Curious if you know what Lomi does with their composter when it is returned to them. I’ve had to send 2 back to them under the warranty because they stopped working. I got it because I live in town and thought that would be the best option for composting for me rn. I really hope they’re not just throwing them away and creating more e-waste 😢I was trying to do something sustainable so I feel bad that I may be creating more e-waste when they break down, which happens way faster than I thought it would. Love your content!
Suggestions as a CNA caregiver: #1 look through your elderlys home and see if things that need to be replaced, pillow cases, Epsom salts, lotion or soaps they love. They often won't buy necessities or nicer new items due to lack of money or old ways. 2: meals. They can be tired and struggle making healthy good meals. So having a big meal with family will make them feel the love and quality time 3: things for pain relief. Epsom salts, Lidocaine patches or pain creams. Heated items like blankets and clothes are so wonderful for them❤ check on your elderly this season and other holidays, what they want most is your TIME. Please don't forget they get depressed and lonely too. Ask them about their life and actively listen❤❤❤
My family and I decided about 10 years ago that we no longer wanted to give gifts to adults and it was the best decision we ever made. We still do gifts for the 4 young kids and it's so much fun to shop for them and watch them open presents! As for us adults, it's SIGNIFICANTLY less stressful and we just enjoy a meal together and each other's company. I highly recommend families start doing this ❤
My husband and I started this about 3 years ago and I discovered that exchanging gifts didn't matter. I actually enjoyed spending time with the family, making food, focusing on the holiday more and it was enough. There are no more small kids, so I only exchange with 3 of my friends. (I tried telling them I didn't need/want anything, but it didn't go over. One of them tries giving me some sustainable gifts, though.)
My MIL and her family looooveeeee giving physical gifts and it’s so stressful for us. Not only is it financially difficult but we never know what to buy so we end up buying random stuff hoping they like it. Last year we didn’t actually exchange gifts (it was our choice, I don’t think they were super happy) and it was so much more relaxing
I wish more creators put out videos like this instead of the “buy more crap” style videos. A lot of people have forgotten what a gift is actually meant to be and not about spending money on random stuff. Great video and nice to see a little bit Madison again, miss those vlogs🥰🥰🥰
As a broke student what i want more than anything is things like vouchers for supermarkets, cafes and restaurants, book and art shops or just money towards concert and event tickets. I'm grateful to be given things but its just becoming frustrating to be given yet more PJs, socks and "stocking fillers" that i don't need. Ive been trying to discuss this with my family and try to lead by example but its just not working...... On the other hand ive been making little sweet bags for friends and family. I take some jars (or make some cute paper bags) and get an assortment of different sweets. The tonys chocolate was a favourite last year XD. Its easy to match them to peoples dietary needs whilst also being a handmade gift. I also plan to make some cookies to distribute.
I feel that so bad! I'm the only one in my family that doesn't have a full-time job since I'm studying so this time of year is always super stressful for me. I remember one year I asked my family to pay a portion of my rent lmao. I'm already a hobby baker so every year I thrift a tin jar and throw some baked goods in there but last year I learned how to cross stitch so I can give people more handmade gifts.
My 'father in law' birthday was last week and got him a gift card to a grocery store. He loves to cook and will use it to buy some expensive meats. Gift cards for food was a unexpected perfect gift.
Super helpful! I'm gonna add specialty food items; if someone gifted me a basket of high quality olive oil, nuts, nutritional yeast, flour, spices, herbs, whathaveyou, I would be SO HAPPY. And with a cute thrifted or hand-sewn tea towel? YES
I looooove bunnies and have two on my own. So my husband got me a guardianship for a old and sick bunny that lives in a Animal Sanctuary nearby. He set up a monthly donation in my name that helps support the medical care and food for the bunny. I even got a certificate with a photo of the bunny on it 🥰 best gift ever!
The best gift I ever got was definitely not seen in the moment. My parents got me a sewing machine in 2009, I was a young high school student. I love to sew with my grandmother and knew me getting my own meant she wasn’t doing well. She was going to a nursing home and could no longer sew due to safety (dementia). I sobbed actually when I got it because I felt guilty I didn’t want it in the moment. I didn’t become an amazing seamstress or anything but over the years have been able to repair things, hem, and make things I have needed. It’s saved me so much money and I have a skill many my age don’t anymore.
I made gingerbread style portraits of my friends houses this year, gave my first one out last night when I went to a friends house for dinner and we just sat and admired it and talked about it for a while, it was lovely
Thinking of the person’s love language is a helpful way of thinking about giving/receiving gifts! For my mom this year im going to deep clean her car and install a truck organizer so it isnt so messy. We spend a lot of time in our cars so its nice to keep that environment free of added mental stress
I grew up in a very cluttered home so as a adult I'm not a fan of giving or even getting things that will end up in a pile or tossed. So I like to give experiences. Meals and drinks are my favorite go to items. Last year i finally convinced my mom to just get me a nice bottle of wine and was so happy. Shared the drink while watching a movie in at home. ❤️
In my family we love to give gifts to each other and honestly it would be kinda sad without it. Here's a few examples of some alternatives I'm getting for people this year: antique Christmas ornaments, diy bird feed ornaments, a donation to an organisation on their behalf and a vintage brass mirror.
A few years on board the no gift train and so far it is going surprisingly well! My parents still do, but always something I want and second hand. My mom used to sneak extra crap in there because... I don't know exactly? But that has slowly been phased out haha. For our son's first birthday they want to make a donation to his sustainable bank account, absolutely fantastic! My husband and I do a no gift thing, only home-made and spending quality time together, usually food centered. Even my friends honoured a no gift policy for our wedding. Just need to get my neighbour on board, she keeps buying us Temu sh*t....
Hello 👋 what my husband and I do for Christmas is, we give to a charity. We’ve done this for years as we have been married for 50 years. My daughter yeas ago said that she didn’t need anything so we take her out to lunch. My son still likes to give us something so we said give us a gift card for a dinner place and we do that for him and his partner too. That works out great for us ❤ 🎄☺️
Wonderful thoughts on this!! I do keep a wishlist via google docs, and the first paragraph reads, "For anything on this wishlist, please consider buying secondhand, supporting local businesses and artists!" There has been a shift in the gifts I've received over the last couple of years because of it, and it has also changed my family's spending habits. My sister went to a local tea shop and bookstore for my gifts ~ 2 years ago and said it became one of her favorite places afterwards.
The best gift I’ve ever received was a necklace from my partner. My grandma has a necklace she wears everyday that my grandpa gave her when she was 14. I always wanted one like it, so for Christmas 5 years ago he got one for me. ❤️ Last year for Christmas I drew pictures of everyone’s pets in my family and it was a huge hit! I love seeing my drawing hanging in everyone’s’ house and people still talk about it.
last year I gave out chili oil- in cool jars I got from thrift stores and yard sales, my daughter crocheted hats (cute animal themed ones) and scarves . I love the idea of seeds and a pot. Thank you for all of the ideas
One thing I love to gift is books that I think that person will love, as it shows you know that person. If I can't find them at a charity shop I can usually find secondhand copies on ebay.
had this same shift this year! kindd of annoying that they gift against our wishes, but after getting brand neww shiny junk(with love to the gifter, with vitriol to the corporation that made it♡) every birthday and christmas for the past three years, ive decided to burden them w my list of priorities when buying an item loll (secondhand->plastic free sustanaible materials->something id genuinely use) i only added a no clothes rule. i was always too scared to be annoying to do this but if its YOUR gift i think you should actually like it?? taking notessss from that herb salt aw imagine an assortment!!
I hope more people do this because I hate giving someone something that they’re not gonna use. I also hate that you have to be so impressed with the thought😒The thought is not all that matters! The thought most of the time is just wasteful junk. Thank you for doing this because I don’t feel alone and hopefully more people will too and it will become a norm.
For the holidays, I normally gift “popcorn movie nights”. Usually a box I have or a thrifted basket from the thrift store. If I’m feeling fancy, a thrift Ed blanket. I also do popcorn and hot chocolate packets and some candies.
I am older and have a lot of neck, shoulder, and back pain. The best gift I ever received was a power precision deep tissue messager. The brand is sharper image. There is truly no greater gift than having relief from pain. This being a chronic problem from trying to remain as active as I can i have tried a lot of these messaging machines. Most aren't worth the money. This one was recommended by my adult child's partner who is a dancer. They have lots of aches and pains from their profession and they knew what actually works.
For the gift card idea, totally get that it’s sometimes considered a not as well thought out gift. That’s why if I ever do that I also make sure to make something to go with it (like bake cookies.) I think that’s a great way to make the overall gift more thoughtful.
Last year we got a friend a bottle of sweet orange liquor and an invitation to bring it to game night (we put a date for game night as well). She didn't like the taste, but game night was GREAT and she shared it with the rest of us.
I just saw your article on chocolate ! I feel like its so hard to actually GET real chocolate ! Hopefully some of the ones you put on there will be available in Canada (Montreal).. Thank you for all the ideas you give us !☺️🩵
Yay! I'm so glad you mentioned lilly for chocolate; I always gravitated towards them because they had fun flavors but now I know that they're ethical as well. 🥰
I make cakes and sweets as Christmas presents, and gift them in recycled boxes and jars. I was a bit nervous as my family can be a bit precious, but they loved them. For my mum, her main present is an advent calendar I make using mostly items bought in charity shops. Now she's wheelchair bound it's mostly secondhand books from charity shops and gardening magazines from Facebook marketplace with some snacks popped in as treats, then for Christmas day present I've adopted her a donkey at a sanctuary we visited last year.
I learned how to crochet last year and am trying to make at least one item per person in my family :) Handmade gifts are always so much more thoughtful and appreciated!!
My late sister-in-law crocheted the most beautiful scarf for me, in my favourite colour, and I treasure it so much! I’m sure your crocheted gifts will be loved just as much.
One thing on my wishlist has been a cup for tea that has a diffuser attached. No one has been able to find one second hand so it’ll be so much more special when it pops up! It’s like a little game for me:)
Taking inspo from your chocolate one - The Smithsonian National Zoo has bird friendly coffee and chocolate! Gifting a membership to the National Zoo would also be amazing with the upcoming members nights for the new pandas.
it's so nice to hear you say that wish lists are so important! In the Netherlands, we also do this with drawing names and making wish lists (kind of a secret santa). This is such a good way to ensure that you actually receive gifts that you use
Thank you thank you thank you for bringing up donating money! As you said “in this economy”, things are tough and one of the things that is near and dear to my heart that I pay attention to are the local animal shelters and rescues. They are in desperate need because they do not have the space or the funds to support the amount of surrendered animals because a lot of people can’t afford their pets anymore. An m added bonus, it could also be a tax write off.😊
Lately I've been drawing again and started using my laminator. I've been making bookmarks as gifts and people love them! The laminator really brightens and brings out the colors fom colored pencils. Its's fun to watch the colors pop when it goes through. You can also write messages on the back I'm too critical of my regular art/drawings, but doing it from an 'arts and crafts' perspective makes it actually fun and relaxing. And I've drawn together with friends or my partner and we laminate them together. I feel like a little kid again, actually feeling the joy of creation. It also reminds me of when teachers would laminate your art in elementary school; I used to be so excited to get my art handed back to me laminated as a kid. It felt like it was fancier lol
Magazine subscriptions are nice, especially a digital one. Mother Jones, Harper’s, people doing investigative reporting journalism need to be supported now.
You will probably love my gift to my MIL. She’s always drank out of water bottles because her fridge doesn’t have a water system. So for Xmas we are getting her a water filtration system, no more water bottle waste. :)
Every year my mother gives us loads of gifts on our birthdays, i absolutely adore them, the gifts are practical and fun, a new towel, new socks, a book, fancy chocolate, fancy soap. I absolutely love these gifts and use them throughout the year, if i need something specific - like i finally upgraded to wireless earbuds last year, i will ask for those.
I gift an adopt an animal at my local AZA accredited aquarium or zoo. It helps with conservation and research! Also my girlfriends and I are buying each other a sewing class se we can learn how to repair our own clothes.
on the charity thing, there’s also a brand called fahlo that u can buy bracelets from and track animals around the world. and they donate to charities that help those animals.
I LOVE gift cards! I honestly think it’s frustrating when people say “that’s not a gift”-what?? My mom gives my wife and I a good amount of gcs at Christmas and we love it-grocery store, Petsmart, things we need year round 😍
For the measuring cups and spoons, I would add single piece (not an attached handle) and the rectangular ones so that they fit in the jar for easy measuring. It took me about 2 years to find in the price point that I wanted, but i got them for myself! I learned because my mom's round ones didn't fit in the jars, so I'd have to pour and pour back. And the handle fell off of the full cup one so she'd hold it awkwardly because it still worked so it wasnt going anywhere. Also, for the spices, I always leave a bit of the paper seal on so that when I dip to scoop, I can slide it across there for easy measuring.
This was the first actually helpful gift giving video I have seen!! Holiday consumerism has always made me feel weird and this really took a great realistic and thoughtful approach to holiday traditions. Thank you!!
Great video! I love giving people gifts but I would never just buy something just because, so I write down things my family might want all year round so I already know what to give my dad for his birthday in April because it’s a better gift for that season than now ☺️ And last year I hadn’t found anything for my brother and his wife so I just gifted them a deep cleaning of their kitchen 😅 they said it was the best gift they’ve gotten!
I love this! My family and I use Elfster every year and only buy 1 gift for the adults. We have alot of kids in our family so its great for saving money as well! But I appreciate that everyone can make a wishlist so they get something they actually want. I really don't want anymore stuff, so every year I just link to websites I want them to donate to(always animal welfare organizations, humane societies, etc). I do the same thing for my birthday :)
I’ve been trying to work out what to get my family for Christmas, and this sparked some ideas of things they need/ would use! Wish I knew what I needed so other people could get it for me 😢
I've always loved gift cards and these days that even supermarkets have them I would be delighted to receive one, I don't understand why gifts have to be "glamorous" unless you're like super wealthy... in which case I actually wouldn't be surprised if you already have everything and would prefer something handmade.
As always, great video! It can be really hard to concile wanting to be more sustainable with the Holiday season, and this video really inspired me to get even more creative with my gifts this year and to do less harm to the planet (and to my wallet, ahem). So, thank you Shelby!
With regards to others buying you gifts even if you’ve asked them not to, I think we can use this to help with shopping sustainably in principle too. I keep a wishlist of things I want throughout the year, but I always put off buying stuff to make sure that I really do want it and it’s not just an impulse. Come Xmas time there’s always a few items on the list that I’ve been thinking about for months, so I pick a few items off the list and ask for them for xmas. It’s an exercise in being intentional about purchasing things. I know lots of people have the tendency to just buy things as they want them, but leaving room between the wanting and the purchasing can help you decide how you really feel about something. The xmas wish list is a great way to practice this. Plus lots of people express their affection through gift giving, especially at this time of year. Even if you ask for nothing, it feels horribly mean to leave someone out when you’re buying gifts for everyone else.
for all my life my grandmas Christmas gift to me and my brothers has been a science magazine subscription. There's a specific one in Quebec that has like 6 different magazines based on age so we could upgrade has we grew.
Had to have a convo with my mom about how "less is more" when too much stuff made me have a panic attack about fitting it all in my room (I live with my parents)
Our niece and her husband have 5 kids. So instead of giving each child a small gift we got the family a years membership to the nearby zoo. They can go as often as they like. All of them have come and thanked us and a couple have drawn pictures of some of the animals for us.
one year i got my brother a very nice banana republic cashmere sweater but i got it from the thrift store and my dad got so mad at me and honestly?? who cares. what a deal. my brother loved it. now i make all the gifts i give, but it was wild for someone to have such a negative reaction to a used item.
This is the best gift guide ever❤❤ Thank you, Shelby! We’re doing secret Santa with my in-laws and luckily my sister in law had local and secondhand things on her wishlist, so that’s what I got her😊
Hii! I was wondering if you ever plan to broaden the sizes of kayaness to include smaller sizes? The extra small is way to big for me, but I would love to try the brand!
I find food gift to be really great because it's useful and most of the time everyone enjoy it, and it doesn't end up adding up to the mess, it's eaten it disappears, however sometimes I do food/treat for birthday, and something else for Christmas because in my family around Christmas we're like eating a lot we're stuffed like sometimes borderline indigestion 😂😂😂
This year so far the plan is to hand make all of my gifts, mostly because we don’t have much money to buy stuff. I have purchased things thrifted as well and I plan to gift a costco membership.
I’m getting my mom a robe because it’s the only thing she doesn’t have. After that I’m gonna try to pay a month of bills for Christmas. She can’t say no to that😝
I loved this video topic ! It’s extremely informative ! Personally I’m someone who enjoys practical gifts - I asked my mom to gift me fixing my laptop battery this year and my sister to gift me a haircut (because both were being put off lol)
Okay so many of you are commenting such great ideas and I want moooore!!! Leave them here or in their own comment please I’M LOVING IT SO MUCH
Curious if you know what Lomi does with their composter when it is returned to them. I’ve had to send 2 back to them under the warranty because they stopped working. I got it because I live in town and thought that would be the best option for composting for me rn. I really hope they’re not just throwing them away and creating more e-waste 😢I was trying to do something sustainable so I feel bad that I may be creating more e-waste when they break down, which happens way faster than I thought it would. Love your content!
Suggestions as a CNA caregiver: #1 look through your elderlys home and see if things that need to be replaced, pillow cases, Epsom salts, lotion or soaps they love. They often won't buy necessities or nicer new items due to lack of money or old ways. 2: meals. They can be tired and struggle making healthy good meals. So having a big meal with family will make them feel the love and quality time 3: things for pain relief. Epsom salts, Lidocaine patches or pain creams. Heated items like blankets and clothes are so wonderful for them❤ check on your elderly this season and other holidays, what they want most is your TIME. Please don't forget they get depressed and lonely too. Ask them about their life and actively listen❤❤❤
My family and I decided about 10 years ago that we no longer wanted to give gifts to adults and it was the best decision we ever made. We still do gifts for the 4 young kids and it's so much fun to shop for them and watch them open presents! As for us adults, it's SIGNIFICANTLY less stressful and we just enjoy a meal together and each other's company. I highly recommend families start doing this ❤
You’re living the dream 🥲! My husbands family literally go so ham on Christmas and it’s so overwhelming. We don’t wanna buy 8 adults presents 🙃
My husband and I started this about 3 years ago and I discovered that exchanging gifts didn't matter. I actually enjoyed spending time with the family, making food, focusing on the holiday more and it was enough. There are no more small kids, so I only exchange with 3 of my friends. (I tried telling them I didn't need/want anything, but it didn't go over. One of them tries giving me some sustainable gifts, though.)
My MIL and her family looooveeeee giving physical gifts and it’s so stressful for us. Not only is it financially difficult but we never know what to buy so we end up buying random stuff hoping they like it. Last year we didn’t actually exchange gifts (it was our choice, I don’t think they were super happy) and it was so much more relaxing
I wish more creators put out videos like this instead of the “buy more crap” style videos. A lot of people have forgotten what a gift is actually meant to be and not about spending money on random stuff. Great video and nice to see a little bit Madison again, miss those vlogs🥰🥰🥰
As a broke student what i want more than anything is things like vouchers for supermarkets, cafes and restaurants, book and art shops or just money towards concert and event tickets. I'm grateful to be given things but its just becoming frustrating to be given yet more PJs, socks and "stocking fillers" that i don't need. Ive been trying to discuss this with my family and try to lead by example but its just not working...... On the other hand ive been making little sweet bags for friends and family. I take some jars (or make some cute paper bags) and get an assortment of different sweets. The tonys chocolate was a favourite last year XD. Its easy to match them to peoples dietary needs whilst also being a handmade gift. I also plan to make some cookies to distribute.
I feel that so bad! I'm the only one in my family that doesn't have a full-time job since I'm studying so this time of year is always super stressful for me. I remember one year I asked my family to pay a portion of my rent lmao. I'm already a hobby baker so every year I thrift a tin jar and throw some baked goods in there but last year I learned how to cross stitch so I can give people more handmade gifts.
My 'father in law' birthday was last week and got him a gift card to a grocery store. He loves to cook and will use it to buy some expensive meats. Gift cards for food was a unexpected perfect gift.
Super helpful!
I'm gonna add specialty food items; if someone gifted me a basket of high quality olive oil, nuts, nutritional yeast, flour, spices, herbs, whathaveyou, I would be SO HAPPY. And with a cute thrifted or hand-sewn tea towel? YES
Someone gifted me a gift card for an oil change. I loved it so much; I started doing the same for others! 🎉❤
Nice, because it's something you have to do but don't like to pay for.
I love this idea
I looooove bunnies and have two on my own.
So my husband got me a guardianship for a old and sick bunny that lives in a Animal Sanctuary nearby. He set up a monthly donation in my name that helps support the medical care and food for the bunny. I even got a certificate with a photo of the bunny on it 🥰 best gift ever!
The best gift I ever got was definitely not seen in the moment. My parents got me a sewing machine in 2009, I was a young high school student. I love to sew with my grandmother and knew me getting my own meant she wasn’t doing well. She was going to a nursing home and could no longer sew due to safety (dementia). I sobbed actually when I got it because I felt guilty I didn’t want it in the moment. I didn’t become an amazing seamstress or anything but over the years have been able to repair things, hem, and make things I have needed. It’s saved me so much money and I have a skill many my age don’t anymore.
Shelbizleee winter seasonal content is always my favourite, and now Christmas always reminds me of sustainability
I made gingerbread style portraits of my friends houses this year, gave my first one out last night when I went to a friends house for dinner and we just sat and admired it and talked about it for a while, it was lovely
I wish I could see!
Thinking of the person’s love language is a helpful way of thinking about giving/receiving gifts!
For my mom this year im going to deep clean her car and install a truck organizer so it isnt so messy. We spend a lot of time in our cars so its nice to keep that environment free of added mental stress
I grew up in a very cluttered home so as a adult I'm not a fan of giving or even getting things that will end up in a pile or tossed.
So I like to give experiences. Meals and drinks are my favorite go to items.
Last year i finally convinced my mom to just get me a nice bottle of wine and was so happy. Shared the drink while watching a movie in at home. ❤️
In my family we love to give gifts to each other and honestly it would be kinda sad without it. Here's a few examples of some alternatives I'm getting for people this year: antique Christmas ornaments, diy bird feed ornaments, a donation to an organisation on their behalf and a vintage brass mirror.
What lovely thoughtful gifts!
That sounds wonderful! I wish I had family and friends who like vintage/antique stuff 😅
A few years on board the no gift train and so far it is going surprisingly well! My parents still do, but always something I want and second hand. My mom used to sneak extra crap in there because... I don't know exactly? But that has slowly been phased out haha. For our son's first birthday they want to make a donation to his sustainable bank account, absolutely fantastic! My husband and I do a no gift thing, only home-made and spending quality time together, usually food centered. Even my friends honoured a no gift policy for our wedding. Just need to get my neighbour on board, she keeps buying us Temu sh*t....
Hello 👋 what my husband and I do for Christmas is, we give to a charity. We’ve done this for years as we have been married for 50 years. My daughter yeas ago said that she didn’t need anything so we take her out to lunch. My son still likes to give us something so we said give us a gift card for a dinner place and we do that for him and his partner too. That works out great for us ❤ 🎄☺️
Wonderful thoughts on this!! I do keep a wishlist via google docs, and the first paragraph reads, "For anything on this wishlist, please consider buying secondhand, supporting local businesses and artists!" There has been a shift in the gifts I've received over the last couple of years because of it, and it has also changed my family's spending habits. My sister went to a local tea shop and bookstore for my gifts ~ 2 years ago and said it became one of her favorite places afterwards.
The best gift I’ve ever received was a necklace from my partner. My grandma has a necklace she wears everyday that my grandpa gave her when she was 14. I always wanted one like it, so for Christmas 5 years ago he got one for me. ❤️
Last year for Christmas I drew pictures of everyone’s pets in my family and it was a huge hit! I love seeing my drawing hanging in everyone’s’ house and people still talk about it.
last year I gave out chili oil- in cool jars I got from thrift stores and yard sales, my daughter crocheted hats (cute animal themed ones) and scarves . I love the idea of seeds and a pot. Thank you for all of the ideas
One thing I love to gift is books that I think that person will love, as it shows you know that person. If I can't find them at a charity shop I can usually find secondhand copies on ebay.
had this same shift this year! kindd of annoying that they gift against our wishes, but after getting brand neww shiny junk(with love to the gifter, with vitriol to the corporation that made it♡) every birthday and christmas for the past three years, ive decided to burden them w my list of priorities when buying an item loll (secondhand->plastic free sustanaible materials->something id genuinely use) i only added a no clothes rule. i was always too scared to be annoying to do this but if its YOUR gift i think you should actually like it?? taking notessss from that herb salt aw imagine an assortment!!
I hope more people do this because I hate giving someone something that they’re not gonna use. I also hate that you have to be so impressed with the thought😒The thought is not all that matters! The thought most of the time is just wasteful junk. Thank you for doing this because I don’t feel alone and hopefully more people will too and it will become a norm.
For the holidays, I normally gift “popcorn movie nights”. Usually a box I have or a thrifted basket from the thrift store. If I’m feeling fancy, a thrift Ed blanket. I also do popcorn and hot chocolate packets and some candies.
This was the first gift giving guide that was actually really helpful! Thank you!
I am older and have a lot of neck, shoulder, and back pain. The best gift I ever received was a power precision deep tissue messager. The brand is sharper image. There is truly no greater gift than having relief from pain. This being a chronic problem from trying to remain as active as I can i have tried a lot of these messaging machines. Most aren't worth the money. This one was recommended by my adult child's partner who is a dancer. They have lots of aches and pains from their profession and they knew what actually works.
For the gift card idea, totally get that it’s sometimes considered a not as well thought out gift. That’s why if I ever do that I also make sure to make something to go with it (like bake cookies.) I think that’s a great way to make the overall gift more thoughtful.
Last year we got a friend a bottle of sweet orange liquor and an invitation to bring it to game night (we put a date for game night as well). She didn't like the taste, but game night was GREAT and she shared it with the rest of us.
I just saw your article on chocolate ! I feel like its so hard to actually GET real chocolate ! Hopefully some of the ones you put on there will be available in Canada (Montreal).. Thank you for all the ideas you give us !☺️🩵
Yay! I'm so glad you mentioned lilly for chocolate; I always gravitated towards them because they had fun flavors but now I know that they're ethical as well. 🥰
I make cakes and sweets as Christmas presents, and gift them in recycled boxes and jars. I was a bit nervous as my family can be a bit precious, but they loved them. For my mum, her main present is an advent calendar I make using mostly items bought in charity shops. Now she's wheelchair bound it's mostly secondhand books from charity shops and gardening magazines from Facebook marketplace with some snacks popped in as treats, then for Christmas day present I've adopted her a donkey at a sanctuary we visited last year.
Great ideas! How sweet.
I learned how to crochet last year and am trying to make at least one item per person in my family :) Handmade gifts are always so much more thoughtful and appreciated!!
My late sister-in-law crocheted the most beautiful scarf for me, in my favourite colour, and I treasure it so much! I’m sure your crocheted gifts will be loved just as much.
One thing on my wishlist has been a cup for tea that has a diffuser attached. No one has been able to find one second hand so it’ll be so much more special when it pops up! It’s like a little game for me:)
Taking inspo from your chocolate one - The Smithsonian National Zoo has bird friendly coffee and chocolate! Gifting a membership to the National Zoo would also be amazing with the upcoming members nights for the new pandas.
it's so nice to hear you say that wish lists are so important! In the Netherlands, we also do this with drawing names and making wish lists (kind of a secret santa). This is such a good way to ensure that you actually receive gifts that you use
Even as a child, socks have always been my favorite gift. And even more favorite if they are fuzzy warm house socks.
Thank you thank you thank you for bringing up donating money! As you said “in this economy”, things are tough and one of the things that is near and dear to my heart that I pay attention to are the local animal shelters and rescues. They are in desperate need because they do not have the space or the funds to support the amount of surrendered animals because a lot of people can’t afford their pets anymore. An m added bonus, it could also be a tax write off.😊
Lately I've been drawing again and started using my laminator. I've been making bookmarks as gifts and people love them! The laminator really brightens and brings out the colors fom colored pencils. Its's fun to watch the colors pop when it goes through. You can also write messages on the back
I'm too critical of my regular art/drawings, but doing it from an 'arts and crafts' perspective makes it actually fun and relaxing. And I've drawn together with friends or my partner and we laminate them together. I feel like a little kid again, actually feeling the joy of creation.
It also reminds me of when teachers would laminate your art in elementary school; I used to be so excited to get my art handed back to me laminated as a kid. It felt like it was fancier lol
Magazine subscriptions are nice, especially a digital one. Mother Jones, Harper’s, people doing investigative reporting journalism need to be supported now.
Thank you for these ideas! I like how you broke them into categories and then gave specific examples.
You will probably love my gift to my MIL. She’s always drank out of water bottles because her fridge doesn’t have a water system. So for Xmas we are getting her a water filtration system, no more water bottle waste. :)
That’s an excellent idea!! I think she will be grateful to save money too!
Every year my mother gives us loads of gifts on our birthdays, i absolutely adore them, the gifts are practical and fun, a new towel, new socks, a book, fancy chocolate, fancy soap. I absolutely love these gifts and use them throughout the year, if i need something specific - like i finally upgraded to wireless earbuds last year, i will ask for those.
I gift an adopt an animal at my local AZA accredited aquarium or zoo. It helps with conservation and research!
Also my girlfriends and I are buying each other a sewing class se we can learn how to repair our own clothes.
I love these ideas! And I don't know what it is in your last several videos, but you're glowing! 🥰
on the charity thing, there’s also a brand called fahlo that u can buy bracelets from and track animals around the world. and they donate to charities that help those animals.
A friend of mine and I have agreed to exchange handwritten cards for our birthdays instead of gifts! Just sharing in case someone likes the idea
I LOVE gift cards! I honestly think it’s frustrating when people say “that’s not a gift”-what?? My mom gives my wife and I a good amount of gcs at Christmas and we love it-grocery store, Petsmart, things we need year round 😍
For the measuring cups and spoons, I would add single piece (not an attached handle) and the rectangular ones so that they fit in the jar for easy measuring.
It took me about 2 years to find in the price point that I wanted, but i got them for myself! I learned because my mom's round ones didn't fit in the jars, so I'd have to pour and pour back. And the handle fell off of the full cup one so she'd hold it awkwardly because it still worked so it wasnt going anywhere.
Also, for the spices, I always leave a bit of the paper seal on so that when I dip to scoop, I can slide it across there for easy measuring.
I hand-make all my gifts to others now! Gift giving (and getting, let's be real, #traumatizedasachild) is a love language for me
This was the first actually helpful gift giving video I have seen!! Holiday consumerism has always made me feel weird and this really took a great realistic and thoughtful approach to holiday traditions. Thank you!!
would love to see a video on sustainable gift wrapping if you haven't made one already!
I’m on it 🫡
I LOVE YOU SHELBI!!!! 💚 Your channel is such a breath of fresh air!
Great video!
I love giving people gifts but I would never just buy something just because, so I write down things my family might want all year round so I already know what to give my dad for his birthday in April because it’s a better gift for that season than now ☺️ And last year I hadn’t found anything for my brother and his wife so I just gifted them a deep cleaning of their kitchen 😅 they said it was the best gift they’ve gotten!
I love this! My family and I use Elfster every year and only buy 1 gift for the adults. We have alot of kids in our family so its great for saving money as well! But I appreciate that everyone can make a wishlist so they get something they actually want. I really don't want anymore stuff, so every year I just link to websites I want them to donate to(always animal welfare organizations, humane societies, etc). I do the same thing for my birthday :)
You can support a local museum by gifting a membership!
It's so cute how excited you get :) I also like the "wishlist pick + other personalized surprised gift" combo!
Thank you! I've been making a list since January but it hasn't been successful. Turns out I have everything I need, which means I'm very, very lucky
Incredibly helpful! Love all the practicality in these gifts
My mom asked for stasher bags for Christmas and I’m so excited 😄
I’ve been trying to work out what to get my family for Christmas, and this sparked some ideas of things they need/ would use! Wish I knew what I needed so other people could get it for me 😢
My favorite gift was my mom paying for my gym membership for a year or updating my phone because my old one died.
Tony’s goes crazy, and the massive bars make me feel like a kid again
An insulated casserole carrying case sounds brilliant!!
Yes to the insulated casserole carrying case, which I have wished for about 6 times a year for 35 years but didn’t know they exist!
I've always loved gift cards and these days that even supermarkets have them I would be delighted to receive one, I don't understand why gifts have to be "glamorous" unless you're like super wealthy... in which case I actually wouldn't be surprised if you already have everything and would prefer something handmade.
One of my favorite gifts wasn’t even on my Christmas list back a couple of years ago and I am currently using this mini backpack as my handbag/purse
As always, great video! It can be really hard to concile wanting to be more sustainable with the Holiday season, and this video really inspired me to get even more creative with my gifts this year and to do less harm to the planet (and to my wallet, ahem). So, thank you Shelby!
i love this gift guide because gift giving is my love language. I need to use my creativity .its the thought that counts when it comes to gifts.
I've been asking for reusable baking sheets for the past few years, but people seem reluctant to giving then to me 😭 They are the best!
With regards to others buying you gifts even if you’ve asked them not to, I think we can use this to help with shopping sustainably in principle too. I keep a wishlist of things I want throughout the year, but I always put off buying stuff to make sure that I really do want it and it’s not just an impulse. Come Xmas time there’s always a few items on the list that I’ve been thinking about for months, so I pick a few items off the list and ask for them for xmas.
It’s an exercise in being intentional about purchasing things. I know lots of people have the tendency to just buy things as they want them, but leaving room between the wanting and the purchasing can help you decide how you really feel about something. The xmas wish list is a great way to practice this.
Plus lots of people express their affection through gift giving, especially at this time of year. Even if you ask for nothing, it feels horribly mean to leave someone out when you’re buying gifts for everyone else.
The wagon is 100 I also got one & it’s def a game changer
for all my life my grandmas Christmas gift to me and my brothers has been a science magazine subscription. There's a specific one in Quebec that has like 6 different magazines based on age so we could upgrade has we grew.
Had to have a convo with my mom about how "less is more" when too much stuff made me have a panic attack about fitting it all in my room (I live with my parents)
Conscious Step is amazing. I'm always gifting these socks for the holidays
Great video and tips!!! Thank you. Love the practical / sustainable / local options
So many great ideas! I really love the handmade ornaments 🎄
Our niece and her husband have 5 kids. So instead of giving each child a small gift we got the family a years membership to the nearby zoo. They can go as often as they like. All of them have come and thanked us and a couple have drawn pictures of some of the animals for us.
one year i got my brother a very nice banana republic cashmere sweater but i got it from the thrift store and my dad got so mad at me and honestly?? who cares. what a deal. my brother loved it. now i make all the gifts i give, but it was wild for someone to have such a negative reaction to a used item.
I'm gifting my sister socks and tattoo money -- something she loves but is expensive. If we can make it work, then getting tattoos together.
As a woman in her 30s, if someone bought me toilet paper for Christmas, I would be so happy because that is so money saving.
This is the best gift guide ever❤❤ Thank you, Shelby! We’re doing secret Santa with my in-laws and luckily my sister in law had local and secondhand things on her wishlist, so that’s what I got her😊
loved this - exactly the content i'm looking for right now!
Yes, I am living this reality!!
I LOVE YOUR HOLIDAY CONTENT! I have been binge watching your minimalism games and vlogmas videos!
Love this! You did a great job with this , making it practical and easy to watch and take something from.
love these ideas so much
Thank you for the amazing video 🥰❤️ Love you girl!!
LOVE all of your suggestions! Thank you!
Thanks Shelby, needed some inspiration for sustainable present ideas 🧡
Hi Shelby, I am really interested in the software you use for transcribing as some of apps out there ain’t always the best.
Hii! I was wondering if you ever plan to broaden the sizes of kayaness to include smaller sizes? The extra small is way to big for me, but I would love to try the brand!
Thank you so much for this video! Some great ideas 💡 my favourite ones are experience gifts! I love giving them each year :) ❤
Rebel cheese!!!!!! My favorite.
Excellent ideas
I find food gift to be really great because it's useful and most of the time everyone enjoy it, and it doesn't end up adding up to the mess, it's eaten it disappears, however sometimes I do food/treat for birthday, and something else for Christmas because in my family around Christmas we're like eating a lot we're stuffed like sometimes borderline indigestion 😂😂😂
Handmade food things when I can, it's always appreciated
This year so far the plan is to hand make all of my gifts, mostly because we don’t have much money to buy stuff. I have purchased things thrifted as well and I plan to gift a costco membership.
I’m getting my mom a robe because it’s the only thing she doesn’t have. After that I’m gonna try to pay a month of bills for Christmas. She can’t say no to that😝
I loved this video topic ! It’s extremely informative ! Personally I’m someone who enjoys practical gifts - I asked my mom to gift me fixing my laptop battery this year and my sister to gift me a haircut (because both were being put off lol)
i love the makeup erasers
Great 😃 video 🎥 S😊
Looking lovely 😻 and adorable 🥰
Love these gift guides. ❤
I wish I'd seen this before I'd bought gifts for my family. ❤