A few years ago, I heard about a woman who chose only to give consumable gifts. Her rationale was simple – since she didn’t want extra “stuff” in her home, she didn’t want to give others extra “stuff” either.
Her logic resonated with me. While holiday trinkets may be charming – and some of them definitely are – does anyone truly need another candy dish, picture frame, or mismatched mug? Even certain useful gifts like blankets, socks, or gloves end up being just another item to put away.
I am all about simplifying and decluttering – in fact, I’ve already declared it will be my personal theme and goal in the new year. So getting more stuff does not excite me. And if I give people more stuff, I feel like I’m adding more of a clutter burden in their lives.
So I’m switching over to consumable gifts. If it can be used and disposed, fantastic! My favorite consumable gift ideas include food and drinks. Some other ideas include:
- Candles.
- Body lotion.
- Lip balm.
- Gift cards! (My personal favorite. I know they can be considered as thoughtless gifts, but I so rarely splurge on things and I like having a reason to go out to eat or shop.)
- Ultra practical gifts like windshield wiper fluid and sidewalk salt are very un-fun, but handy for people living in icy, snowy regions. (You’ll think kindly of the gift giver when you can see out of your windshield on an icy night.)
Help get my creative juices flowing! There are so many other fantastic consumable gift ideas out there, and I know I’m missing a ton … what are some of your favorites?
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Kristy K says
On my list each year are post it notes, Sharpie markers, etc… I use them almost daily and hate to run out. :)
Tauni says
I love giving (and receiving!) consumable gifts as well. I try to make the majority, if not all, of my gifts consumable. Some of my favorites include:
-homemade dog treats
-chocolate dipped/filled strawberries (or other chocolate-dipped fruit)
-individual cake in a jar/can
-sewing cute dish towels to a potholder to hang on the oven handle (everyone I have given these to just love them!)
-Netflix/Hulu subscription (I try to avoid gift cards too… But you’re right, sometimes they can be very appreciated. I would love to receive a grocery store gift card.)
-homemade infused olive oils, or fancy salad dressings
-flavored butters (basil, raspberry, cinnamon, orange-honey, herbed, garlic, etc)
-treating someone to a meal and spending time together
-printer ink and some cute paper
-a dry-cleaners gift card (boring, but depending on the right person, I think it would be appreciated. I have stuff to take to the dry cleaners, but am too cheap to take it myself. Haha!)
-stamps. Not all people partake in online bill pay ;)
-services (like cleaning house, detailing a vehicle, maintaining lawn, child/pet/house sitting, etc)
-SodaStream CO2 cartridges and flavorings (for those that use them)
-depending on the person/circumstance, a “Necessities Basket.” For example, a new homeowner, bride, or college student might appreciate a basket filled with toilet paper, napkins, paper towels, cleaning supplies, Ziplocs, foil/plastic wrap, dish scrubber, soap, Kleenex, ice cube trays, laundry soap/quarters, picture tacks/nails, spices.
-I’m a real tightwad… so if someone gave me some high-end toilet paper, a case of Coca-Cola, or a tank of gas, I would be thrilled and so thankful!
It’s also important to assess how your gifts are received. In the past, I have spent hours creating loving homemade gifts only to notice the recipient/s still hadn’t used it a year (or more) later. That is crushing :( So make sure you spend time on those who will appreciate your gestures!
Hilary Kimes Bernstein says
I love, love, love these ideas, Tauni!! I will be using them in December …
Juliet says
Family fun night gift certificates (pizza and bowling, for example). I fill stockings with favorite food treats and my dad is always happy to get his mom’s chocolate chip cookie dough balls (frozen), so he can have fresh cookies whenever he wants.
Hilary Kimes Bernstein says
I love these ideas, Juliet! Thanks for sharing!