Did you look at the pile of Christmas presents you got this year and feel slightly disappointed? According to Staples, 56% of people surveyed receive at least one unwanted gift during the holidays, and reducing this waste can improve the wellness of your wallet, as well as your family wellness – do you want to beat your partner round the head with yet another pair of novelty socks?
As a giver, the first thing to focus on in giving someone something they want. If you’re not great at this, there are plenty of specialised gift guides online that can give you inspiration and ideas, and there are interactive ones which generate personalized ideas based on the information you provide about the person you’re buying for. Next, look after the wellbeing of your bank balance by making your loved ones gifts. Even if you aren’t particularly inventive, there are loads of DIY guides that can help you create budget friendly, and personalised gifts and some sites provide you with eco-friendly, hand-crafted gifts that your family and friends are sure to love. Why not give the gift of time or talent and offer to babysit or wash the car?
As a receiver of gifts, it’s easier to ensure your gifts aren’t wasted. Re-giving presents has a bad reputation but surely it’s just efficient recycling and if you don’t like it, why shouldn’t someone else appreciate it instead? Otherwise, recycle gifts the old-fashioned way or think of a creative new purpose for them. You can definitely recycle or reuse wrapping paper, tags, bows and ribbons. If you really can’t bring yourself to love your present, and you can’t think of anyone else who would, be honest and return it so you can get something you will use. You can also donate any unwanted gifts to charity shops.
However, if you really want to save money and wastage, and you know you’re difficult to buy for; lists aren’t just for Father Christmas. Tell your loved ones what you want if they don’t ever get it right and ask them to do the same. It may not seem ‘Christmassy’ but surely you’ll hurt their feelings less by asking for what you want, then by chucking the things you don’t.
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