Megan Monique
 
Picture
For the past few years the idea of getting and giving Christmas gifts haven’t appealed to me.

First off, it is no fun getting a gift you know you will either trash, donate or re-gift down the line.

Second, I don’t enjoy spending the money I work very hard to earn on someone when I have no idea whether they will actually like or find use for what I give them.

& after watching this video yesterday, I have absolutely no desire to contribute to our increasingly large piles of compost.
Which leads me to my question; how does one approach their not-so-green family with the idea of not gifting? I want to stand by word and more importantly, Mama Earth. But I also have no desire to step on anyones toes.

How are you gifting green this Holiday season & what are your thoughts on not gifting?
Picture
PS. Click Here to leave a comment.
 


Comments

donna link
11/23/2010 5:16pm

Once again this year, we are drawing names. I had decided to make gifts this year, so I think that's what I'm going to do. Something that I know that person can use like a spice rub mix or something like that. Not sure yet what I'm going to do. But I think this year everything should be special.

Reply
Leslee link
11/23/2010 7:56pm

Had to take the time to comment on this one. I watched that video too yesterday and it inspired me in the same way. I thought of a brilliant gift for my nieces (sisters 11 and 5). I'm going to buy them a family membership to Discovery Place (the fun science museum in their town). That way they aren't adding to the trash pile and get some quality family time! As far as everyone else, I'm still thinking. I really want to do charity contributions, but that's my kind of thing, not my family's. I also thought about restaurant gift certificates and Itunes bucks.

Reply
kelly link
11/23/2010 8:54pm

Myself and my immediate family decided a couple of years ago to stop gifting. This is mainly beacause we were all broke! LOL!
Instead we focus on family time and making memories together. For instance, baking cookies, watching movies and eating popcorn on the couch together. Gifts are still given to the children because it's fun as heck to open gifts when you are little! If we do decide we want to give something it must be handmade not store bought! Memories and things made just for you are more special than stuff!!!!

Reply
Monica link
11/24/2010 12:51pm

hi there! first time here.

this issue is so tricky. people can get really defensive or weird about it. i asked my parents to stop giving me xmas presents when i was about 14. my mother was not pleased.

i asked my in-laws to not give me pressies after a few years. i encourgaed my nieces (kids love to give to make us somehting. so we got crappy bits of wood and glue stuck together, lol, but it was great that they used what they had around the house and also were creative.
as they got older they made us little cakes and such.

so you could encourage gifts like that. the other one i ask for is to give to a charity in my name. but that's less popular.

now that i hae adughter, good grief! what horrible plastic stuff there is out there for kids. i try to gently spread the word - green.... wooden, etc.
this year i'll be more explicit with my now adult nieces - no plastic. and i always add, a book would be great. bacuse strangely enough, people can go blank when you say no plastic, like there's nothing else. lol

i give pressies only to those really close to me, or when i was working, small gifts to colleagues. i never send cards.
people get used to it and i explain why, without preaching, if it comes up. i make it clear that it's MY choice and i don't expect it from others.

good luck!

Reply
Monica link
11/24/2010 12:52pm

eek, sorry for so many typos!

Reply
Siobhan
11/24/2010 1:56pm

Yeah, this is a great idea! It gets more complicated if you really want to opt out of Christmas. Trying to do this (go away over Christmas) and shocked by the strong reactions from my family...

Reply
Syda link
11/24/2010 2:12pm

Hi Megan: I tweeted you but I have more to share... :)

When I was young I asked my mom at the last minute if I could invite one more friend to my birthday party. She agreed. But when the party was over she told me that I could never invite that friend again because they didn't bring a gift. I didn't care. I was just happy to have her there. So I grew up thinking I HAD to purchase gifts for people. It was very stressful for me later in life because I always tried to figure out who would be buying me a gift in order to return the gesture.

It came to my attention one year that one of my aunts didn't want to buy me a gift. Another family member told her not to. She did, but when I got wind of it I thought...how ridiculous is it that we buy gifts for people just because we think we have to? That's when I adopted the motto that I shall only buy gifts for people I want to buy gifts for. Say...the kids in the family. And because kids over ten want expensive electronics, most often they get gift cards for iTunes, Target, etc. and all other gifts include a gift receipt. I wouldn't say I have a "green" family, but we try to stay away from all the plastic garbage out there for the littlest ones. Choosing books, crafting supplies, journals, etc.

I have one very, very, picky friend that is hard to shop for so I also adopted the gift of "pass it on." It frees me from feeling like my gift didn't measure up, and frees the receiver to donate, or re-gift without guilt. It works for us and either way she is always very appreciative.

And the same gift applies here. Take what you want from what I have written, and discard the rest. :)

Good luck to you!

Reply
Christopher Psyraver link
11/24/2010 9:23pm

I think they'd kill me if I didn't give a gift! It's a bit of a nightmare actually. I live on my own whereas my sister's married with 2 kids so I have to worry about buying presents for all of them - they just have to get 1 for me.

I've been thinking maybe I could make stuff but I'm not great with my hands, except when playing guitar. Maybe I could write them a song, video it and give them all that? Just an idea...

Reply
Brittany link
11/25/2010 1:44pm

I just ask my friends for a small wish list of what they might want, unless I am 100% positive they will love it. That way people get exactly what they want and will think of you every time they wear/use/etc the gift. I'd rather have my friends really want something if I'm not sure what to get them instead of having them possibly not like what I'm spending money on.

Reply
Megan Potter link
11/29/2010 5:26pm

Well, I think you could begin with a few key changes (which wouldn't be going totally gift-less, but a good way to ease into the shift):

1. Suggest drawing names, that way you are only exchanging with one person.

2. Declare you are buying for kids only, and no gifts are needed for you. Lots of families with young kids are ok with this because it saves them money.

3. Turn to charity. Send an email telling people you'll be giving to charity in their name or be using charities as gifts (like Kiva where they can give the money over and over) and would appreciate if those were the only gifts offered to you.

I think those are less shocking then: I've decided not to buy any gifts this year. And might make it easier to go totally giftless next year.

Yours,
Megan

Reply

Comments are closed.