Creating Space with Mindful Gift Giving

Through the month of December, calendars are likely full of gatherings with family, friends, and colleagues. Along with the merry enjoyment of food, drink, and togetherness, the practice of gift giving is an enduring one.

But finding that perfect gift for everyone on your list can be one of the most stressful parts of the holidays. And what about reducing costs? Or using more environmentally friendly wrapping? If gift giving feels like a chore this year, you might want to reimagine the practice as a meditative process.

Change your mindset

Finding the right gifts can too often spiral into an expensive, stressful pursuit. You might benefit from changing your mindset, both personally and collectively—as individuals, families, and friend groups.

Draft some gentle rules to make gift giving easier this year. Involve others by discussing what works for you, your family, and your friends. For example, agree to a price limit on gifts or commit to recycled or repurposed gifts only.

By following practical tips for finding the perfect, thoughtful gift for everyone on your list, you can return to the essentials of gift giving: caring for yourself, your loved ones, and your community. Mindful gift giving creates stillness, joy, and peace during the holiday season.

Choose the right gift

Once you’ve made a plan, you need to pick a present. How do you choose just the right gift, one that represents your appreciation of the recipient? Finding the perfect gift requires that you contemplate the person and their specific needs.

Tap into the needs of the recipient, whether it’s tangible or emotional. For instance, you could give a piece of kitchen equipment you know they’ve been dreaming of. Or you might write them an encouraging letter of support and gift your time to chat and connect over a cup of peppermint mocha or gingerbread latte.

Are they young and in need of clothes, books, or home essentials? Are they a parent who’d love to receive simple services, such as babysitting or meal prep, as presents? Or perhaps your list includes elderly family members or friends who live alone, and who would benefit from your presence as a heart-warming holiday gift.

To spend or not to spend

Whether or not to spend money on gifts—and how much—is a choice influenced by your own situation and the plan you’ve made with those on your gift-giving list.

If your gift-giving plan with family and friends allows for it, and you have a few big gifts in mind, consider buying from local artisans to keep your money circulating in your community. By spending locally and supporting independent stores and boutiques, the money you spend on your holiday gifts will benefit countless people. Now that’s the holiday spirit!

When a spending limit is part of your plan, you can enjoy letting go of the pressure that comes with spending a lot of money on gifts. Your giftees will appreciate other forms of giving—whether your gift is your time or your creativity.

Are you a talented baker? Tasty holiday cookies could fill your kitchen with delicious aromas all month long. Do you enjoy hosting? You might organize a gift exchange where everyone brings something they no longer need. The opportunities are as vast as your imagination.

Create thoughtful packaging

A cup of eggnog, a toasty fire, and … a mountain of trash? Traditional gift wrapping often leads to a pile of used paper and tape, destined for the recycling bin or landfill. At a time when many of us are increasingly conscious of our ecological footprint, it’s a good opportunity to explore more sustainable options.

For example, reusable natural fabrics such as organic cotton, linen, wool, or jute have a low carbon footprint—and they last longer. You can source pretty fabric wrapping to be reused and regifted from year to year. Decorate your beautifully wrapped gifts with natural decorations including sprigs of lavender or small boughs of aromatic fir, spruce, or pine.

Beyond choosing the right gift for your loved ones, whether it is of monetary value or creative ingenuity, remember to cherish the spirit of the holidays, including its ability to bring people together across space and time. That’s the greatest gift—and one that cannot be purchased.

Creative gift giving

Are you struggling to pick a present for a hard-to-shop-for loved one? Here are some clever ideas to make sure you check off everyone on your list.

The go-getter: for those who love feeling accomplished, consider gifting an experience to a favorite museum or pottery-making class.

The chef: for those who enjoy getting inventive in the kitchen, try creating a basket with locally sourced vegetables and herbs. 

The minimalist: for those who prioritize the little things, head to a nearby farmers market and source out sustainable products, like soaps, candles, and jewelry.

The busy bee: for those who find it difficult to say they need an extra hand, create vouchers for home-cooked meals, babysitting, or even offer to organize a closet.

The kiddo: for the little ones in your life, hit up the toy section of your local second-hand store for plastic-free alternatives.

The remote worker: for those who work from home, consider sprucing up their space with plants or eco-friendly desk accessories.

‘Tis the season to recycle

Research shows that during the holiday season, the amount of waste Americans produce increases by 25 percent. Online shopping is much to blame, generating 4.8 times more packaging waste than in-store purchases. If you can’t make it to the store this Christmas, be sure to recycle what you can, including cardboard boxes, paper, and plastics.