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Have you ever gotten an incredibly awkward gift? I’m willing to bet you’ve gotten at least one. I’d say my favorite awkward gift was a manicure set that was so old the cuticle cream had turned into powder. I was probably about eight or nine years old at the time, and was completely baffled at the gift in its entirety. My parents thought it was ultra-amusing, my very proper grandmother thought it was scandalous, and my Great Aunt Marie (God rest her soul) had thought it perfectly normal to regift old and odd things she found around her home. Some other kooky gifts I received from Aunt Marie over the years included an embroidered, baby pink, sheer apron, a suitcase, and the costume jewelry pictured here, which still has a pungent old-perfume smell when you open the box. (Just to name a few.) To be honest, I used to look forward to Aunt Marie’s gifts because they were ALWAYS entertaining. My other family members, however, thought her regifting was a bit… rude…
Well, after many years (okay, some decades), I’m really not so sure Aunt Marie wasn’t on to something. And no, I’m not growing old and senile just yet. As I’ve been finishing up my Christmas shopping (yep, I’m that person), I have been thinking about all the STUFF we already have. In fact, one of the reasons I’m finished shopping already is because the majority of my gifts are either gift cards or alcohol (heck yeah, bet you wish you were on my list, ha). Because the fact of the matter is, we all have too much stuff already.
This hyper awareness of consumerism and the commercialization of one of my favorite holidays has bothered me for years. I’ve tried various ways to combat it. Long ago, I used to make a large portion of my presents in an effort to add more meaning to each gift. But that only contributed to my stress levels and I wound up completely frazzled, instead of in the holiday spirit. Then one year, I took a page from Aunt Marie’s book and asked everyone on my list if we could either exchange regifted items, or stick to a certain price point if one couldn’t be found. Unfortunately, it wasn’t quite the success I’d hoped for either. And I kept my mouth shut the next year, least any more stupid ideas flew out of it.
However, with the right group dynamics, I still maintain that regifting could be a meaningful and valid option. Most of us are (thankfully) very fortunate and probably have a lot more stuff than we truly need – or want. So, if you can get folks on board (way in advance, mind you), maybe consider giving your friend that necklace she admires every time you wear it, or pass along a gently read book that you just know that certain someone will love. So long as it’s thoughtful and not an awkward regift (there’s no need to make it weird), I say, why not?
I also get that for some people regifting is just totally uncouth. So, I have some other fun suggestions…
Maybe in addition to your typical gift exchange, you add a silly white elephant game. In which, everyone comes to the party with a regifted item from their home that they’ve wrapped up. I’m willing to bet that the hilarity and crazy energy that the game produces will have everyone wanting to make it an annual tradition. (You can download a version of the game here.)
Another fabulous idea is to give gifts that are experiences. Click here for some clutter-free gift ideas that are sure to be a hit. If you’re reading this and I’m on your list, feel free to be inspired, haha (and wink, wink…). I don’t know about you, but I legit would scream with delight if someone gifted me a certificate for house cleaning services.
And I would be totally remiss if I didn’t encourage folks to shop local. I assure you; those big-box retailers and online enterprises do not do a happy dance over every sale – or any, for that matter. So, give local some love: mom and pop shops, bakeries, thrift stores, antique stores, bookstores, etc. (Ahem, you can also shop my creations here; and I ABSOLUTELY do a happy dance.) 🙂
Regardless, the holidays are nearly upon us. I wish you stress-free shopping, gift-giving, and a whole heck of a lot of cheer. If you’re not feel’n it, alcohol helps; unless it’s eggnog. That crap is nasty, haha.
PS: I just realized that I’ve saved the Aunt Marie gift, pictured above, so long that blingy costume jewelry has come back in style. Ha!
PPS: Don’t forget when prepping your home for the influx of new items received this season, to donate all your unwanted clothes, kid toys, home goods, etc. to a charitable cause, and not the dumpster.
PPPS: If you have children, please consider that not every child’s Santa can afford to give lavish gifts. At our house, Santa always stays in the $20 range so that if it comes up in conversation on the playground, my kiddo won’t make another kiddo wonder why they only received, say… a warm scarf, instead of an iPad or PlayStation…
Okay, I’m finished rambling… 🙂
