This morning this photo of a very busy local Denver area mall ended up in my Facebook news feed:
So I decided to write a blog post that helps people find great gifts and imagine a different way to prepare for Christmas! Each person in our society needs to change their behavior for true change to occur! Along the way I have included links to articles that may help guide or inspire you. As you continue down the page, I include a list of links to actual products, retailers or tutorials that can get you started!
Lets make Christmas less about consumerist culture and more about carefully considered gift giving!
We can do that in several ways:
- Practice minimalism
- Personalized gift giving - spend time considering the recipients interests
- Make gifts
- Consider upcycling items > reduce/reuse/recycle
- Support small businesses
- Buy quality products not cheap poor quality things that don't last
We can turn the tide of consumerism, ignore mass marketing and enjoy Christmas at the same time and no time is better for a revolution than a COVID Christmas!
Step 1 Discovery - What is Minimalism?
Click here to learn about 8 principles of minimalism:
Read this article about Hygge philosophy for inspiration:
I personally love the Japanese philosophy of Wabi Sabi as inspiration:
Step 2 Recipient focused giving!
Who are you gifting to and why?
Be intentional! Perhaps start with a review of your gift giving through a mind map like this:
Step 3 Can I make them something?
Here are just a few examples with links to inspire:
- papercraft https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08EwmGlzFZg
- macramé https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udsZnlPpcj4
- sewing - download some free PDF tutorials here: https://adventurousquilter.yolasite.com/More-FREE-PDFs.php I usually make reusable bags and pillowcases!
- scrap booking https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R84Y1guNYq8
- cooking kit https://thediymommy.com/a-gift-in-a-tin-christmas-baking-kit-gift/
- cocktail making kit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87rSwUFCTTM
- recipe book https://www.thekitchn.com/gift-idea-make-162227 https://createmycookbook.com/books/pricing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnZawnoaOcE
- fridge magnet https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLuGhY8SO-U
- baked goods https://www.countryliving.com/food-drinks/g1059/homemade-food-gifts/?slide=1
- calendar https://www.itsalwaysautumn.com/free-printable-2017-photo-calendar-easy-diy-gift.html
- photo collage frame https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofZREbwUe-o
- bullet journal kit https://bulletjournal.com/pages/learn
Step 4 Consider Upcycling or Reusing!
- Paint an old item to give it new life - in this example I chalk painted an old wooden bowl! these make great home decor gifts or vessels to fill with themed gift items (like the cooking/cocktail or bullet journaling kit ideas above)
- What do I have I can rejuvenate and regift?
Old photo frames are perfect for upcycling by painting them to suit current home decor trends!
- Buy used items, this is particularly great with books! Try https://www.betterworldbooks.com/
Step 5 If you buy, support a small business!
Try these searches on Etsy:
- leather gifts
- handmade jewelry
- seaglass jewelry
- gin/medicine bottle jewelry is really cool!
- macrame jewelry
- vintage picnic basket
- wood jewelry
- handmade toys
- handmade pottery
- watercolor art
- modern art
Here are a few specific makers that I LOVE on Etsy:
Quilted pot holders and bowl cozies
Reused glass jewelery
Native American Jewelry:
Seaglass gifts
Reused ocean plastic!
Macrame jewelry
Custom leather and wood gifts
Crochet toys
Wood toys
Record clock!
Rag dolls and clothes
Step 6 Buy Quality Products
The fashion and home decor industries rely on fashion trends to sell merchandise that has led to a massive industry in cheap products that aren't designed to last. Here is an article you may wish to read to understand this further:
Try bucking the trend this year and buy higher quality products that will last longer and minimize impact on the Earth by not ending up in landfill in early 2021!
This year I focused on hand made and custom design!
Hubby and I designed our own family T-shirt design to commemorate 2020 and make us feel closer together even though we are on the opposite side of the globe to two of our children, we used this company and instead of the cheaper options we chose the tri-blend tshirts that are a great quality and should last well:
I also made pillowcases, reusable bags & covered books in a very special fabric I had printed on Spoonflower, Then I just bought a few very special Lego kits to build on Christmas day and some board/card games too, that way we remember the experiences we have had together in Christmases past and can have similar but different experiences for this year rather than get gifts that are item focused!