Gifts that Won't Add to the Clutter - The Six O'Clock Scramble

GIFTS THAT WON'T ADD TO THE CLUTTER

While I love the joyous spirit that comes from exchanging gifts with loved ones, the anti-clutter part of me dreads the prospect of having to find places for more things—in my house, we are already up to our eyeballs in stuff. In the hopes that others may welcome gifts high in thoughtfulness but low in bulk, I’m making a list of gifts that won’t take up much space. A huge added benefit is that most of these gifts are environmentally friendly.

For the kids, we’re buying tickets for special events. We’re treating Celia to an evening at the ballet to see the Nutcracker, and we’re taking Solomon to the premiere of a new dragon adventure movie. Other non-space consuming gifts include gift certificates for online music, DVDs of their favorite movies, and a giant Hershey’s Kiss (that will disappear in no time!). We’re also “adopting” an endangered animal for each of them from the Defenders of Wildlife (www.defendersofwildlife.org).

For my sister and friends, I’ll give gift certificates to coffee shops and for manicures and pedicures, coupons for free babysitting, movie tickets, and luxurious and earth-friendly bath oils and lotions from the environment- and skin-friendly company, Earth Essentials (www.earthessentials.com). If I didn’t already force them to subscribe, I’d give them gift subscriptions to The Six O’Clock Scramble, too.

My husband, Andrew, and I, have agreed that neither of us wants any more stuff. Instead, we need a new place to store the stuff we already have! Rather than exchanging gifts, we are going shopping together to replace the rickety dressers we bought 15 years ago, back when we still thought our futon was comfortable. Other space-saving gifts for spouses include gift certificates for massages, framed family pictures, a coupon for a special date night out (either to a restaurant, ice skating, or an art gallery), or tickets to sporting events, concerts or plays.

For my colleagues and our kids’ teachers, I’ll give shade-grown coffee (it’s bird-friendly), organic fruit, rainforest chocolate, fragrant teas, and homemade breads and soups. The only room they will have to find for these delicious treats is in my favorite storage space—the stomach!