A whole-hearted guide to Christmas gift giving

It’s that “most wonderful time of year” again… although recent world events and the rising cost of living may have you feeling less than wonderful as you consider your Christmas gift list this year.

Overstretching your budget, battling crowded shopping centres, or stressing out about how you may be judged, can really take the joy out of things, so let’s get back to basics here…

At its heart, giving gifts, even to clients and colleagues, is meant to be an expression of LOVE in some form – be that affection, appreciation, kindness, concern, or delighting in other people’s reactions. So think carefully about why you’re giving each gift.

It shouldn’t be a way to show off your good taste or financial success, compete for attention, fulfill an obligation, or take revenge (yep, revenge giving is a thing!)

Then there’s the sustainability issue. Do we really need to be buying more “stuff” that people don’t want or need, just because it’s a social norm?

I love giving gifts as much as the next person, so this isn’t about going all Scrooge. It’s about carefully considering whether you need to give a gift, choosing something that will be genuinely appreciated, and hopefully doing a little good in the world at the same time.

Here are some ideas to help you take a more “wholehearted” approach to Christmas gift giving this year:

Less is more
Lots of presents under the tree or in a Santa stocking may look magical, but will they actually bring lots of joy – not just on this one day, but for days/months/years to come? Think about the whole life cycle of items. Are they going to last without breaking in 30 seconds flat? Will they be rapidly outgrown or discarded as soon as a trend passes? Can they be used and appreciated over and over again? Will they bring a smile to someone’s face when they remember this gift came from you? Maybe just one special gift (OK, a few for the kids) is the way to go.

Pool your resources
With this in mind, consider whether a group of you could go in together for a more expensive gift or special experience that the receiver would appreciate far more than lots of individual gifts. This is a great idea for teachers, who really don’t need another coffee mug, picture frame or box of chocolates! A generous voucher for a local day spa, restaurant or boutique from the whole class will be appreciated far more.

Bring “vintage” back

Go op-shopping for something unusual and second hand. There are so many really cool, pre-loved things around wearing the patina of age or the nostalgia of bygone eras. Or barely used items waiting to become someone else’s treasure. Ditch the expectation that gifts need to be “new” and have some fun exploring. You might even end up with some fun tales about your adventures.

Support the village

As small business owners, we know how incredibly good it feels when someone buys our “thing”, whatever that is. So why not share these feel-good feelings around?

Shop small and local, especially in those shops you love having in your community and you’d like to stick around. Visit a local market or fair and support the many talented stall holders. For hard-to-buy-for people, research smaller shops in their local area and buy a gift voucher (I have also done this for referral gifts). If you really MUST buy a big brand item (after all, is it really Christmas without Lego?), look beyond the major stores to smaller specialty shops, franchises or online retailers owned by small businesses.

Your village may also be your business networks, so remember to support people you know and love buy purchasing goods and services from their businesses.

Give memories

Most of us tend to buy the “things” we need ourselves. What we don’t often do is prioritise having “experiences” that bring us joy. There are so many small business owners running tours, events and facilities you could support – from whale watching to axe throwing! Or perhaps your receiver would love a zoo, museum or gallery membership. Or a night out at a concert or the theatre. You could even organise to enjoy the experience together ­– and make them shared memories.

Go gourmet

Whether for gifts or catering your events, there are loads of small, local providores making all sorts of goodies. The best benefit of edible (and other consumable items) is that you’re not cluttering up your recipients’ homes with unwanted “stuff”. That, and they’re delicious!

Make something

Oh, you’re a time-poor business owner! Forget that one

Remember, gift giving is meant to celebrate the importance of a relationship and bring both you and the gift receiver JOY. If you achieve can that, with or without gifts, your holiday season will indeed be merry.

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