Clutter-Free Gift Giving

It's another Works-For-Me Wednesday. I've talked about this idea before around Christmas time, but it's an idea that works for me throughout the year! For more works-for-me ideas, visit We Are THAT Family.

I love giving Clutter-Free Gifts! Clutter-free gift giving is the act of gifting that does not add more stuff (often unneeded) to the recipients' homes. With clutter-free gift (CFG) giving, you can make the move away from the "materialistic focus" of gift-giving to a "love focus".

I divide the ideas into 5 sections:

• Experiences (family weekend at a water park, a day with grandma and grandpa at the zoo and a movie, a romantic weekend away with your spouse)


• Donations (give to you local food pantry as a family, sponsor a needy family during a holiday, make a donation in honor of a recipient)


• Consumables (gift cards, fruit of the month, certificate for cleaning services, memberships)


• Time (offer to watch a busy mom's kid while she take a day off or does some Christmas shopping), start a family night)


• Expressions of Love and Gratitude (letter, photo books, home-made calendar, coupon booklet)

If you like the idea of giving and getting less stuff, talk with family and friends about the ideas. What are you favorite CFG ideas?

I have shared over 100 CFG idea in my free guide book, Clutter-Free Gift Giving: Giving Love, Not Stuff.

Find out how you can get your copy here!

Check out my Countdown to Christmas organizing ideas.

Give Love, Not Stuff

It's another Works-For-Me Wednesday. I've talked about this idea before around Christmas time, but it's an idea that works for me throughout the year! For more works-for-me ideas, visit We Are THAT Family.

I love giving Clutter-Free Gifts! Clutter-free gift giving is the act of gifting that does not add more stuff (often unneeded) to the recipients' homes. With clutter-free gift (CFG) giving, you can make the move away from the "materialistic focus" of gift-giving to a "love focus".


I divide the ideas into 5 sections:

• Experiences (family weekend at a water park, a day with grandma and grandpa at the zoo and a movie, a romantic weekend away with your spouse)


• Donations (give to you local food pantry as a family, sponsor a needy family during a holiday, make a donation in honor of a recipient)


• Consumables (gift cards, fruit of the month, certificate for cleaning services, memberships)


• Time (offer to watch a busy mom's kid while she take a day off, start a family night)


• Expressions of Love and Gratitude (letter, photo books, home-made calendar, coupon booklet)

If you like the idea of giving and getting less stuff, talk with family and friends about the ideas. Mother's Day isn't too far off. Oh yeah, Father's Day is just around the corner, too. What are you favorite CFG ideas?

I have shared over 100 CFG idea in my free guide book, Clutter-Free Gift Giving: Giving Love, Not Stuff.

Find out how you can get your copy here!

Clutter-Free Gift Ideas: Expressions of Love and Gratitude

Tired of giving stuff? You can make the move away from the "materialistic focus" of gift-giving to a "love focus" with clutter-free gift giving.

Clutter-free gift (CFG) giving is the act of gifting items that do not add more stuff (often unneeded) to the recipient's' homes. Many CFGs also let the person know you were truly thinking about their likes, passions and interests.

I offered these 5 areas to think about: Experiences, Donations, Time, Consumables, and Expressions of your love and gratitude.Moving down the list, today I will be sharing a sampling of Expressions of Love and Gratitude.

If you really want to touch someone, tell them why they are an important part of your life. Let them know how grateful you are for who they are, the work that they do, or how they have touched your life.

Too often in our everyday busy lives we let these thoughts and words go unspoken.

Here just handful of ideas that I hope will help you on the path to expressive CFG ideas.

• Write a letter or poem expressing your gratitude. I am going to try this with my children's teachers this year.


• Create a picture slide show on a DVD.


• Create a photo book or calendar using an online program such as http://www.winkflash.com/, http://www.snapfish.com/, http://www.shutterfly.com/, etc.


• Make a memory jar. Think of all the wonderful memories you share with the recipient and write them on individual slips of paper. Then, fold the slips and place them in a jar or container. The person who receives this gift chooses and reads one slip a day (or opens them all at once because they just can’t wait, as my mom did).


• Give the gift of forgiveness to someone you had a falling out with and give it to yourself as well.

P.S. To make it easy and convenient for you, I have decided to put all of these wonderful clutter-free gift giving ideas, plus many more into one beautiful guide. I will be sending out this special gift with my December Newsletter.If you would like to receive The Clutter-Free Gift Giving Guide, just go here to sign up for my free monthly newsletter or go to the sign -up box on the right side bar.

Clutter-Free Gift Ideas: Consumables

Clutter-free gift giving works for me! Check out more Works-For-Me ideas!

Tired of giving stuff? You can make the move away from the "materialistic focus" of gift-giving to a "love focus" with clutter-free gift giving.

Clutter-free gift (CFG) giving is the act of gifting items that do not add more stuff (often unneeded) to the recipient's' homes. Many CFGs also let the person know you were truly thinking about their likes, passions and interests.

I offered these 5 areas to think about: Experiences, Donations, Time, Consumables, and Expressions of your love and gratitude.

Moving down the list, today I will be sharing a sampling of Consumable CFG ideas (there are just so many!).......

Consumables are gifts that can be used up. Gift cards or certificates are typical consumable CFGs, but there are many more possibilities. You may come up with luxury idea or practical idea. Think about the items that someone might already buy for themselves.

Also keep in mind those things they have expressed an interest in, but for one reason or another, they don’t buy or do those thing for themselves. Moms are often known for “going without” for the sake of their family or they simply feel guilty giving themselves something, the time, or the permission.

Here are some ideas that I hope will help you generate even more unique consumable CFG ideas for those people in your life.

Gift cards or certificates for:

• Restaurants



• Retail shops



• Food stores



• Movie theaters



• Sporting event/recreation

Membership for:

• Zoos



• Museums



• Amusement parks



• Gift-of-the-month clubs

More great ideas:

• Make extra food to stock someone’s freezer. This is a great gift of time and consumables!



• Share your best assortment of homemade Christmas cookies



• Professional organizing services. Please make sure the recipient is comfortable with this idea prior to purchasing. This can be a sensitive area for many and you don’t want to offend. If this is an area you would love to have help with, be sure to let your loved ones know!
  
  To locate a professional organizer, visit The National Association of Professional Organizers at http://www.napo.net/ or contact me at http://www.stuff2borganized.com/ –I offer various levels of organizing services and would be happy to help you find the right fit.

Please share your consumable gift ideas! More clutter-free gift ideas to come.........

P.S. To make it easy and convenient for you, I have decided to put all of these wonderful clutter-free gift giving ideas, plus many more into one beautiful guide. I will be sending out this special gift with my December Newsletter.

If you would like to receive The Clutter-Free Gift Giving Guide, just go here to sign up for my free monthly newsletter or go to the sign -up box on the right side bar.

The Clutter-Free Gift Giving Guide

Clutter-free gift giving: I've been talking a lot about this topic, both on my blog and in person. I've been sharing ideas and hearing even more great ideas from you and friends.

To make it easy and convenient for you, I have decided to put all of these wonderful clutter-free gift giving ideas, plus many more into one beautiful guide. I will be sending out this special gift with my December Newsletter.

If you would like to receive The Clutter-Free Gift Giving Guide, just go here to sign up for my free monthly newsletter or go to the sign -up box on the right side bar.

Clutter-Free Gift Ideas: Time

Clutter-free gift giving works for me! Check out more Works-For-Me ideas!

Tired of giving stuff? You can make the move away from the "materialistic focus" of gift-giving to a "love focus" with clutter-free gift giving.

Clutter-free gift (CFG) giving is the act of gifting items that do not add more stuff (often unneeded) to the recipient's' homes. Many CFGs also let the person know you were truly thinking about their likes, passions and interests.

I offered these 5 areas to think about: Experiences, Donations, Time, Consumables, and Expressions of your love and gratitude.

Moving down the list, today I will be sharing 5 great CFG ideas related to time..

1. Volunteer your time at a soup kitchen.
   
2. Offer to help wrap presents for your family and friends.


3. Surprise a busy mom by offering to watch her children so she is can have an afternoon to herself.


4. Set up a day for your friends to finish their holiday shopping and preparations while you watch their children (see example below).


5. Offer to provide transportation for someone who is unable to drive them self so they can do their weekly shopping, errands or appointments.

Because it's a little tricky to wrap time in a box, you can get creative with how you present such gifts. For example, letters, cards, or coupon booklets work well. Here's an example of a letter I sent to three of our dear friends just last week.

Please share your time gift ideas! More clutter-free gift ideas to come.........

Clutter-Free Gift Ideas: Donations

Clutter-free gift giving works for me! Check out more Works-For-Me ideas!

Last week I challenged you to move away from the "materialistic focus" of gift-giving to a "love focus" with clutter-free gift giving. Clutter-free gift (CFGs) giving is the act of gifting items that do not add more stuff (often unneeded) to the recipient's' homes

Many CFGs also let the person know you were truly thinking about their likes, passions and interests.

I offered these 5 areas to think about: Experiences, Donations, Consumables, Time and Expressions of your love and gratitude.

Moving down the list, today I will sharing ideas about clutter-free gift ideas in the area of donations. Make a donation in a loved one's name or memory. Also, think about giving for the benefit of others who don't even know you.

Local Food Pantries. Many households use the help of food pantries to provide meals for their families. Food pantries are reporting low supplies, especially at this time of the year.

Sponsor a Family. Is there a family who could use extra help this year making ends meet? Check with your local churches or agencies for ideas.

Cancer Research. Has a family member or friend been affected by an illness or cancer? Make a donation in their honor or in memory of a loved one.

International Groups. There are so many non-profit organizations that reach people around the globe that are truly in need of the basic life necessities, such as clean water, food, shelter, medicine, clothing, and education. Here are just a few examples:

1. Heifer International
2. Food for the Poor
3. ELCA Good Gifts
4. Play Pumps

Local Organizations. Don't forget about those non-profit programs that make a difference in your community, too. Here are some quick ideas:

1. Library (public and school)
2. Boys and Girl's Clubs
3. Women's Shelters
4. Soup Kitchens
5. Hospice

Please share your donation gift ideas! More clutter-free gift ideas to come.........

Clutter-Free Gift Ideas: Give The Gift of Experiences

I really like gifts of experiences because the memories last forever (and don't contribute to clutter).

5 Clutter-Free Experience Gift Ideas

1. A mini family retreat to a indoor water park. My kids love this!


2. A girls night out for your friends-you pay for dinner or appetizers and the first round of cocktails.


3. Skydiving! My husband and brother did this for their father on father's day.


4. A special weekend with grandma and grandpa (great gift for the kiddos AND mom & dad!).


5. A romantic sleigh ride with your loved one with a stop for hot cider. If you live where there is no snow, you could take a ride by carriage.

Please share your experience gift ideas! More clutter-free gift ideas to come.........

A Gift That Gets the Kids (and You) Moving

Children love opening presents and receiving the fun stuff! There is the good stuff and then there is the not-so-good stuff that just ends up adding to the clutter. When I give material gifts, I go for the ones that allows them to think, be active and creative. I tend to buy a lot of games, books, and craft projects.

I am taking part in the Works for Me Wednesday challenge: Toys Worth Buying. Here goes.

Hyper-Dash

My brother-in-law gave my daughter Hyper-Dash for her 6th birthday (thank you Uncle Tyler!). Hyper-Dash is an game that consists of 5 colored targets and an hand-held unit.

You place the 5 targets around the room, house, or yard. The unit gives commands to tag the specified target that each player must complete. The goal is to have the fastest time. There are four game modes that challenge your speed, skill, memory, coordination and teamwork.

Why I love Hyper Dash

• It's a game that get the kids and adults moving.


• It doesn't take up a lot of room.


• It has various levels, so it grows with your children.


• It is reasonably priced at $15 to $20.

We've played this game with our friends even when the kids were not around. It's also an unique gift to give to other families. My friend actually requested this game for her daughter's birthday present (she played it at our house at kid less gathering).

P.S. Looking to give less stuff this year? Check out my Clutter-Free Gift Giving Ideas too! Share your clutter-free ideas!

Challenge: Clutter-Free Gift Giving

The state of the economy is heavy on consumer's minds this Christmas season. Some spenders plan to reduce their budget, while others do not. I would like to suggest that the attention put on financials could actually be a positive. Yes, it might be a good thing.... for the spirit of Christmas.

This year, I challenge you to move away from the "materialistic focus" of gift-giving to a "love focus." Instead of giving stuff, give the gift of time, experiences and gratitude. Don't buy a gift, just to get another person crossed off your list.

Easy Action Steps to Clutter-Free Gift Giving

1. Make a list of those you would like to give a gift to.


2. Really think about each recipient. What are their likes and dislikes? What are their hobbies? What dreams have they talked about? Brain storm on paper or the computer and an idea or clue might pop up.


3. Make a list of your top 3 ideas for each person. Pick one for this year and file the list away for the next gift giving opportunity.


4. Add to your list throughout the year.

Clutter-Free Gift Ideas to Get You Thinking

1. Experiences
   
2. Donations


3. Consumables


4. Time
   
5. Expressions of your love and gratitude

Will you join me in this challenge? I will be posting 5 ideas for each area in the days to come. Come back often and share your clutter-free gift ideas!