Starr Struck's Holiday {No} Gift Guide

12/3/2013

Recently, I've been fighting dual urges.

The first, to create a bunch of gift guides for you--a curated Etsy Gift Guide, a "For the Yogi" gift guide, a collection of my favorite art prints from around the web--and the second, to reject gift-giving altogether and write a post about how we should all decide to kick materialism to the curb and give no gifts this year.

These are very conflicting urges. I'm not sure what to do.

I love picking out gifts for people, I love giving special, thoughtful, creative gifts, and I love making things for loved ones, but I also hate spending money, hate spending all of my time and energy shopping when I'm really busy and would rather be doing other things (ugh), and hate the idea of this time of year becoming all about stuff instead of relationships.

Again, part of me wants to run for the hills and become a hippie nomad who lives off of the land, and the other part of me wants to run amok in the stores, credit card in-hand, buying everything I see. Sigh.

Obviously, I still haven't decided where I want to go with this, so today, I've decided to give in to urge #2, and talk about how to reject gifts and still be a part of society.

Therefore, if I were to decide to make it a no-gift year this year (it's not too late and I still may do this!), then I would go about it in the following way:

Step #1: Email all friends/family and tell them that I am not going to be participating in gift-giving this year. Tell them that it is partly due to my desire to bow out of our materialistic culture, and partly because I want to save us all time, energy, and money, Ask them not to give me gifts*, and tell them I won't be getting them gifts. *The only issue I see here is that I really want a sodastream and have already asked my mom to get me one ;)

Step #2: Ask them, instead, if we can exchange heartfelt holiday cards, spend an afternoon together (even if it's just over Google Hangout or Facetime), or plan something together for the New Year (for instance, a trip to see each other!). Tell them I'd rather use the time and money that we'd use shopping on an experience together (or if necessary, apart), instead.

Step #3: Sit by the fire, drink a cup of tea, and listen to Christmas music while enjoying the chance to relax, instead of fighting the holiday rush.

What do you think? Do you want to do this with me (if I decide to do it)? People who usually receive gifts from me-- what do you think? Would you rather I just post a couple of creative gift guides and leave all of this alone? Be honest...

Either way--whether I decide to go the non-gift-route or not--I will probably give in and still post a gift guide or two before the holiday season is over (the urge is so strong!). But, I promise that if I do, they will consist only of super creative, useful, handmade, and/or eco-friendly products.

Happy December, everyone! I hope you're feeling less conflicted than I am ;)

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Marie link

12/2/2013 10:39:52 pm

Oh I'm totally with you on this. We're not giving any gifts this year and I don't even have the time or energy to do cards (I usually do cards for Christmas). I'm just hoping for some down time. And I love your idea of spending time together with loved ones either in person or by skype/hangout.

The one thing I am giving 4 close couple friends is a 4 x 6 framed picture of each couple which I took at some point during the year. Super cheap and easy! Shhh don't tell them!

Mary Catherine

12/3/2013 08:10:10 pm

Great idea, Marie! Love the photograph concept (perfect for other photogs who might read the blog!). I'm skipping cards this year, too. Sometimes you just need more time to relax.

xoxo

Laura

12/2/2013 10:52:07 pm

WOW, that is one nice ear!!
Love this post. Emailing you today about gift ideas:)
xoxo

12/3/2013 08:10:31 pm

Prettiest ear I've ever painted ;)

Kenna link

12/2/2013 11:18:04 pm

My immediate family made a pact several years ago to not do physical gifts at Christmas. But we still wanted to do some sort of Christmas morning ritual. The first year we wrote haikus for each person and had a poetry reading. Best. Christmas. Ever. So much more meaningful than opening presents! We've had a different theme/guideline every year. The of my other favorites was just plain storytelling - pick a favorite memory with the person and share. It's really been amazing and brought our family closer together.

We don't have a theme for this year yet. I had thought about doing alternative gifts with charities, but that comes back down to money, which we are kind of trying to avoid (but could be fun). If you have any ideas let me know!

12/3/2013 08:11:13 pm

These are all FABULOUS ideas, Kenna! Love the haiku and memory concepts. Thanks for sharing!

Tara B.

12/3/2013 01:21:19 am

I love this! I can agree with a lot of what you wrote as well. We still get gifts for our little nieces and nephews of course (and all of their birthdays happen to fall in November, December, or January as well...lol) but we prefer doing something experiential/meaningful for the adults. I often tell friends that it would mean a lot more to me to have them join me for something fun than to have a physical gift.
I love your ideas!

12/3/2013 08:12:10 pm

You bring up a great point that I forgot to address--little kids! Yes, I should have said that kids still need presents. It's just a part of Christmas :)

Megan

12/3/2013 02:14:08 am

I feel the dilemma you are presenting here! It's so tough... I am torn, and will probably give in and get gifts for people... I'll blame it on society and the expectations our culture sets, but there is a part of me that really LOVES it. My plan is to do some homemade gift-making and incorporate that into each gift and keep my gift-giving circle small and my budget tight. It's such a struggle.

12/3/2013 08:13:17 pm

I TOTALLY feel you, Megan, and am glad that you can relate. This is why it's so hard! I love gift-giving, too, so it's sad to think about not doing it. LOVE the homemade gift concept and want to stick with that, too...

Denise link

12/3/2013 05:06:39 pm

I'm not a big gift giver. Of course, the nieces and nephews get something but the adults in the family exchange names, so we buy one gift. My friends' kids get something small, French chocolate, a handmade necklace, mini blocks. It's not about giving something expensive, it's about letting people know I was thinking of them (and miss them since I'm so far away). Last year, the locals got pancake mix and maple syrup (in Paris where there is no Bisquick and maple syrup is from Canada) and this year everyone is getting an inexpensive mug with a sachet of homemade hot cocoa mix. I really enjoy thinking of and creating the homemade gifts every year, so it doesn't feel like a chore, and I don't have to fight the crowds at the department stores.

12/3/2013 08:15:30 pm

Thanks for adding these thoughts to the conversation, Denise. You're right, creating homemade gifts can be wonderful, and you're right that it's a great feeling when you give someone something special that shows you were thinking of them. I guess one thing it's important to note is that there is a difference between buying someone a generic sweater from macys vs. a thoughtful, homemade (or unique) gift that took time and is personalized.

thanks for your comment!

xo

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