A conversation about gifts

Most of us get the warm fuzzies by showing our love and affection for our near and dear ones with the giving of gifts.

However, the shopping craze that has become synonymous with Christmas, not to mention the rest of the over consumption that often times spins around the holidays, leaves many of us exhausted and downright tapped out.

It also often leaves us knee deep in a pile of waste — physically and financially.

Perhaps it’s time for something simpler, less consumer driven, more intentional, so that we truly do bring joy to those we love and appreciate, including ourselves.

Consider this.

Before you buy a bunch of stuff this year for those cherished loved ones, ask them first if they even want a whole bunch of stuff this season. Or, perhaps pitch the idea of a family plan to only buy gifts for the kids or the gift of an experience.

Why not limit gift giving to something more manageable by drawing names, instead of gifts for everyone, or choose to volunteer with family and friends instead, in support of a cherished cause.

If any of the above resonates with you, start the conversation. Often that’s the hardest part —approaching your family with a new idea. If not now, perhaps in time for next years’ holiday swirl.

Quite likely someone in your circle will appreciate it. And, to get things rolling, you could always ask for a change to what you  receive, perhaps no gifts at all, or a donation to a charity in your name instead.

The possibilities are endless.

While you are searching for alternate gifting ideas, why not check out the ample lists of experiences over stuff to treat your loved ones.

You can find all kinds of fun ideas at www.regionaldistrict.com/makememories.

Here are just a few to get you started.

• Organize a family skate
• Re gift a favourite novel or board game
• Treat someone you love to a live performance, sporting event, theatre tickets, a trip to the  spa
• Offer your dog walking or cat sitting services
• Sign someone up for a cooking class, or art class
• Teach them to tango, line dance, samba
• Host an amazing dinner for all your friends

Thoughtful gift giving can dramatically reduce the amount of packaging and wrapping that accumulates and can encourage opportunities for us to create new holiday traditions for years to come.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.