Happy Friday faithful readers! Any success stories this week? I'd love to hear them! This week I want to touch on the idea of alternative gifts. No self-respecting monkey would go with store bought, these gifts are so much better than that!
Check Craigslist, Swidjit, or other local sites (including www.moxyithaca.com of course)! A lot of people have brand new, never used products that are still in their original boxes, for a fraction of the price (like me)! It could be worth it to do a general search on one of these sites if you know what you are looking for, or just browse different categories if you don’t! There is a caveat in this as well, because there is most likely no return policy, but most people are inherently honest. If you are a well informed buyer, you should be able to be a smart shopper and get a great deal on a brand new product for yourself and/or others as well.
Another alternative is to check out Etsy.com. There are a lot of crafty people, local and national, that have some beautiful handmade items at pretty reasonable prices (Funkoffbrand and MeeshOneStudio are two of my faves)!
Be alternative! I am sure that many of you are aware, faithful readers, but there is more to life than stuff. Many families are so busy with their faces buried in their electronic goo gags that they can’t even enjoy a family meal together. My favourite gifts are the ones that come from the heart, and the creative mind. Who doesn’t love a mixed tape?? There are some great ideas at this site:
http://www.buynothingchristmas.org/alternatives/
Ideas include baking, having a swap party with all the items you don’t need or want anymore and all the leftovers go to charity, plenty of crafts, and more. One of my favourites has always been to give a home made certificate book with things such as car washes, dinners, a baking date (for kids or adults), or meal making date, laundry, dishes, pretty much anything you can think of! Imagine all the things that you would want someone to do for you or with you, and give that to them. So much fun! Or think of things that you WOULD want to do! Go for a walk, hike, bike ride, horseback ride (this may cost money but is SO worth it!), fly kites… the list goes on and on!
I am also a huge fan of “do-it-yourself (DIY)” projects. I can make some pretty awesome stuff when I put my mind to it! I have made weird little hybrid creatures on a personal challenge from a friend. One year I even made a macaroni picture for someone! It was so much fun to do! These projects can be anything from an ornament to a piece of furniture, and beyond! They are original, one of a kind, and when something is hand crafted it is so much more personal and meaningful! Websites that may help you get on your way include Pinterest, Instructables, Craftgawker… the list goes on and on! Just type “DIY” + anything into your search engine and you are on your way!
Again, I think that the holidays (or any day) are more about the time you spend than the schwag. No one ever says, “I wish I had gotten a better gift from Mom.”, however I have heard many people say, “I wish I had spent more time with Mom”. I think that overall, it is important to enjoy and remember the good times, the family dinners, or the great conversations… heck, I am sure I don’t even have most of the gifts that I have gotten over the years anymore! Except the ones that were given to me from the heart.
I would love to hear your ideas and feedback on this - the stories behind the gifts are also the best!
Another alternative is to check out Etsy.com. There are a lot of crafty people, local and national, that have some beautiful handmade items at pretty reasonable prices (Funkoffbrand and MeeshOneStudio are two of my faves)!
Be alternative! I am sure that many of you are aware, faithful readers, but there is more to life than stuff. Many families are so busy with their faces buried in their electronic goo gags that they can’t even enjoy a family meal together. My favourite gifts are the ones that come from the heart, and the creative mind. Who doesn’t love a mixed tape?? There are some great ideas at this site:
http://www.buynothingchristmas.org/alternatives/
Ideas include baking, having a swap party with all the items you don’t need or want anymore and all the leftovers go to charity, plenty of crafts, and more. One of my favourites has always been to give a home made certificate book with things such as car washes, dinners, a baking date (for kids or adults), or meal making date, laundry, dishes, pretty much anything you can think of! Imagine all the things that you would want someone to do for you or with you, and give that to them. So much fun! Or think of things that you WOULD want to do! Go for a walk, hike, bike ride, horseback ride (this may cost money but is SO worth it!), fly kites… the list goes on and on!
I am also a huge fan of “do-it-yourself (DIY)” projects. I can make some pretty awesome stuff when I put my mind to it! I have made weird little hybrid creatures on a personal challenge from a friend. One year I even made a macaroni picture for someone! It was so much fun to do! These projects can be anything from an ornament to a piece of furniture, and beyond! They are original, one of a kind, and when something is hand crafted it is so much more personal and meaningful! Websites that may help you get on your way include Pinterest, Instructables, Craftgawker… the list goes on and on! Just type “DIY” + anything into your search engine and you are on your way!
Again, I think that the holidays (or any day) are more about the time you spend than the schwag. No one ever says, “I wish I had gotten a better gift from Mom.”, however I have heard many people say, “I wish I had spent more time with Mom”. I think that overall, it is important to enjoy and remember the good times, the family dinners, or the great conversations… heck, I am sure I don’t even have most of the gifts that I have gotten over the years anymore! Except the ones that were given to me from the heart.
I would love to hear your ideas and feedback on this - the stories behind the gifts are also the best!
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