I’m really hoping for a bug hotel and some birdhouses. I’ve been hinting about it, but I think it’s going to be a miss again.
Dallas said:
I’m really hoping for a bug hotel and some birdhouses. I’ve been hinting about it, but I think it’s going to be a miss again.
Same here. I usually end up making or buying them for myself. Have you seen the bee hotels? They look interesting.
While not a gift in itself, I have some thoughts on gift presentation and wrapping.
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Don’t wrap it. This option may not be the most exciting, but it produces the least waste and is very straightforward. You can easily slide most gifts into a bag and ask the recipient to turn around while you take it out. If you have kids and do the whole Santa thing, hiding gifts until after they go to bed on Christmas Eve is a breeze. My parents took it a step further by unboxing anything that required it to ensure it worked.
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If wrapping is necessary (like for an office gift exchange), use items that would typically be tossed or recycled. I’d save nicer grocery flyers that I couldn’t stop receiving and use those as wrapping. A multitude of materials works well as gift wrap; just be cautious with the tape and make sure the wrapping can be reused or recycled. Either way, reusing is better than tossing something after one use.
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Use reusable bags to wrap gifts. An old gift bag works, or you can make the bag part of the gift. I keep a stash of gift bags from others that I pull from whenever I need them. For a useful alternative, you can put the gift in a reusable grocery bag or tote. Just ensure they are items the recipient would genuinely use. I wouldn’t want to buy an extra gift bag just for the sake of wrapping if I already have something suitable available.
I haven’t bought wrapping paper or bags in years. When I needed to wrap gifts, I’ve reused gift bags, old shopping bags, flyers, newspapers, and packing paper from moving. I even reused the tape from that last one. There’s no need to generate more waste, and most people enjoy my creative ways of wrapping gifts in items that would otherwise be trash.
@Bin
Those are good ideas about wrapping paper. Stuffing things directly into stockings is a clever way to hide gifts too.
Have you found any biodegradable wrapping paper? I admire a nicely wrapped gift, but I haven’t seen any eco-friendly options.
@Chance
Stockings are a great idea. I just don’t have any at the moment.
I haven’t come across biodegradable wrapping paper, but I also haven’t searched for it since I tend to have bags or paper available. I can create nice gifts using what I have, though it does take practice. For instance, check out this packing paper gift I wrapped: Packing paper gift wrap - Album on Imgur
You could make a brown box look better by doodling on it with markers.
I believe it’s more eco-friendly to reuse what you possess before tossing it rather than purchasing new items claimed to be better for the planet. If I ever stop getting junk mail and run out of gift bags, I will definitely search for sustainable wrapping paper. I wonder if tissue paper is better for the environment? It may not be biodegradable, but it seems like it could break down faster.
Growing up, finding gifts for our extended family (my grandparents, four aunts, four uncles, and loads of cousins) was tough. We decided to rent a floor of a hotel with an indoor pool and spend a night together about two weeks before Christmas. Everyone brought a dish for potluck, and we had a blast in the swimming area playing card games and eating together.
We started this tradition back when I was in grade school, and it was fun for every age. As my cousins grew up and began having children, the younger ones played together.
The last time we did this, I was in my 30s. Those are some of my favorite family moments, and we didn’t have to exchange gifts. Just being together was special. It worked well since all of us lived within three hours of each other.
@Jude
That’s such a nice idea! My family is so large that we’ve never exchanged gifts with aunts, uncles, or cousins. I only give gifts to my immediate family, which helps cut down on the holiday excess.
Call their partner or roommate to find out what the person wants or needs. Think about how much you want to spend—are you getting this someone a $300 or $30 gift? For $30, consumables like a basket of favorite sweets or snacks would be great.
Do you have any gift ideas for kids? I’m particularly looking for gifts for my younger brothers aged 13 and 9 who live in Michigan. I was planning to get them a board game or something to enjoy with my mom, but I’m seeing all these games that seem complicated. I wonder if my brothers would be up for learning them.
@Dez
I think games are a great idea. You could also consider used games, video games, or books to keep it low waste. Usually, video game stores have a good selection of quality used items.
Other ideas include tokens for a local arcade (and take them there if possible), movie tickets, paintball or laser tag vouchers, escape room experiences, or tickets to college or local sports games (my younger brother enjoys college hockey games). You could also include candy and snacks.
@Chance
I live about 15 hours away, so I won’t be able to take them to the arcade. But I love your idea for hockey games because my younger brother ADORES hockey! I think I’ll also get them the Star Wars Clue game since I enjoyed Clue a lot when I was younger. Thanks a bunch!
Generally, I go with consumables. We make a lot of homemade peanut brittle, which is perfect to have ready for gatherings.
I also enjoy thrifting, so I keep an eye out for things my family and friends might appreciate. It helps that many people in my family are frugal, as they find meaning in the stories behind items. My dad was actually upset when I gave him a pair of Levi’s, thinking I bought them brand new because they were in such good condition. He was thrilled when I told him it only cost $6.
*It’s err, not air, lol
I prefer consumables and experiences. I do a lot of things like baked goods, homemade sauces, and spice mixes. There’s a mulling spice mix I made previously that people keep asking me to recreate, so I guess it was a hit!
For people I really know, I also give books, vinyl records, concert tickets, lift tickets, or quality practical items. For instance, my mom loves nice wool socks, so I got my brother a quality multitool before his first journey at sea.
@Jay
Oh lift tickets are a great idea!
When I’m giving ‘stuff,’ I want it to bring people together. We’re gifting my sibling a board game, and my parents and in-laws are getting custom puzzles featuring the grandkids. The puzzles will include pieces the kids can help assemble, so they’ll love it too. It’s still a physical gift, but it encourages quality time together rather than electronic entertainment. Plus, I figure the resources used for these items are minimal.
The parents will also be receiving consumables, like a nice bottle of local whiskey.
Additionally, charitable donations and books are popular choices in my family. It’s hard to go wrong with those options.
You might consider gifting plants or plant accessories! Here’s some inspiration:
https://youtu.be/drYBOtGZGDQ
Gifting plants is a fun way to switch it up from typical gifts, plus they are beautiful and clean the air! It could encourage a positive hobby as well.
I had a unique experience with a start-up art company called Tellinga. They turn personal stories into special gifts that are sent through traditional mail regularly. Here’s how it works:
-First, choose how long you want the story (one day, one week, two weeks, or one month), the rating, and genre.
-Next, upload a photo of whoever you want to feature in the story (could be a partner, friend, or family member).
-Then add a description of the type of story you want. You can write a completely fictional story or share a fond memory. Your story can be as unique as you want it to be. -After they receive the request, Tellinga assigns professional artists to start creating your story.
-A few days later, the person receiving the story will begin to get individual hand-drawn images in the mail every other day until the package is complete!
For the framed photos idea, consider going the extra step and turning a photo into a painting, then frame it for their walls. This can add more richness and character than just regular photographs, don’t you think?
My sister offers custom paintings that can be shipped globally, if that sparks your interest.
@Paden
I wouldn’t do that since I don’t presume to know where they want their photos. Most are picky about wall decor and may not have extra space for something that may not fit their style.
Edit: I see now that your comment was mainly promoting your business. This forum isn’t really the right place for that.
@Chance
Sorry you took it that way. Good luck in your search!