As I begin to make my annual Christmas list (for giving, not receiving)  I begin to think about the idea of stuff.  Do my loved ones really need more stuff?  Does my son need more stuff?  We are all really at the point in our lives when we purchase things for ourselves when we need them.  Looking at in another way, what do we need?  Random stuff?  Probably not.  To say that this year has been a crazy one is a major understatement.  As we were all forced to spend more and more time at home with our belongings, did we look around and think about all the stuff we don’t have?  I’m thinking it's just the opposite.  I am willing to bet that we looked around and were faced with the need to declutter.  To minimize and simplify.  Having recently moved, I had a garage full of boxes needing to be reduced and neatly stored away.  I didn’t need to keep my college textbooks from 30 years ago.  I don’t really need my 1990’s cassette tapes.  But I digress.  This really isn’t a post about decluttering.  I really want to talk about a different kind of gift-giving this holiday season.

I’ve never been one to rush out in the Black Friday frenzy to get the biggest, newest, “gotta have it” gift. But inevitably, my son always asks for some crazy expensive newly released piece of technology for Christmas.  Wanting to make Christmas “magical” for him, we usually try to make at least one big fun gift happen for him.  Does he smile with excitement upon opening it Christmas morning?  Yes!  Does he play with it for about five days, after which time it gathers dust in his closet (or the floor of his bedroom)? Yes!  I’ve read a number of holiday social media posts about a gift-giving guide for our children.  It’s a basic guideline that suggests giving one thing from each of the following categories: something you want, something you need, something you wear, and something you read.  I like this as a place to start thinking about minimizing, but it's so hard to strike a balance.  When we see our friends (and his friends) go all out for Christmas morning with piles and piles of gifts waiting for their children under the tree, it's hard to not feel a sense of guilt giving just four simple gifts.  But is it possible to still create the holiday magic with simpler, more meaningful gifts of quality instead of quantity without spending so much money? I really believe it really is possible.

Some of my favorite gifts to give (and receive) are experiences.  I’ve given the typical restaurant gift cards, which are always welcomed, in addition to gifts of massages or other spa treatments.  For several years I gave my niece various nights out with me.  We went to concerts, stayed overnight in hotels getting room service, and pampered ourselves with pedicures.  It was so fun and a great bonding experience for us.  My mom gives my niece a girls shopping trip each year that my sister and I get to join. Unfortunately, COVID has halted much of these this past year, including a much-anticipated trip to Scotland and London to celebrate her 16th birthday.  But I still think moderate travel getaways would make excellent gifts.  I’m thinking of a cabin rental, a trip to the beach during off-season when the crowds aren’t there (and the rooms are cheaper), or just a drive to look at scenery with a picnic lunch or an overnight stay.  

Despite the current disruption of concerts, plane travel, and shopping trips, I am determined to be a creative, thoughtful gift-giver this year.  When it comes to the adults in my life, the more I think about it, what we all need right now is a little more self care. I continue to be intrigued by the concept of Hygge (pronounced HOO-gah) which I talked about in another post here:

https://www.candicesuarez.com/blog/a-change-of-seasons

What better gift to give right now than a little Hygge.  Helping someone to create a cozy retreat in their home as we are heading into the colder, darker season of the year is such a thoughtful gift.  The possibilities are endless!  Since I first was introduced to the concept of Hygge, a wonderful person who fully embraces it (you know who you are), gave me the book, The Little Book of Hygge, Danish Secrets to Happy Living by Meik Wiking.  The book references the Hygge wishlist of ten things that will make your home more Hygellig.  This seems like a good place to start my Christmas gift-giving list.  Some of the things on the list, such as a physical nook in your home and a fireplace, are not easily wrapped in paper and put under the tree. But candles, things made from wood, items from nature, books, ceramics, tactile items, vintage pieces, and blankets and cushions would make wonderful gifts.  I’m also thinking of tea (and tea pots and tea cups), good chocolate, soup or stew kits, cozy warm socks, sweaters, cozy wraps or scarves, or a beautiful journal.  Toys for children of all ages don’t have to be electronic, plastic or shiny. They could be simple, warm or from nature, meant to spark creativity and imagination.

So whether you’re contemplating gifts for the children, teens or adult loved ones in your lives, I ask you to join me in considering giving a little warmth and coziness this year. The Hygge gifts can easily be adapted for anyone on your list. Celebrating the holiday with a reminder to take care of ourselves and the ones we love is a great start.