The Gift Box and gifting strategies
October 22, 2018
One of my favorite things about having my office space settled is that even though it’s only October, almost all the Christmas gifts for the family niblings are ready to be wrapped. I might even tackle that wrapping this month to settle my stomach over the upcoming holidays. That’s because I have THE GIFT BOX.
It’s a really simple process. I keep a spreadsheet of the niblings’ ages, sizes, and favorite colors. When I spot a great sale on kids’ clothing or books, and I have a gift card, I pick out as many things as I can for up to $100 total, and voila! Their gifts are done. I can usually get a good armload of clothing so that’s always fun.
I’ll grant you that it’s not that exciting – they don’t get toys just clothing or books, but I’m all about practicality and frankly, all of the niblings have toys coming out of their ears. The clothes will get passed down through all the cousins and the books, well, you know how I feel about books. The more the better!
I also add more random gifts for JB’s friends, and the children of our friends, throughout the year during similar sales but those lucky kids get books, clothes, puzzles AND art supplies. We ran into the Aaron Brothers closing sale and picked up a stack of cool painting projects, all between $4 to $10 each, so that when ze gets invitations to an unexpected birthday party, we’re already stocked up and ready.
We aim not to go to more than 5 parties a year so that keeps us from overspending on random kids.
I’m sure this all sounds a bit cheap, so much cost control!, but it’s just not a priority to spend real money on STUFF at this age. I’d rather spend discretionary money on our library, the homeless shelter, the humane society, and educational museums.
On the environmental front, this year, once I practice enough hand sewing drawstring bags for our own use, I’d like to find cheap happy looking fabric to make up fabric gift bags for at least Christmas presents to reduce the waste of paper gift wrap. If I work up a batch for other gifts too, all the better! But this is likely to be a year round project.
Oh, how I envy you, both for having an organized office space and also for having Gifts All Settled. I told my husband over the weekend that I didn’t care if the trimwork still isn’t done– I need to actually be moved into my office beyond having just a desk and a chair in here. What I have right now is the bare minimum to get work done, but there’s no organization to speak of at all. It’s making me crazy.
I don’t know if the niblings’ parents are aware of how thoughtful you are, but I will tell you that I personally would be really grateful if nobody but me ever gave my child another stuffed animal or doll again. I’m already getting rid of 1-2 bags of toys a year because there is no way for it all to fit or even be fun. And it bothers me, because I would actually really love to pick out things like that for her birthday or Christmas, but I feel that there’s too much inflow already. Books, we would keep and enjoy. Clothes– the kid needs clothes. Toys, though. She has So Many Toys, and too many of them don’t get names and don’t get played with.
You know, I’m not entirely sure that the niblings’ parents understand the policy which hasn’t ever been stated but is consistent. I’m glad to hear you would appreciate it, though!
If only I had an organization wand to bestow upon you your own cleared up office! Mine was mass of boxes for months and there are STILL boxes in here. BUT I have enough space that it works.
I totally sympathize Leslie! I hate feeling torn between overloading them with Stuff or looking like a Scrooge in comparison. š I’ve been working with the grandmas on only doing one medium or two small toy presents, and then clothes, books, & art supplies can be added to that. But it’s an uphill battle when you’re trying NOT to fight with well-intentioned, loving relatives. :/
It’s very much an uphill battle for some families!
Love your idea of a gift box, to have at the ready! We don’t really buy many Christmas gifts these days. I buy gifts for my 2 nephews (14 & 16), & my best friend’s two daughters (18 & 15). Plus our own 2 kids. Our kids are getting skis (really, to make my life easier vs renting, but we won’t tell them that), likely new soccer socks & a couple of books. For my nephew, I’ll pay for his entrance fee to a race we do together. I’ll need ideas for my 14 year old nephew, but it’s typically books & maybe a game of sorts. For the two girls I buy for, I have previously done fun shirts or something, but given one is in college now, I may shift into a more practical space, like a Target gift card. Boring, but I’m guessing would be appreciated.
That’s a nice small circle of gifting! The box’s contents will definitely shift as we all exit the “baby and younger kid” phase of life – I think the Target gift card would be very appreciated in the college phase of life.