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With the holiday season fast approaching it is a good time to consider clutter-free gift giving.  Most of us have enough; then when this time of year comes along we over indulge in so many ways.  We eat more, drink more, and spend more!

Many of us don’t want to receive more ‘stuff’, but we are afraid to offend our usual gift givers.  Be brave, be the first to suggest drawing names for gifts at least among the adults, this will lighten the load, and save time trying to figure out where to put more stuff.

Plan a family vacation, it is a gift you’ll look forward to until the time comes. There are many ways to customize consumable gifts for the people on your list. Is there a new mom that could benefit from some time to herself? Give her babysitting services, diaper services or cleaning services. How about the senior that no longer drives, perhaps they would love the freedom of having a personal driver for a day. There are the usual favorites like a trip to the spa, the movies, or a great local restaurant.

Create a ‘Day With Me’ certificate that gives each of your children separate time with you doing the things you enjoy doing together.

This is also a great way for kids to give of themselves; wash a car, babysit a younger sibling, clean their room! What a great way to teach our kids the true spirit of giving.

The one question I have to ask is, if there is guilt and obligation attached, how is it a gift?

 

It isn’t the size of the gift that matters, but the size of the heart that gives it.                                                                                                                                   The Angels’ Little Instruction Book – Eileen Elias Freeman