Gifts That Aren't Things

Ceci n'est pas une gift guide.

Now that gift-giving times are upon us, it might be the right moment to announce that I’m a huge proponent of gifts that aren’t material things. After unwrapping yet another bracelet or pair of earrings that I know will end up gathering dust as I feel guilty to haul them off to the charity shop and go unused as I feel guilty to re-gift them, I got sick of feeling guilty and realised that I’m actually an experience person rather than a yellow-handbag-that-doesn’t-go-with-anything person. And it’s not just me - research from Oxfam shows that a third of people shove unwanted Christmas gifts in the cupboard. That’s a whole lot of cupboard space that could be used for fancy coffee, mango-flavoured matcha, and 100% dark chocolate (exception to everything: food gifts. Food gifts are always a YES). And since waste goes up by 30% around the holidays, gifting anything that could potentially end up in the bin before Boxing Day is a big environmental no-no. I also worry about choosing material gifts for the people I love - even when I believe that I really know their taste. Here are some waste-free ways to say Merry Christmas (spoiler: no shopping links in sight).

A donation to a cause in their name. Once, many years ago, my sister and her then-husband made a donation to an animal charity in my name for Christmas. It is to date one of the best gifts I have ever received. It’s something about the goodwill of Christmas that ties so perfectly in with a cause you care about. You feel like you’ve done a good deed, when all you did was unwrap a present.

A gift certificate for books. Okay, okay, this is technically a material thing. But (aside from being the best gift I can imagine, why does nobody ever gift me this?), this is a perfect way to make sure that your present will be appreciated - since the recipient can choose it themselves. Oh, the magic of walking around a bookstore choosing your next read. I’m filled with Christmas spirit just thinking about it.

A restaurant voucher. My husband and I were gifted this once. We used it for our anniversary. It was magical. It is also the only gift we remember from that anniversary. The truth about material things is, as soon as you’ve begrudgingly dropped them at the charity shop, they tend to be forgotten. But a restaurant voucher? That’s not just a meal. That’s the gift of quality time, and if there’s one thing we could use more of in our lives, it’s that.

I can’t even remember what this gift was. You see my point, material things are easily forgotten.

A promise to cook a nice dinner for them. Alright, this might seem like a cop-out, since it’s a “redeem in the future” kinda deal. But to me, a promise like this says “I want to spend time with you.” Which, I guarantee you, is not something that dangly multi-coloured earrings say.

A magazine subscription. Yes, a print publication. Like back in the olden days. I don’t know about you, but if someone wants to drop Red, ELLE, or Stylist on my doorstep every month for a year, that person will be loved by me forever.

A spa day. My husband and I were gifted this quite recently, and as people who quite rarely (okay, never) go to a spa, we still reminisce about how lovely it was. A true indulgence. Like presents are meant to be.

Concert tickets. After making sure that it’s a concert they want to see, of course. And no, inviting them to join you for the concert that you want to see doesn’t count. Unless it’s their favourite band too.

A class they really want to take. I once had a friend who wanted to take a reiki healing class. I wish I could say I gifted her one, but I couldn’t afford it. If you can, though, this is a gift that will be endlessly appreciated.

An afternoon tea. This is also something that my husband and I were gifted (yes, we do have exceptional friends) and few things are as indulgent and luxurious as a good afternoon tea. Plus, again, quality time.

A day trip. Another dream gift. My husband once surprised me with a day trip to Arundel, which is still a wonderful memory for us. Get the tickets, buy some snacks, and tell your person to meet you at the train station.

And if all else fails…fancy coffee. Okay, this one’s a material thing too. But you can never go wrong with fancy coffee.