When I created a poll on Instagram, over 80% of you responded that you loved seeing gift guides!
Of course, I couldn’t just do it the same ol’ way. I had to put my own spin on it! We stopped exchanging gifts in our family long ago and have opted to celebrate holidays and special occasions by giving or creating experiences for one another.
If we do exchange gifts, we typically do so through fun and affordable games like White Elephant. I’ve written this guide to be inclusive of all family traditions or perhaps to inspire you to start a new one!
Click on a category below to jump to it.
Charitable Gifts
Operation Santa
Did you know that you can “adopt” real letters to Santa and make a child’s wish list come true? The US Post Office allows you to read real letters to Santa, purchase the items in the letter and ship them directly to the child’s home. You can sign up here.
For additional ideas for being charitable over the holidays, I love using this site here to find and verify organizations.
Family Experiences
Volunteer Locally using Volunteer Match
Experiences for Couples
Gifts for the Host
Gifts for Him
Gifts for Her
Gifts for Teens
Gifts for Kids
Gifts for Pets
Gifting from Small Businesses
Pets
Florals & Home Decor
Textiles & Clothing
Personalized Gifts
Unique Ways to Gift
White Elephant
Every few years, we’ll opt to get gifts but we do so by playing White Elephant! It’s fun and inexpensive. Read up on the full rules here.
Secret Santa
I’m sure most people are familiar with this one. You can even use this site to help you organize it!
Trades
This works a bit like “Secret Santa” except that you gift something that you already have. This works well for families with older or grown children and is a great opportunity for parents and grandparents to pass down meaningful mementos to younger generations.
All For One
Instead of exchanging gifts, each participant contributes to the cost of a group activity – a weekend away, a family cooking class, etc.
Let’s be neighbors! Follow me on Instagram @goldcoastcanvas for more home decor conversations.
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