Gifts for Loved Ones
(That Don't Clutter!)

By Jean Marie Herron

Whether it's the holidays or any other special day, we all want to buy our loved ones gifts. Try utilizing some of these ideas below. Hopefully you'll find them creative, clutter friendly and resourceful.  

SENTIMENTAL:

We all love to have a gift touch our heart strings. Try some of the following ideas below to remind people how much you love them.

• A portrait always goes over well and only needs a little wallspace.
• Have all of a loved ones photos, slides and videos burned to a CD. At www.keepitreelonline.com they do a wonderful job making movies to music.
• Create shadow boxes of loved ones favorite memorabilia. This will get it out of drawers or the attic and displayed where it can be honored.
• Have your child's artwork professionally reproduced into cards at www.MyArtCards.com .
• A weekend or overnight retreat at a favorite location. Make a new memory.

SERVICE ORIENTED:

Sometimes we don't need material gifts, what we need is help with things we either can't do ourselves or don't want to do. Try some of the following especially for the elderly or single parents.

• Offer to do his/her shopping.
• Perform or purchase the following services:
  • Landscaping
  • House Cleaning
  • Power wash the house, clear the gutters, plant a garden
  • Organize a space or hire a Professional Organizer
  • Snow Plow service or shovel for them in the winter
  • Handyman services for fix ups around the home

CLUTTER FRIENDLY:

Instead of buying something that ends up taking space in your loved one's home albeit drawer, shelf, closet etc. purchase some of the following "consumable" gifts:

• Gift Certificates to a favorite store/mall
• Movie, concert or theatre tickets
• Meals out at favorite restaurants or gift cards to favorite eateries and coffee houses.
• Offer an "activity date" with them. Plan a time to share his/her special interest and then go out on a date together. (Kids really love to do this with a parent.)
• Purchase a learning experience. Choose a workshop, class, or private lessons for something you think he/she would love to try or do.
• Order a "____ of the Month Club", have something sent to the home on a monthly basis such as:
  • Fruit
  • Flowers
  • Magazines
  • Books

MONETARY:

If you're loved one has everything he/she needs make a donation to a favorite charity. Utilize www.CharityNavigator.com to find just the right charity of your choice.

• For children give to their college fund. Ask the parents what kind of accounts they might have set up. If they don't, offer to set one up for them. You can always get a bond too from a bank.
• Financial Planning-Not everybody is an expert with money or may simply not be thinking about savings. Give them an opportunity to invest by giving them the consultation of a financial planner.
• Gift Credit Cards. Always keep these on hand. They make great gifts since the receiver can purchase almost anything they want, anywhere, anytime.

ADDITIONAL TIPS:

*At the beginning of each month make a list of all the people you need to purchase for just for that month. Include birthdays, anniversaries and special occasions. This becomes your "Whom to Buy For" list. Save these lists for 12 months and then you can create an annual gift list and budget.

*Dedicate an area of your home to the "Gift Nook". This could be a small closet, an under-the-bed storage bin, a shelf in your basement etc. but make it easily accessible or you're not going to use it.

 

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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.