The Perfect Gift
It’s the holiday season, and the retail establishments are in working hard to get you to buy their stuff. As part of the Christmas buying frenzy, most of us succumb to the temptation and purchase foreign-made items that will just add to your friends’ and family’s clutter – items they don’t need, don’t want, and will not use. Think especially of gift challenges for seniors and others with limited space. This year, why not reconsider your gift-selecting practices and choose useful, non-cluttering gifts that will be consumed and enjoyed. While you are at it, think about buying local to help your local economy. When you purchase local services, you are putting someone to work. Consider some of these useful, non-cluttering gift ideas this Christmas season!
- Gift certificate to a local hair salon (Everyone can use haircuts!)
- Handmade soaps and lotions from local craftspeople (A special treat!)
- Photography session for lasting memories (Save the digital versions.)
- Gym membership or personal fitness coach for someone wanting to improve their health
- Massage (Can never have enough.)
- Tuition for adult education or college classes
- Gift certificate for car detailing
- Oil change
- Gift certificate for a car wash – or wash the car yourself
- Gift certificate for lawn mowing or home maintenance (Great for seniors!)
- Gift certificate for a meal or two at a locally-owned restaurant
- Wine from a local winery
- Diabetic-approved candies or other special diet items
- Grocery store gift card (EVERYONE can use this!)
- In-home dinner party with a private chef
- Online magazine subscriptions
- Online Consumer Reports subscription
- Housecleaning (Always appreciated.)
- Carpet cleaning
- Computer tune-up from a local business
- Tickets to concerts with local performers
- Gift certificate for a professional organizer’s time to help with decluttering and organizing
- Postage stamps from USPS or personalized postage stamps (Check out stamps.com or zazzle.com.)
- Tickets for a trip
- Charitable contribution (The parents of a nephew with lymphoma made donations to the Ronald McDonald House as everyone’s gift.)
- The gift of your time – to help around the house, repairs, babysitting, etc.
The list is endless, and I’m sure that with a little thought, you will come up with the perfect useful, non-cluttering, locally-produced gifts for your loved ones. Also, check out your local Groupon, Morgan’s Deals or Living Social websites for deeply discounted local products and services.
Have a wonderful, organized, and stress-free holiday season!
Ho! Ho! Ho!
