During the holiday season, thousands of advertisements are thrown at us. They all tell us to do one thing: Buy stuff.
Commercialism has taken over the holiday season, pulling us this way and that when it comes to purchasing gifts. Some ads tell us to put things on layaway, and some tell us to take things home now since there’s a sale. Whether your recipient will even like the gift is not their concern. These companies simply want your money.
Now, I am not saying that buying gifts at a store is bad. If what your friend, family member, or partner is dying for comes from a store, then buy it for them! But commercialism has definitely muddled our idea of gift giving, as well as American values in general. In the U.S., having more stuff seems to equate with having more success. The average American home has around 300,000 items in it, which is enough to make one’s head spin. By questioning our society’s values and turning to minimalism when giving during the holiday season, gifts can take on a new, personal meaning.
Minimalism in gift-giving
You may think you have to buy everyone you know a brand-new gift, but you can make them something or give them an experience instead. If you are a super busy person, your gift to a friend could be a promise to go out to dinner together. What better gift to give someone than your time?
The concept of minimalism emphasizes owning less things, as experiences are most valuable. When it comes to memories, experiences always outlive material possessions. So, instead of dreading shopping for a gift for a loved one, get creative! There are so many ways to show you’re thinking of someone that doesn’t involve choosing between a thousand lotions at Bath & Body Works (unless that is what they’re wishing for, in which case, go for it!). Here are a few things I have come up with if you want to try and shift focus from material goods to experiences when gift giving this year.
1. Give them a massage voucher
A massage is an relaxing experience that can be enjoyed by all. Anyone who you give this to will be grateful for the little escape. If this is out of your price range, do an at-home spa day with them! There are plenty of face mask and lip balm recipes online that you can make together. You could even take turns giving each other shoulder massages while watching a movie!
2. Make them a playlist
Chances are you have a friend who loves music. Why not make them a playlist? Put it on a CD or share it with them over Spotify. They will enjoy singing along loudly in the car or doing little dance moves on the train, and all the while they’ll be thinking of you and your sweet gift. When together, jamming out to the playlist is an experience you will both always cherish.
3. Write them something
If you’re into poetry, write your loved one a book of poems. It could be poems about memories you share, qualities you like about them, or anything that would show them how much you value them. If your loved one often gets down on themselves, write them uplifting poetry to boost their confidence on a bad day. If you aren’t a poet, write them a book of your favorite memories, or little short stories. The experience of reading something you personally wrote for them is unforgettable.
4. Make a photo book
If you are not a writer whatsoever, make your loved one a photo book. Websites like Shutterfly make it extremely simple to create a custom book full of pictures. It will be fun to sort through old photos of you and your loved one(s) to put in the book, and they will enjoy looking at the experiences you’ve shared. It’s a win-win!
5. Make them something else they’d enjoy
If you are more handy, build them something. If you enjoy pottery, give the potter’s wheel a go and see what you can create for them. If you enjoy crafts, Pinterest has thousands of ideas. If they love food, use Buzzfeed Tasty to whip them up a new dish (or make an old, favorite recipe instead!)
Minimalism in gift-receiving
Gifts bought from stores are not, not meaningful, but an experience is always more memorable. Now, you may be wondering what to do if you receive material goods for the holidays that you have no use for. I’m here to tell you that it’s okay to give these things away. When someone gives you a gift, the intention is for that object to make you happy. With minimalism, if an object does not serve a purpose, then it should be given away. If the gift from your loved one does not make you happy, then it is not serving its purpose.
Giving the gift away may seem like a waste, but someone else may find great joy in it. Shelters for families, runaway women, the homeless, and many others are always looking for donations, as they know someone less fortunate will be very happy with the gift that did not serve its purpose for you. Donating the gift is beneficial because someone else’s holidays will be made a little bit better, and you will feel content since someone else will enjoy it. And because you will not have to shove the gift in the back of your closet, never to be used again.
If you don’t feel comfortable giving a present away, you can always privately exchange the gift (with a receipt) for something else that brings you joy. Do not feel guilty for doing this. It can be hard to not feel bad, but keep minimalism in mind – if the gift is not serving its purpose of making you happy, then why keep it? The person who gave you the gift wants to make you happy, and they chose to do so through that object. They may not know what exactly brings you joy, and that is okay. It is their thought that counts.
Exchanging a gift may make you feel uncomfortable, which is completely understandable. To avoid this altogether, make a list of holiday wishes. Do not think of yourself as greedy, but instead as specific. If your loved ones know exactly what will make you happy, there will be no confusion. They may not know everything that interests you, and a list can give them better insight!
When it comes down to it, gifts are a way to show we care about others. Corporations have taken this concept and commercialized it, making people believe they need to buy dozens of items for loved ones. Now, if the gift recipient wants something from a store, then by all means, buy it for them! But do take time to reflect on our society’s values and question if material goods are the best things to give people. Before buying a gift for someone, ask yourself: Will this object serve its purpose for them? If you aren’t confident in your answer, try thinking or reading about minimalism. Shifting your focus from material possessions to experiences this holiday season could forever change the way you give gifts. After all, memories are something you can never give away.
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