The season of gifts is upon us. If you are someone who practices or has just ventured into the world of simple living, then the notion of giving and receiving gifts can seem to be a little daunting. This is especially true if you are a minimalist. But fret not. There are ways in which you can handle gift-giving efficiently while maintaining your simple living practices.
I have always loved giving gifts more than receiving them. There is a certain joy in selecting a present carefully and then wrapping it up prettily. And when that gift is given to a near and dear one, the smile it brings is worth all the effort. But after I started practicing simple living and minimalism, there was a shift in how I started looking at gifts. I still loved giving and getting gifts, it’s just that my ideas have changed now.
Today I shall share with you how I practice gift-giving and receiving while living simply.
Accept the gifts in your life with gratitude
Even before changing how you do things, it is important to be aware of the good fortune of just being able to have gifts in our lives. There are so many people across the globe who do not have the luxury of giving or receiving any gifts. And so, despite the fact that materials gifts do not resonate with the minimalism lifestyle and can result in clutter, show gratitude towards them.
For every little thing that I receive from someone or I give, I am thankful. I know that the pleasure of tearing open a cute wrapping paper is denied to many.
Opt for experiential gifts over material possessions
This is one of the most effective ways to deal with gifts as a minimalist or simple living enthusiast. A gift does not necessarily have to be a material thing. Experiences make great alternatives.
Here are some ideas to that end.
- Book a vacation with the family for the holidays. Instead of getting toys, your kids can have fun experiences as a Christmas present and the memories will stay forever.
- Give out gift cards for a day at a spa or a meal at a favorite restaurant. These are easy choices and the receiver will enjoy them immensely.
- Buy tickets to a concert or a sporting event in lieu of a physical gift for your teenager and they will think that you are the coolest parent ever.
There so many options when it comes to gifting experiences. Get creative and see how you make people happy.
Make space for new things
When you know that you cannot avoid the physical gifts, then prepare for them beforehand. A great way to do so is by decluttering and making space for things. A quick pre-Christmas cleaning session or one before a birthday is an effective way to tackle the situation.
A lot of times we feel overwhelmed with things when we do not know where to store them properly. At least I know that happens to me. Decluttering beforehand is thus a great way to prepare yourself from having any anxiety later.
Ask before gifting
A lot of times we buy gifts that we think the person receiving it will love. However, when we do not know that person well enough, this can pose a problem. To make gift-giving especially efficient, I firmly believe in asking before I try guessing what the person will like. This makes the process not only easier but also I end up gifting something that is actually coveted.
Request essentials if possible
Keeping in line with the motto of “ask before gifting”, I try to have a practical list ready when my close ones ask me what do I want as a gift. For a long time, I used to answer with the modest “whatever you want to give”. Later I realized that I wasn’t doing anybody a favor by saying that. So now, whenever faced with the question, I tell people about things that I really need or am looking for. Of course, all this has to be within reasonable limits. You cannot ask for expensive or ridiculous things.
Ever since I have started doing this, I have been receiving gifts that I need in my life and that makes everyone happy in the end.
To Sum Up
The joy of gifting is as real as the pleasure of getting a gift. However, many people undergo so much stress, especially during the holiday season. I believe that with a little bit of planning and some changes in how we do certain things, it is absolutely possible to look at gifts in a new light. After all, something that is supposed to bring happiness should never become a cause for concern ever.
So, this season, I wish you all the happiness of giving and receiving gifts.
Till then, peace.
Related Reads
Do you have any related experience or story to tell? Please share in the comments below. I would love to hear from you.
