Simplify Your Gifting, Part 6

We've made it 6 weeks with Simplify Your Gifting! It's our hope that the last 5 posts have made you think or rethink about your gifting...and not just for the holidays, but gifting throughout the year.

Today's post sums up the whole series...think outside the box! We've covered a lot of gifting ideas that aren't thought of as the usual gift. Who says you have to be like everyone else? It's way more fun to be different! All of today's ideas are going to be a reminder of what we've already covered...and maybe a few new ones!

Outside the box ideas:

• Class or lesson fees
• Membership fees for things like Amazon Prime, book club, or a monthly "box" subscription (Dollar Shave Club, Crate Joy, Ipsy, Fab Fit Fun, Blue Apron, flower shop delivery, etc.)
• Subscriptions (think Highlights magazine...they now have products for 3 different age groups)
• Family pass for a local attraction (sport complex, museum, aquarium, movie theater, etc.)
• Gift cards - yeah, this is a popular gift for some givers, but that's because it's a no-brainer. A gift card allows the recipient to get what they want/need or it could be a much appreciated treat. Think of the young couple who might be just making ends meet...a restaurant gift card would be a perfect date night on someone else's tab (throw in an offer to babysit for free and you've given them a really nice gift). This is also a great way to gift your college student or a young single.
• Hostess gifts - wine is always good, personalized towel set or cutting board, flower arrangement or personalized wreath
• Support a hobby - brushes for the artist, lessons for the young musician, leotards for the dancer
• Time - who says you have to buy anything at all? Sometimes the best gift is just the gift of time. Do a holiday brunch or lunch for/with friends! You could buy or go Dutch...either way, you get to enjoy great food and company.

We want to take a minute to thank you for joining us the last 6 weeks for this series and hope that it's made an impact on your holiday thinking. Consumerism is at its height during the holidays and we're not buying it!

Happy gifting!