Resourceful Gift Giving

It's that time of year when we are looking for the perfect holiday gifts for our family and friends.  Listed below are a few guidelines I try to follow to make gift-giving meaningful and resourceful.

Give gifts of experience rather than stuff:

• Tickets to an event such as a concert, sporting event, etc.
• Gift Certificates for a massage, pedicure, or spa
• Gift certificate to a local restaurant
• Admission to the ice rink, zoo, aquarium, art museum, play or a movie.
• Paid lessons for music, yoga, dancing, cooking classes, etc.

Thoughtful gift purchasing:

• Durability: look at what the product is made of (plastic vs. metal vs. wood)
• Origin: Is the item made in the USA?
• Practicality: How many candles and snow globes does a person really need?  Give something they could use.
• Wear: Not everything has to be purchased brand-new

Handmade Gifts (Made by you or someone else):

• Art
• Pottery
• Sewing
• Baked, canned or pickled gifts
• Homemade Soap

Wrapping Gifts:

• Reuse gift bags, ribbons, and bows from previous years
• Reuse holiday boxes that are already printed with decorations and don't need wrapping paper. 
• Put your gift in a reusable cloth bag to encourage others to use cloth bags when they go shopping.