JM's Favorite "Non-Cluttering" Gift Ideas Just in Time for the Holidays!

By Jean Marie Herron

As a professional organizer I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't recommend gifts that don't clog up our homes after the holiday decorations are packed back up. Below are my suggestions; many of them come with personal comment.

EDUCATIONAL:

• Computer Classes - Go private if you can afford to. There is nothing like somebody sitting nextto you working on your own computer in your office versus a classroom setting on an unfamiliar system. (See my picture with The PC Teacher.)
• Continuing Ed - Adult schools. I myself teach in Ramsey, Glen Rock and Ridgewood. Most offer all kinds of interesting subjects to learn.
• Dance Lessons - One of my favorite pastimes. Come join me every Wednesday night in Fair Lawn when I Hustle my stress away. (www.DKNDance.com).
• Music - Have you ever wanted to learn an instrument or take voice lessons? This is on my master list. Everyone should have a master list of goals.
• Yoga - My chiropractor keeps telling me I need to do this it's so good for your health.
• Financial Planning - If you knew now that you were going to live to 90, could you afford it?
• Self Defense - I promise to take this with my daughter in 2010.
• Dog Obedience - You can teach a dog and its master new tricks.

SERVICE: (Do It Yourself or Hire Out)

• Cleaning Service - Good for one time, one month or one year based on your budget.
  You can never go wrong giving this gift to any woman in your life.
• Car Washes and/or Detailing - Especially wonderful if the recipient has children.
• Babysitting - Otherwise, married couples may never have a date night!
• Landscaping/Shoveling - After 40, your back starts to talk to you.
• Garage/Attic/ Basement Clean Out - A truly therapeutic event for all my clients.
• Creation of a Photo Album/Family Movie (DVD) - Many people can no longer keep up with the amount of pictures they have. Turing your photos into a movie makes one realize just how blessed we are and what's really important in life.
• Dinner Cooked - Consider hiring a personal chef. I work with Lisa Caccamise of Simple Earth Cuisine.

CONSUMABLE:

• "Blank" of the Month Club - Does someone you love like, wine, cheese, fruit or beer? There is a club for almost anything you love to ingest.
• Horticulture - Give something alive that will live outside the house and be beautiful to look at and grow over time.
• Massages/Nail & Hair Salons - As we age, we are "touched" less physically by people. These ideas really do make us feel great.
• Memberships or Passes
  • National or local parks - Who can pass up "God's Cathedral". Wake up and see the gorgeous scenery in our beautiful America.
  • Zoos/Museums/Aquarium - We live directly outside NYC, take advantage of this opportunity.
  • Summer camps for children - If my relatives did this for my children I'd be doing the happy dance.
  • Gym - I used to be a gym regular. Then life happened. Maybe Santa will bring me Wii Fit.
  • Local sports team - Like a lot of men, my husband John would always appreciate a ball game of any kind.
  • Ski rentals and lift ticket for winter season - Last year we wrote a note to our 7-year-old son Peter promising him a one-day package for a private skiing lesson, rentals and lift pass at Campgaw. He still talks about that gift a year later.

 

QUALITY TIME: (May or may not cost money but definitely won't clutter)

• Cultural - Tickets for a Play, Art Exhibit, Symphony, Museum, Poem Reading
• Movie/Concert/Sports Tickets
• Overnight, weekend away or vacation planned
• Dinner out with your favorite friends
• Kid friendly or family togetherness:
  • Bowling/ Basketball/ Tennis/ Batting Cages
  • Hiking/ Camping/Picnics
  • Skating: ice skating, rollerblading, skateboarding
  • Reading around the fireplace
  • Night of board games

I really can't say enough about QT (quality time) with your loved ones. Everyone is busy, yes, but it will be the little things you do that will make a big difference. My daughter will not always want me to read her Harry Potter in my bed and my son won't always ask me to play War (cards) with him either. When you make time for people, try to make memories. Those you can take with you when you go, not the stuff.

 

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At POSSE Partners, LLC (Professional Organizing Solutions Serving Everyone) we cater to homeowners who want one-on-one help with their organizing endeavors whether it's their space, papers or time. Besides transferring these organizing skills to our clients, we also hold organizing classes called Clutter Corrals, have a monthly forum for supporting each other called POSSE's Pen and we also give organizing presentations as well. To learn more about the author and owner, Jean Marie Herron, and sign up for her free newsletter go to www.POSSEPartnersLLC.com.