Think outside of the box this year, take a chance, and consider something experiential! Get them a spa visit (could be local) or a visit to the zoo to help behind the scenes. Maybe they would like to take a boxing lesson or dance class. There are so many ideas, besides tickets for a play or movie, how about purchasing a private cooking class or hiring a chef to cook for a small group. I have quite a few people that contact me for a gift certificate to help jumpstart the organizing process, too. There are more ideas in the holiday topic list on this blog. Also, check out www.cluttercoach.com for more tips and I offer new ideas daily on facebook or twitter (you can click on the links on the welcome page of the website).
Archive for the ‘Holidays’ Category
Clutter-free Gift Ideas
Wednesday, December 16th, 2009The Search for the Perfect Gift
Wednesday, December 12th, 2007
Ever notice how stressed out people become this time of year?
Everyone is trying to find the perfect gift. They rack their brains coming up with what they think that person would really like or appreciate. Many times after spending an inordinate amount of time fretting and searching and then finding the ‘perfect gift’ they are only to have their hopes dashed. So often, people politely say thank you and quietly add the gift to their already overstuffed closets or piles of stuff to deal with later.
Think outside of the box this year, take a chance, and consider something experiential! Get them a spa visit (could be local) or a visit to the zoo to help behind the scenes. Maybe they would like to take a boxing lesson or pole dance class. There are so many ideas, besides tickets for a play or movie, how about purchasing a private cooking class or hiring a chef to cook for a small group. I have quite a few people that contact me for a gift certificate to help jumpstart the organizing process.
Another consideration might be way to go green or contribute to a charity. There is an organization greendimes.com that will help you get off of the mailing lists and plant trees instead. There is another place called giftback.com that you can choose a gift as well as choose the charity that 10% of your purchase price goes to, so you are giving twice! Check out womensedge.org for some great looking handmade silk bags that are made by women artisans in poor countries. Your purchase will be appreciated by both your recipient and the disadvantaged women of Cambodia.
Lastly, I think this is great. There is a necklace that has been created to help collect seed capital for grants for aspiring entrepreneurs in poor countries. The necklace is being sold by trickleup.org and features the earth, the seed and the human as charms on the necklace. Check it out, what could be more fitting for a women!
Whatever your special person appreciates, they are sure to love a new surprise experience. And, they will not only remember the experience, they will remember you for thinking of it. It truly is special when you can design a gift that truly has meaning!
Thanksgiving Blessings
Thursday, November 22nd, 2007
Thanksgiving is a big time holiday that everybody thinks about as a great time with family and friends eating and drinking without consideration for limits.
However, it is supposed to be a time to be grateful. How often do we stop the incessant do-do-do and go-go-go to take a moment to reflect on all the blessings in our lives? We are caught up in the frenzy of our lives and spend much of our time busy going, doing and acquiring focused on filling our lives with what we think makes us happy. How often do we believe that what we need is external, the next outfit, next man, next home? We are so caught up in our own challenge to get as much as we can, after all, we’ve all believed in fairy tales and that whoever dies with the most toys, wins. So, how do we get in touch with our true needs? Good question? The answer is the challenge. We need to find what really brings us joy and find a way to incorporate it into our daily lives. We need to find a way to be grateful for what we have, all of it. We need to really appreciate what we’ve become and whatever goodness you can recount about yourself and those in your world. It doesn’t have to be perfect to be counted.
So, as I reflect on my blessings on this special holiday, I take the time to breathe and say thank you.
Falling into the Holiday Swirl!
Sunday, November 4th, 2007
Well, it seems as though it’s that time of year again. The time when everything starts to gain momentum, it’s as if we get caught up in the swirl of the leaves flying and move right into the holidays, one after another.
We go from that back to school time right into Halloween, then Thanksgiving, Christmas and the New Year without so much as a break in between. It seems that as soon as the decorations are up, they need to be taken down and replaced with the next holiday.
Each year, I have been attempting to simplify. I try to weed out and donate the decorations that I don’t love. That way I only keep and get to enjoy the ones that I really like. It seems much easier when it’s time to put them up or away.
This year, I want to be really intentional. I want to stop all the busyness. I am taking the time to reflect on what didn’t work for me last year. By identifying what caused stress last year, I can simplify the way I do things by making changes that make it a happier holiday time.
I want to simplify with the cards and gifts, too. Each year I make a list and then find it challenging to get the greeting cards done. This year, I want to do it differently. I am considering a service that will do the cards for me. It can be just as personal and I don’t have to do all the work.
Do you have any ways that you are planning to simplify the holidays?
