More Meaningful Gift Giving

Most of the family members we give birthday or Christmas gifts to are adults. Most of them don't need anything. And every year I tell myself that we are not going to spend a lot of money. Last year I didn't listen! So this year, we are doing something different. You can use any of these ideas for any gift-giving occasion.

 Birthdays: 

• For adults: We are giving the gift of service. Not just any service. A meaningful service that correlates with the personality, likes, and hobbies that birthday guy or gal enjoys. Of course, you can give a variety of service to your family member that lives close. All of my family lives far away, so we are following the lead of the Gates Family (although they do this for Christmas) and giving service in honor of that far-away person. Then we will send them a nice letter detailing the story of our service-gift to them.  

       -On a side note, last year for my 30th birthday I rang it in by doing 30 acts of service in 30 days. It was a wonderful and amazing way to celebrate my birthday. I asked everyone on Facebook to do an act of service, also, for my birthday in hopes of having another 30 acts of service. It was a blessing to hear how those I love were serving others in my name. I got this idea from Thomas S. Monson, our beloved prophet, who a few years ago said that when people asked him what he wanted for his birthday, he wanted others to serve, plus a blog post by someone else (sorry I don't have the link) who said they spent their birthday doing random acts of kindness. Love it!

Drinking my free birthday Slurpee; I picked up trash at 7-11 as one of my acts of service.
Disclaimer: My birthday is 7-11 and anyone can get a free Slurpee that day. This was not payment for service.

• For kids: Instead of spending tons of money on a birthday party and presents, plus having everyone else bring more toys that your child probably does not need, there are several options that involve charity.                                 

         -ECHOage allows the child register for one big present as well as a charity of their choice. Guests get an invite to donate online, money goes to both the present and the charity. Win-win!
         -Have your child ask for a specific item to be donated to a specific charity. I read a story many years ago about a little girl who asked for shoes for her birthday to donate to children in Africa. I think she got over 300 pairs. Several other children have requested shoes for their birthday for a variety of local organizations. Other ideas: ask for toys, blankets, books or clothes for shelters or Children's hospitals, stuffed animals for the local police department for children involved in trauma, or school supplies for a school in a poor area.

         -Request Christmas boxes in lieu of gifts (even if your child's birthday is not near Christmas).  My ward (church) made over 75 Christmas boxes for 2013. While you can send boxes to foreign countries through Samaritan's Purse, we donated ours to local elementary schools. The boxes were sent home with children enrolled in the Backpack program (children who won't have food over the weekend get a backpack full of food to take home.)

         -This mommy has a list of great ideas for each age to have a "less presents" birthday celebration

Christmas: Christmas has become so commercialized! Even with making homemade gifts, it is easy to get carried away with all the STUFF. Instead of spending money on more stuff people don't need, we are going to donate to charity in their name. Here are some great charitable gift ideas we might use:

• animals for families in places like Africa through World Vision-you can buy anything from chickens to goats to pigs or cows. The animals will not only provide food for these families but they can sell milk, eggs and cheese to provide for their families in the future
• insecticide treated mosquito nets for families in Africa to prevent malaria through the United Nations Nothing but nets program
• a well for clean water in Africa through the Water Project.

                  These are just a few ideas. Again, you can still make this personal. If someone loves animals, buy animals (above) or donate to the National Zoo. If they love camping, donate mosquito nets. There are a plethera of local, national, and world-wide charities that could use donations more than your sister can use a new Ipod.

What is your favorite non-stuff gift to give?

Craftnanigans & Snazzysauce