us, we are working on paying off debt, and would like to funnel as much of our resources towards that as possible. You may not want to divulge this to your family, but the following options will likely resonate with you as well.

b) Combating Consumerism: Tired of trying to buy and give happiness? Most people can relate to this at some level. Have your family gift exchanges turned into this? — I tell you what to buy me and you tell me what to buy you, wrap, exchange, unwrap…I could have just bought the thing I wanted, in the color I actually wanted and skipped a bunch of steps in between.

c) Remembering the REAL reason for the season: Gifts are an important part of most Christmas traditions regardless of your specific denomination, and that is OK! Gifts aren’t bad, but the stress they cause and the need for MORE can become problematic. Whether you’re trying to teach your kids or want to be reminded yourselves, finding ways to focus on the true reason for the season can be rewarding.

d) Helping a family in need: Maybe you have friends or family who are adopting, have suffered a serious illness or have lost a job themselves. Donating money that would have otherwise been reserved for gifts can be a noble alternative.

WHAT TO SAY:

“Thanks for inviting me to exchange gifts, however, my husband and I decided that we’re only exchanging gifts with immediate family this year.”

“I’ve always enjoyed exchanging gifts with you all, the {insert past gift here} you gave me last year has been great, I use it all the time. But I was thinking, how about this year we all just go out to lunch together instead of exchanging gifts. After all, time with you is the best gift of all!”

“We were wondering if we could start a new tradition this year? Instead of doing a traditional gift exchange, could we do {insert alternative here), we think it would be a lot of fun!”

2) Decide ahead of time what Gift Exchange exceptions you will make:

While I personally wouldn’t have a problem cutting out every single gift exchange, it is important to remember that gift giving is important to many people. It would not be fair to ask my mom to not by our children gifts. She is a nana, and it is her right :) It is ok, though, to help guide gift givers. We ask that they give our girls activities to do and for our little guy, we ask for practical things that we need for him. They won’t always adhere 100%, but again, that’s ok!

We’ve also decided that while we want to opt out of sibling gift exchanges, we still want to buy gifts for our parents. For us, it is a way of honoring them and thanking them for all that they have done for us. It’s ok to make exceptions to the rules :)

3) Offer Gift Exchange alternatives:

Before presenting this to your friends, family and co-workers, it is wise to have a few viable alternatives. They could include:

a) Spending time together: Go to a movie, play games, watch old home movies and flip through photo albums, build gingerbread houses together, bake something that reminds you of childhood.

b) Gifts just for kids: For me, watching my kids open gifts on Christmas is enough of a present for me, most families don’t mind skipping adult gifts as long as they can still experience it through children’s eyes.

You can also ask that friends and family gift your kids with an “experience” (like a trip to the movies or zoo)…this is best if they wrap a small token (theater box of candy or small stuffed animal) with a note or certificate stating what the experience will be.

c) Homemade Christmas: With Pinterest, there is no excuse not to find the perfect DIY gift for anyone!

d) Start a new tradition: decorate ornaments together, dress up and take pictures, scrapbook, make a meal to deliver to another family or person who is alone on the Holiday.

Or decide on an alternative gift exchange:

 e) Favorite things exchange: Set a price limit and each participant brings one of their favorite things. Ideas include coffee, cosmetics, sweet treats, scarves, socks and anything else you couldn’t imagine living without!

f) Exchange services: Each participant makes a certificate for a service they can offer. Ideas include: babysitting, mechanical work, sewing, computer services, home organization, cooking, baking, haircuts, handyman jobs or painting…everyone has something they are good at!

g) Book exchange: Everyone brings a favorite book to exchange (you decide if you get them back, continue to rotate them, or just keep the new one you received).

h) Cookie exchange: This can be a great alternative to traditional office exchanges.

i) Meal exchange: Another great exchange to do at work. Everyone is short on time during the holidays. Each person makes two of the same meal for the exchange (to cut down on prep time) and then you get to bring two different meals home. Make sure to clarify food allergies ahead of time.

j) Re-gift exchange: The rule for this is that you can’t buy anything, but rather find something at home to re-gift…great way to get rid of nice things that you just don’t use.

k) White Elephant or $1 limit: Everyone is familiar with this one!

l) Game exchange: Each family brings their favorite game, exchange and then play!

m) Gift card exchange: Set a limit and bring a gift card to one of your favorite places. You can also set a theme, like restaurants, if you have an especially diverse group.

4) Remember, that despite how your friends and family respond…

…you do have the right to make this decision; it isn’t wrong or selfish and you aren’t a scrooge!

You’ll probably need to expect some push back from at least a few people, but that’s ok, they can have to their opinion, too. Some people show love through gifts (like my sister Diana), so going cold turkey might really disappoint them and detract from their experience. Suggesting one of the alternatives above might be a better option.

And at the end of the day, remember, we’ll never make everyone happy, but it is important to do what is best for our family.

Have you opted out of gift exchanges before? How did it go? Did you do something else instead? Please share below!

>>If you have another minute, you don’t want to miss our most popular post right now: What Teachers REALLY want for Christmas (written by a teacher!)