I love all of these ideas, Brooke. I definitely try to go down the route of experiences or buying something that people need. For a friend's birthday this year I spent the six months prior visiting op shops (no hardship, love an op shop browse 🤣) and buying books as she and I love reading and often have great 'book chats'! In each book I wrote a note on where and when I had purchased it and why I thought she would like it. On her birthday she had a surprise box of 25 books all individually wrapped to open. She loved it and I loved the journey it took me on. 💚📚
How fun is an op shop browse?! The best! And when you're looking for books? Even better! This is such a lovely gift idea - I'm 100% confident I'll be using it at some point. Thnk you for sharing 💚💚
We do a new twist on the “something to” - something to read, something to wear, something for you (whatever small crappy toy that they MUST have and I’m ok with that once a year - inevitably costs less than $20) and something to share. The something to share is a family weekend away somewhere that the kids choose and help plan. We spend roughly what we would otherwise spend on “stuff” for 3 kids and 2 adults and end up having epic experiences. Last year it was a weekend at the “worlds” on the Gold Coast, this year they have chosen a weekend in Sydney. Pays huge dividends in memories, and the anticipation for all of us far outweighs any soon to be forgotten toy.
I love this Ange! I think balance and compromise are important, and I think having boundaries around what we will and won't buy matters not only for us, but for our kids too. And then to take some of the money you would otherwise spend and use it to create experiences and memories - it's a powerful way of showing them that what we choose to do with our time and energy and money matters. 💚💚
Great ideas! We just had a family meeting and decided that in addition to stockings and 1 small gift each, we will be content with a very small tree, so as to splurge on a family surfboard and boogie board, so we can spend lots of active time together on the beautiful water. We’re also going big on A Christmas Carol, with a cosy Dramatic Reading Evening.
Yes to a family boogie board and surfboard! The hours you'll spend on those will add up to so much more than the little gifts. I love this so much and it's the perfect example of how stuff can also be an experience. 💚
The 7 adults in my family each draw one person for a holiday gift. We have themes (all selected by me I just realize), and all but one (as seen on social media) - have tried to shift consumerism.
We did - something you own/regift
Something consumable (the edible crickets were actually a hit lol)
This year we are doing something charitable.
We are all in the position to buy what we want and this has allowed us to celebrate and have fun with a small token.
I love this idea a lot. I've already told our kids that next year (this year felt like a stretch) everything we give will be handmade or second-hand. Will be fun to see how it works out.
I love all of these ideas, Brooke. I definitely try to go down the route of experiences or buying something that people need. For a friend's birthday this year I spent the six months prior visiting op shops (no hardship, love an op shop browse 🤣) and buying books as she and I love reading and often have great 'book chats'! In each book I wrote a note on where and when I had purchased it and why I thought she would like it. On her birthday she had a surprise box of 25 books all individually wrapped to open. She loved it and I loved the journey it took me on. 💚📚
How fun is an op shop browse?! The best! And when you're looking for books? Even better! This is such a lovely gift idea - I'm 100% confident I'll be using it at some point. Thnk you for sharing 💚💚
What an absolutely beautiful thing to do Carolyn 🥰
We do a new twist on the “something to” - something to read, something to wear, something for you (whatever small crappy toy that they MUST have and I’m ok with that once a year - inevitably costs less than $20) and something to share. The something to share is a family weekend away somewhere that the kids choose and help plan. We spend roughly what we would otherwise spend on “stuff” for 3 kids and 2 adults and end up having epic experiences. Last year it was a weekend at the “worlds” on the Gold Coast, this year they have chosen a weekend in Sydney. Pays huge dividends in memories, and the anticipation for all of us far outweighs any soon to be forgotten toy.
I love this Ange! I think balance and compromise are important, and I think having boundaries around what we will and won't buy matters not only for us, but for our kids too. And then to take some of the money you would otherwise spend and use it to create experiences and memories - it's a powerful way of showing them that what we choose to do with our time and energy and money matters. 💚💚
This is so brilliant Ange, what a great idea!
Great ideas! We just had a family meeting and decided that in addition to stockings and 1 small gift each, we will be content with a very small tree, so as to splurge on a family surfboard and boogie board, so we can spend lots of active time together on the beautiful water. We’re also going big on A Christmas Carol, with a cosy Dramatic Reading Evening.
Yes to a family boogie board and surfboard! The hours you'll spend on those will add up to so much more than the little gifts. I love this so much and it's the perfect example of how stuff can also be an experience. 💚
The 7 adults in my family each draw one person for a holiday gift. We have themes (all selected by me I just realize), and all but one (as seen on social media) - have tried to shift consumerism.
We did - something you own/regift
Something consumable (the edible crickets were actually a hit lol)
This year we are doing something charitable.
We are all in the position to buy what we want and this has allowed us to celebrate and have fun with a small token.
I love this idea a lot. I've already told our kids that next year (this year felt like a stretch) everything we give will be handmade or second-hand. Will be fun to see how it works out.
This is such a great idea Kristen!
A wonderful range of ideas Brooke. Thank you for taking the time to curate this. ❤️
Thanks for these wonderful ideas Brooke! Would you mind suggesting some of your fav Xmas movies and Xmas tunes? X
Brooke. This is an AMAZING list!! My absolute favourite! Thank you for taking the time to put it together.