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This gift giving guide will be a little too late for those who celebrate Hanukkah, but there are still a few more days until Christmas for those who celebrate Christmas. I know for me, Christmas seemed to sneak up on me this year. First, we usually put up our Christmas decorations the day after Thanksgiving. This year we were a little behind at getting our decorations up due to our schedules. Then at the beginning of December I was on away at a conference for work. Now that I’ve finally settled back into a regular routine, it’s definitely starting to feel more like the holidays!

So here’s my view on gifts during the holiday season. It’s consumerism at it’s finest. And it starts the day of Thanksgiving and lasts until December 25th. Then in January, we are left to assess the damage and lick our wounds because we got carried away…again!

I know that I prefer to not receive gifts that I don’t want or need, as I get overwhelmed at trying to find a place for the items that may or may not get used. Usually if I need something, I’ve spent a ton of time researching it, and therefore will just buy it for myself throughout the year. It’s not that I’m not grateful for being thought of during the holiday season, it’s just that my priorities have shifted as I’ve aged. The child who once wanted all the toys on TV for Christmas now just wants to spend time chatting with family over a good meal during the holidays.

That being said, I know how fun it is to go shopping for your loved ones. It’s hard to say, “I really don’t need anything, but I’ll go shopping for items you want or need.” Your family will feel obligated to get you something. Both my family and the hub’s family still exchange gifts, so I’ll usually make a list of things that we need and haven’t bought or things we do often. For example, this year on the list was gift cards for groceries, restaurants, movie tickets, and books (always books!). I’ll also request a list from them of items they need or want. I’m not entirely against consumerism, as I’m not perfect. I still go out on Black Friday, just late morning with a very targeted list. We all consume, just some consume at very different rates than others. I know that I’ve cut back a ton on buying gifts as I’ve tried to simplify my life and have become more aware of the impact consumerism has on the environment.

Below, I’ve put together a list of many alternative Christmas gifts that are great to give those who have everything or who don’t provide a specific list, or for those of you who are completely against buying material possessions for the sake of gift giving. Many are consumable or experience-oriented gifts, but since I’m not completely opposed to gifting, there are a few unique items that for the right individual would make great gifts. 

Charity

There really are those individuals who genuinely have everything they need and in lieu of gifts would prefer you donate to one of their favorite charities. Don’t know which charity to give to? Check out the Hope Effect. It’s all about changing how the world cares for orphans by providing family-based solutions. 

Travel

I know many people who forgo gifts and instead will plan a vacation together during the year. For example, one family will pay for plane tickets and the other will pay for accommodations, etc. 

Bonus: For those who love charity and travel Operation Groundswell might be perfect! It’s an immersive travel experience that works with local organizations and charities to help them with community-requested projects.

Since travel can be quite expensive there are plenty of alternative gift options for the travel enthusiast which will keep your budget in check. Get this Zoppen Travel Passport Wallet which can hold boarding passes, credit cards, your ID, tickets, cell phone, money, keys, pens, and your passport. It also has Rfid protection as well.

Foodies

Coffee Subscription Service – For those who love trying new coffee. You can get started with as little as $19 per month. Beanbox allows you to choose between a sampler box or the coffee of the month and lets you pick your roast preference as well. They hand-pick small batch roasters out of Seattle and Portland areas and ship only freshly roasted coffee to ensure peak freshness. One can discover great new coffee delivered to their door. They also have one-time coffee experience boxes as well.

Ice-Cream Subscription Service – Try eCreamery’s 3 month flavor of the month club. You get 4 pints each month. If for some reason your friend or family doesn’t like the flavors that month, they can skip a month and their monthly usage will rollover. It never expires. If you’d like to create your own custom flavor for them to try, you can choose between 3 bases (sorbet, gelato, or ice cream), 1 flavor from 40 options, and up to 3 mix-ins!

Other Subscription Services – Does your family or friend not really love ice-cream or coffee, but absolutely love…(insert any other food)? Be sure to check out Goldbelly. They have everything from BBQ, cookies, bacon, pie, and cake subscriptions as well as many other food gifts. 

Cheese – Know someone who loves all cheese? Get them this Standing Stone Farms Complete DIY Cheese kit. Turn 25-30 gallons of milk into artisan cheese!

Spices – Have a cook in your life who makes amazing food? Put together a gift basket of their favorite spices and herbs they use regularly.

Hot Sauce Lovers – know someone who puts hot sauce on everything? Gift them Weak Knees Gochujang Sriracha Sauce. Fermented foods are all the rage right now, and this is no different. Fermented gochujang chili paste is what gives this sriracha sauce a savory kick!

Coffee Lovers – Buy the coffee lover in your life a french press or a cold brew coffee maker!

Tea Lovers – get them a grow your own herbal tea kit! They are sure to love enjoying their own herbs for tea. The kit includes chamomile, peppermint, and lemon balm. 

Classes

Many cities have local classes available to the community. The cost usually covers the supplies needed. Enroll  in a class with your spouse, friend, or family member and learn a skill together. Learn about gardening, make jewelry or try a cooking class. You can usually find a list of classes available online. 

Nothing local available? Try signing them up for an online class they would enjoy. Groupon usually has discounts for online classes such as event planning or discounts on in-person classes like dance classes, painting, or music lessons, etc.

Tickets

There are so many options in this category. It could be anything from movie tickets, a comedy or improv show, tickets to the theatre, theme park, sporting events, concerts or tickets to the museum. 

Escape Room

Does your family love some problem solving? Reserve a room and see how fast your family can complete the escape room challenge!

Exercise

Now you have to be careful with this one. If you buy a gym membership for a family member or friend that does not routinely exercise they will wonder what your true intentions are. However, if your relative loves yoga or loves working out but their gym membership is expensive buying a membership to their gym or yoga classes will be a thoughtful gift. Don’t buy workout equipment unless they have specifically requested it. 

Hiking

Does your family love hiking? Get annual passes to the state parks or national parks in your area.

Other Experiences

There are no shortage of experiences you could gift this holiday season. You could take the entire family ice-skating, bowling, or mini-golfing. If your family likes alcohol you could opt for a wine-tasting or brewery tour. One of my favorite indulgent experiences is a trip to the spa with a nice relaxing dinner afterwards. 

Books

You probably know someone in your life on your to-buy list who is an avid reader. Get them a gift-card to their favorite bookstore or find out what books are on their “to-read” list and gift those instead. 

Board or Card Games

Card games or board games are a great way to bond and spend time with your family. There are so many to choose from nowadays for all ages. If you want less time spent in front of electronics this holiday, break out a board game and ban phones from the table. 

Photos

Haven’t had family photos taken in quite awhile? Pay for a photo session to update your family photos. For a less expensive gift put together a photo calendar or photo book of all of your favorite pictures you’ve taken in the past year and gift them to family.

Music Lovers

Get your family or friends a great bluetooth speaker that will have great bass for working out, is loud enough for an outdoor party, and is soft enough for a quiet dinner. 

Gardening Enthusiast

Get your relative a plant kit that can be grown indoors or out. There are so many to choose from! Your options are limitless!

Homemade Gifts

Cinnamon Honey Butter – make and gift with biscuits or homemade bread!

Apple Pie Filling – Dump in a pie crust or pour over pancakes, waffles, or ice cream! Make apple turnovers or apple crisp! There are so many delicious treats that can be made! Attach your favorite apple recipe to the jar before gifting.

Homemade Vanilla Extract – authentic and a while lot cheaper!

Whipped Body Butter – we could all use a little more moisture in our skin this winter!

While it may feel great to start gifting experiences rather than material possessions if we don’t stick to our holiday budget then we will still feel a whole lot of regret come January. Make sure before you start shopping that you set a budget for all gifts, then divide it up among everyone on your list how you see fit. Whatever you do, don’t deviate from your budget! Your wallet will thank me later. 🙂