As I write about alternative gifts, I want people to know that buying gifts is not the problem. It is our attitude of more is better that is the problem. As a society, we think the dollar amount on the item shows how much we love someone. The idea behind alternative gift giving is not being a scrooge or miserly. If that is what we get out of it then we have missed the point. Alternative gift giving is about the attitude. Refusing to buy into the fallacy that more is better and will show how much I love you. This year, don't max out those credit cards. Better yet, don't even use those credit cards. This year set a reasonable budget and think of a gift or gifts that the person will really enjoy or appreciate. Here are some more ideas that my sustainable living class came up with the other week.
-Divide out those bulbs or special plants. Plant them in a pretty pot so they will flower around Christmas.
-Have a friend or family member who wants to learn a new skill that you know. Give them a gift certificate for free lessons wrapped up with the materials they need to get started. (knitting/crocheting, woodworking, canning, piano lessons, etc)
-Buy locally made arts and crafts, home cooked goods, soaps, jewelry from a local artisan as a gift
-Buy a fair trade item that someone needs or would enjoy.
-Make a family game night basket for the whole family include board games, snack items and drinks.
-If you can, give homemade jams and jellies along with a loaf of homemade bread to enjoy it on. Give a gift basket with some of your salsas, chips and maybe a pretty bowl to serve it in.
These will hopefully get you started. Please post comments with any other suggestions you have.
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