A Thoughtful Friend

A friend texted me the other day...

"Hi Glorya, I want to buy you a present for Sam. But with your minimalist desires, I don't want to get something you don't need or want. Is there anything you need?"

How very thoughtful!

I suggested some baby wipes. Or a long sleeve jumpsuit.

She bought me both.

I love it when friends and family are very accommodating of my "unusual hobby".

Minimal Presents at Christmas

Minimising presents for Christmas...

1. One book & one toy for Son
2. One book & one toy for Daughter
3. One cycling related item for Husband
4. One book & one toy for my Niece
5. One book each for my four god-children

DONE!!!!

Gift Box

I have a gift box up on my wardrobe shelf that houses gifts for most occasions.

A friend I used to meet up one-on-one to read the bible with told me that her mother had a Gift Box and she had got her current wallet from there (She had to put $20 back in). I thought, "WOW! so organised" But now I realise you have No Choice when you have kids, because gone are the days when you just "Pop In" to the shops. This is good in many ways - you don't waste as much money! But it also means you have to be organised because you can't just duck out every time you need a present for an occasion.

When I have the opportunity, I jump on it and spend $$$ to stock up.

While it is not "Minimal" in that there are many things in there...it IS minimal in that it minimises Stress, Time and Hassle! Plus I try stocking up when sales are on.

What's in there:

1. Baby gifts - when people have babies. So there are bonds suits (about 20), plus books & crayons for the older siblings.

2. Lego - about 5 or 6 boxes. This sets up my 5 yr old son for friends' birthday parties for a couple of months.

3. Olive soap - beautiful, soft, non-toxic stuff. You can even wash your hair with it.

4. Books - mostly kids' books.

5. Art prints - from the Art Gallery of NSW. About $30.

6. Jewellery (not re-gifted!) - bangles, necklace, earrings. I recently took one out to keep for myself (oops!)

7. Stuff from the Art Scene in West Ryde - a lovely little art/framing shop with really cool things for kids e.g. fat crayons, vintage paper boats, water paints, colouring in books.
Here's a link to their website: Art Scene

8. Perfume - for men.

Re-Gifting

I have no qualms about re-gifting.

But I want to understand why people find it so irksome and embarrassing. Is it because they don't want to seem stingy? Or is it because it's not a personalised gift?

I don't understand the fuss, really. Someone gives you something you don't need or like. You say "thank you", you pretend you like it, then you keep it and store it for the rest of your life because re-gifting seems rude and you don't want to offend the Giver.

This is illogical to me.

Why not give it to someone else, who will like it, use it and not WASTE it.

It's the thought that counts, right? Yes, I have received your thoughts of love and generosity... and now I can move the gift along to someone who will actually use it, and I don't have to store it. I have stored the warm feelings on the inside :)

Things I have re-gifted:

1. Books - If I already have it, I'm not going to keep it just to not offend!

2. Jewellery - It's such a personal thing with jewellery. Even Husband gets it wrong sometimes ;) I usually ask someone if they want it.

3. Perfume - I don't wear perfume anymore.

4. Baby stuff - too small or double-ups.

5. Platters - I got given 17 platters for my Engagement party. I don't need 17 platters!

6. Dessert wine - Too sweet.

7. Purse - Not my colour. Too small.

Now, the problem with this post is that from now on, all the gifts I give to my friends, they are going to wonder if it has been re-gifted!!

Special thanks to my friend Marinka for post idea.

Gifts

People give me Gifts. There are very generous people in my life. But how I wish they wouldn't! But I don't know how to explain politely that I don't need Stuff anymore.

I'm thinking of being very specific and asking for Experience Gifts.

Movie tickets
Theatre tickets
Opera tickets
Ballet tickets
Concert tickets
Plane tickets (!)
Lunch out at a restaurant
Voucher to a facial or massage
Hair treatment
Harbour bridge climb

When I survey the stuff around my house, a lot of it has been given to me. It's like other (well-meaning) people get to define what my house looks and feels like. I used to feel bad about this and hold on to a lot of things. But moving a few times (10 years of marriage = 6 houses), help to clarify what I really NEED and what I really LIKE. The rest can go.

Here are some present ideas for Kids:

Movie ticket
Lunch out at their favourite restaurant
Coffee date at the local cafe
Visit to the zoo
Visit to the farm
Ferry ride
Bike ride at Homebush Bicentennial Park
Bus trip into the city
Australian Museum
Powerhouse Museum
Maritime Museum
Botanical Gardens
Art Gallery of NSW
State Library
Sydney Observatory (There's a Lego Room there!!!) Lego fun at Sydney Observatory

One of my friends at church told me that her mum's gifts to her three boys is a Special Day out with Grandma. She doesn't give them Stuff. She doesn't give them Toys. She takes them out on a special trip, and takes photos on the trip, prints the photos and gives them to the boys as part of the Present. I LOVE this!!!

Link to another post: Byron's blog: Nothing New Under the Sun

*Picture: I can't wait till I can take my little girl (now 2) to the ballet. Maybe when she is 6.