Holiday Gifts That Have Nothing to do With Shopping
I love the holidays, I really do, but this year I have a different feeling about them. To be frank, I hate the commercial culture that surrounds Christmas. I hate that people spend hundreds of dollars on gifts for every person they know. I hate gifts that aren’t practical. Maybe I sound like the Grinch right about now, but I promise I’m not. For me, especially now that I’ve moved away from my hometown, Christmas is about family.
As long as I’m surrounded by warm people and warm food and warm blankets, I’m perfectly happy. I know gift guides have been requested from some of you, and I’m giving you one, but it’s not the gift guide you expected. In fact, my family isn’t even doing gifts this year. Our gift is being together in Florida for a full week. So, I want to share the gift of time with you. Time is the most priceless gift you can ever give, and lets face it: time is hard to come by. Below you’ll find plenty of activities that cost little to no money that you can do with your loved ones.
The Gift of Time:
Family game night: pull out all the classics: Clue, Scrabble, Monopoly. Light some candles, make some cocoa, and spend the evening without any electronics, except Alexa playing Christmas music.
Bonfire with creative s’mores and adult beverages: cozy up by the fire and make s’mores using Oreo’s, peanut butter cookies, or even some raspberries! Pair it with some spiked cocoa, or mulled wine. Just chat, tell stories, and make new memories.
Family bake off: for those families who love competition: this one is for you. Have each member of the family make their favorite cookie. Then for the best part, try them all and determine a winner!
Alternate cooking meals: let each person in the family make a meal. Since I have a family of 4 it works out that each of us would be assigned to breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert. But you can alternate dinner’s throughout the week or any meal!
Ice skating: a winter classic. This might cost you some cash to rent your skates, but imagine the cute pictures and the funny stories you’ll have about trying to stay upright.
Hiking: last Christmas, my family bundled up in our snow boots and coveralls and walked our property. We’re fortunate enough to have upwards of 200 acres to explore, but you can head out to a state park, or even walk through town to check out the decorations! With the freshly fallen snow, and the company, you’re guaranteed to have a (snow) ball!
A good old fashioned movie night: complete with a large batch of popcorn and maybe a couple cookies. Screen your favorite Christmas movie, quote your favorite lines, and sing your favorite songs. You should hear Christy and I sing “Sisters” from White Christmas.
Homemade gift exchange: whether it’s making a fan favorite baked good, or in the case of my sister creating a gorgeous painting, make something by hand and from the heart.
Why spend money on gifts, when the best gift of all is right in front of you? Take some time this holiday season to really appreciate the ones you love by spending a little extra time with them.
