Anything that has real and lasting value is always a gift from within. ~ Franz Kafka
Gift giving is a social norm. On Christmas alone, an average American receives 10-15 gifts every year. Being a minimalist, coming up with gift ideas is even harder. To me, gifting is like making more deposits into the clutter account of the recipient. Besides considering recipients’ interests, I often think about the treasurability of the gift by asking questions like: Would they like to keep it forever? Would they forget about it once it is out of sight? Or would they start thinking of re-gifting it? In other words, I am very careful of what I give to others, and I keep accumulating ideas for giving some truly treasurable gifts. Here are my most preferred (mostly tried and tested) ideas:
Hand-crafted Items: If you are a creative person, write poetry or a hand-written note, sketch or paint something. If you are good at crafts, make an item they can use, or a greeting card with cutouts, pictures, or photo prints. If you are a techie, create a video (of yourself and/or friends), or a Flash movie. If you like to be in the kitchen, cook something of recipient’s choice. Or even better, imitate recipient’s talents and interests, like attempting to write a poem for a poet, or be even more creative by intermixing your interests with their talents.
Off-the-shelf Items: Gift a magazine subscription, or an e-book for Kindle or NOOK users. Create a photo calendar for them, or simply buy a gift card. It is the lazy way out but works all the time.
Intangible Items: Give the gift of time; volunteer, offer help in moving, baby-sitting, cleaning, pick-up and drop service, etc. Dedicate your important works to people.
