In the upcoming weeks I will be sharing some tips from financial experts and mortgage lenders to help those gearing up for a 2023 home purchase! We have officially entered the season of piling up the credit card debt, so although I have no interest in being the scrooge in your life, being frugal and disciplined with our spending habits now will set us up for success next Spring!
With that said, this post is hopefully a bit more fun! I figure if we are going to be buying gifts, we should make each one worth every penny! Searching for gifts that are meaningful and/or useful can be a tad stressful. It may be especially challenging this year with inflation squeezing many of our budgets.
I wanted to share a few thoughts and gift ideas. If you have any great additions, let me know and I will add them for everyone!
The Minimalist Generation
Tiny Homes. Trend Setting Living Rooms. Stunning Gourmet Kitchens. Zero Clutter Tolerance.
A common trend for today’s consumer revolves around a more minimalist lifestyle focused on inspiring environments and mindfulness. Social media and home design shows have a lot to do with that! We are flooded with beautiful images of magazine ready homes.
This all involves reducing the stuff we have that build up in our homes.
So how do we buy gifts for someone who doesn’t want stuff?!
I’ve come up with some ideas to help spark that shoppers block you may have.
Gift Ideas with Links for your convenience
SHOP LOCAL
My first recommendation is to Shop Local! I am a huge advocate of supporting local businesses. There is something extra special about giving a gift that includes the statement “I found this for you in this really great boutique shop in my town…”
I am fortunate to live in a phenomenal town for holiday shopping. Here are a couple of my favorite places to find gifts that are always appreciated. Maybe you have similar shops near you!
Blue Moon - Premium Olive Oil and Vinegar
Occasionette - Gifts and Goods
The Candy Jar - Old Time Candy, Chocolate, and more!
BeSpoke - Home Products and House Plants
SAFETY
These may not be ‘warm and fuzzy’ options, but there are items out there that can add peace of mind for your family and friends. Here are a few that I have my eye on.
Christmas Tree Smoke Detector - This is a brilliant little device that everyone with a live Christmas Tree should have! It looks like an ornament, but it is actually a heat sensor that will alarm you faster than your smoke detectors might in the event of a fire.
Emergency Car Safety Tool - 6 in 1 car crash safety device that also functions as your car USB port.
Life Vac - Many of us may know CPR and the Heimlich maneuver, but as a mother I find having this device readily available in my kitchen to give great peace of mind.
HOME IMPROVEMENT
This year I am thinking about some home improvement ideas that will help save homeowners some money. With utility prices creeping up, many would welcome some inflation busters.
Energy Efficient Thermostats - Set and forget schedules for your home’s heating to help limit the usage!
Desktop Space Heater - Another thought for those working from home is instead of heating the whole house, turn that thermostat down and have a small space heater on your desk to take the chill off when needed.
Insta Pot - I LOVE my Insta Pot and use it often. The fast, delicious meals are my primary reason for loving it, but then I learned how energy efficient it is! If you are looking to help someone reduce their costs in the kitchen, this would be a great option.
KIDS
As a mom, I personally love gifts that don’t take up tons of space, get my kids outside, or keeps them away from screens. Here are a few ideas to get your wheels turning.
Baseball Swing Trainer - This is a great gift for the baseball/softball kid in your life. It very easily connects to a pole and allows your slugger to swing away!
Art Pencils - Nice colored pencils and a new sketchbook is always a great idea for your creative child
Scavenger Hunt - Keeping the kids away from screens is a challenge! Games like this scavenger hunt keeps them engaged and moving!
Experiences
Many trying to live a minimalist lifestyle will be thrilled with an Experience gift instead of a physical gift.
Restaurant Gift Cards - A gift card to a favorite restaurant is always a win.
Tickets to an event - Give the gift of an experience to a concert, sporting event, or a local destination (think zoos, aquariums, museums). Giving a memory that they will cherish forever is invaluable!
Time Together - Sometimes the best gift is simply TIME! Offer to take your loved ones out for the day. It can be as simple as a day in the park, a hike and a picnic, or treating them to a movie.
When you are really stuck, go with a Gift Card and a box of chocolate!
Keep it simple and meaningful! Don’t just grab a gag gift that will ultimately be tossed or home decor that may not be their taste. Responsible spending includes not being wasteful with your gift purchases. Set a gift budget, stick to it, and be sure to follow along in the coming weeks for tips on gifting yourself financial stability in 2023!