Mindful Gift-giving

If you’re on the downsizing journey or just finished and want to keep things minimal and easy to maintain, special occasions involving gift-giving can be challenging. Luckily, there are many ways to stay mindful when giving and asking for gifts without recreating the clutter you minimized.

Avoid Bad Gift-giving

We’ve all received (and probably given) gifts we weren’t thrilled with, so if you want to break the cycle, become a more thoughtful gift giver, and be more mindful with your spending, be sure to avoid:

• Big decision gifts you haven’t fully discussed with the other person, such as a new pet, piece of furniture, or car.
• Cheap gifts made from very low-quality materials that will break easily or soon.
• Fad gifts where the only joy coming from it is the gag of them opening it, otherwise it’s discarded incredibly soon or becomes clutter.
• Gender-specific gifts that might box people in with what they receive.
• Generic gifts that are thoughtless and only chosen because they were on sale, near the register, or just because you had to get something.
• Gifts inspired by things someone used to like but no longer cares for.
• Gifts that are only kind of like the very specific gift someone had in mind.
• Gifts that require more than they give, such as the number of accessories required to utilize it, the effort to assemble it, the amount of room it takes up, and when you can utilize it.
• Gifts with a hidden intention that benefit you but negatively impact the other, such as cooking appliances they’d never use because you want them to make you food.
• Personalized gifts that would be more difficult to sell or donate in the future or feel like an obligation to keep, such as having their name on it or family pictures.
• Regifted items that were yours, unless of course they’ve expressed their interest in it or it’s something they actually need that’s in good condition, such as special keepsakes and family heirlooms.

Be Mindful and Follow the GIFT Model

When choosing to be more mindful of how you give gifts by considering alternative present ideas, remember the GIFT model:

• Give yourself limits on the amount of things you’re buying, how much they cost, and how late you can shop.
• Invite people to give you ideas of what they want so you’re not guessing and getting them useless stuff.
• Focus on experiences you can gift instead of material items, as physical gifts can lead to clutter if they are of little to no use.
• Thoughtfulness will make it easier to find something that speaks to the gift receiver and make them appreciate and enjoy the gift more.

Whether you’re thinking about what to give someone or what you would like to receive, answer these questions so the gift is mindful:

• Is there something they’ve expressed as a want, need, or pain point in their life?
• What are their interests and hobbies?
• What are their tastes, preferences, and lifestyle?
• Are they a more practical or sentimental person?
• Do they prefer material gifts or experiences?
• Do they prefer being surprised or involved in decision-making?

Meaningful Gifts for a Thoughtful or Minimalist Lifestyle

Once you narrow down what you or the other person would really appreciate in a gift, here are some ideas for you to choose from that any generation can enjoy:

• Consumable Treats: These should be for immediate enjoyment, such as gourmet gift baskets or homemade goods.
• DIY and Handmade Gifts: It’ll take some time, but making your own gifts is immediately personal and specialized! This could be a knitted hat, scrapbook, photo album, or an upcycled gift.
• Environmental and Sustainable Gifts: Our consumerism can be hard on the planet (and our wallets and living spaces!), but you can choose green and eco-friendly options for shipping and second-hand gifts that are also unique.
• Experiences: Avoid clutter altogether and choose to gift wonderful memories and opportunities! This could be concert tickets, spa appointments, weekend getaways, trips abroad, and educational classes.
• Hobbies and Interests: Consider gifts that support the gift receiver’s passions, such as creative expression, cooking, maintaining a garden, traveling, physical activities, or being tech-savvy.
• Personal Gifts: Though it was mentioned earlier to avoid personalized gifts, there’s nothing wrong with a customizable gift that holds emotional significance and fits the person’s lifestyle. Things like a mug (which they may have many of already) with their name on it won’t be as emotionally significant and could create clutter. But a donation in their honor to a cause they admire or a quilt that makes them fondly remember the one their mother had could be a home run!
• Practical Gifts: While it may not seem as vibrant or fun, a practical gift can really elevate someone’s life. Consider gift cards to their favorite places, vouchers for cleaning services, various seasonal essentials, or compact kitchen items, especially if they live in dual-purpose spaces.
• Subscription Services: Many things today are based on a subscription model, such as movie or streaming services, meal snack boxes, genealogy kits, digital libraries, or memberships for cultural clubs, gyms, and museums.

Are you getting excited thinking about how you’ll spend your time in retirement? Explore all the things you could do in our ebook, Lifestyle Opportunities in Senior Living Communities!

At Life Enriching Communities (LEC), we’re committed to ensuring patrons feel well-equipped to plan their future and age how they wish. Explore more resources on senior living or contact us today to learn more about our legacy of services and programs that bring meaning and purpose to every stage of life.