Can’t find perfect gift? Here are some ideas
Published 1:17 pm Friday, December 14, 2007
Perhaps you’re still searching for the perfect holiday gift for that tough-to-buy-for person on your list. Or maybe you’re of the mind that the holidays are becoming far too commercial and you’re ready to forget the whole mess and cross everyone off the list this year.
For those struggling with the over-the-top nature of this holiday season, we’d like to suggest a number of non-traditional gift-giving alternatives to the seemingly obligatory — and often daunting — visit to the local shopping mall.
One option is to take a page from the folks at the King County Solid Waste Division, who are encouraging residents to give experiences rather than “stuff” this year. Instead of creating a massive amount of consumer waste composed of boxes, wrapping paper, ribbon and tape, they’d like to suggest giving gift certificates for activities, events or experiences that the recipient can enjoy throughout the year. Check out their Web site at www.wastefreeholidays.com for ideas and discount opportunities. While the list consists primarily of King County and South Sound vendors, it’s the perfect place to pick up a little inspiration that’s easily transferable to a local shopping effort.
If you’re hoping to leverage your gift to improve the world, there are loads of worthy charities to support in honor of someone on your list. A few clicks will take you to a comprehensive catalog of gift giving options offered by World Vision, ranging from educational support for schools to personal care necessities for needy children in New York. If your budget is tight, you could consider purchasing a share in a healthy pig, a deep well or a Peruvian alpaca. In addition, there are a number of worthy charity efforts a lot closer to home that would always welcome your support.
Who’s to say you have to spend money to purchase a gift at all? An experience could also be an IOU for a long walk, a batch of cookies, a cup of coffee and a nice visit or some extra help in the yard next summer. It’s the personal and thoughtful gifts from the heart (rather than the pocketbook) that often mean the most, particularly to those who seemly already have everything.
Whether you’re choosing to reduce holiday waste or improve the world this year, you have loads of options. Don’t let a case of the “bah humbugs” stop you from spreading a little holiday cheer.
