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❤❤❤
Just be careful that their heated blankets and hot water bottles are appropriate for them! Some folks with decreased sensation in their extremities might not be able use them safely. Also, offering to do some small home repairs might be a wonderful way to support the older folks in your life!
@CorrineJones-kd9ph exactly! It's easy to forget the small necessities and precautions. I wanted to put more ideas for full assist residents, but didn't want to over complicate it and write a book lol
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.
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
@@kristinavee1012 maybe suggest a secret Santa swap? That might please everyone and each person only buys one gift. We are starting this in 2024 and the entire family is excited about it!
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🥰🥰🥰
Tires. My wealthy grandmother was so upset one year when my mom just begged for a set of basic goodyear tires for the family van, our only 15+ yr old car.
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!
As someone with ADHD, vouchers for a one off cleaning service (or more sessions if you're ballin' out) would actually make me cry in a good way. Of course, it's important to be close to whoever your'e gifting that to and know that they won't see it as a judgment, but for me getting a gift like that would take so much off my plate and make me feel so seen. Anything that takes stressful tasks off my plate would be an amazing gift.
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.
Yes! My mom likes to shop so if there are people who like to shop for you it’s good to ask for a gift card & choose a day to shop with them. Great ideas.
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
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.
This comment made me emotional; I have similar memories with grandparents, and I know what you mean about a sweet and thoughtful gift being accompanied by the pain of knowing what you're slowly losing. Thanks for sharing your memory; it sounds like your grandmother had an indelible impact on your life.
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
@AM-ow3gn they were 2D, I drew them on cardboard in pencil first then went over it in white paint, if you look up "diy gingerbread house garland" you will see videos of the style of drawing I did. I cut them out then mounted them in frames, some of them I used wrapping paper that would match their decor as a background.
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
My fav gifts to give and receive are experiences - tickets to the museum, live show, dinner at a favorite restaurant, a thoughtfully put together picnic, etc.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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 ❤ 🎄☺️
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.
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....
My friend buys me T-shirts from Shein....... I hate them and send them straight to a charity shop. A few weeks ago I asked her if we could stop presents . She agreed, thank goodness.
Two gifts I loved were dish towels: One was a simple colorful crochet for each day of the week on 7 plain cotton dish towels gifted in a square Christmas tin. Another was a square potholder and dish towel from the Dollar Store, sewn together across the middle with a button added to the potholder that then buttons to the loop to attach the towel to the stove handle. Homemade or a homemade touch is always the best!
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
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.
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.
I just want to say that I love the understanding and encouraging approach you’ve taken to presenting sustainable ideas and the initial cost of making that switch that deters a lot of people, but also how worth it that is! These are really awesome ideas and I’ll definitely be gifting some this year
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.
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.😊
Love this! People really do enjoy buying gifts, and it’s so helpful when we can share ideas for things we actually want-makes it easier for everyone involved. Whenever possible, I try to give (and ask for) experience-based gifts. For example, for my brother’s birthday, I took him to a concert, and for my mom, I booked a color analysis session, which will double as a fun girls’ day together.
These are all really helpful ideas. I had the convo with my parents early this year and told them that we have so much and we dont need anything so i was going to donate to an organization that fit will all of our values that they currently don't contribute to and i picked UNICEF. I know they will love it. Also, i have 16 year old niece and nephew and they are taking an interest in cooking and baking for themselves. so, this year they are coming over and we are trying to make homemade gingerbread houses. Just remember the older kids still love time and experiences. I have done that for years. They dont expect gifts at Christmas and birthdays- we do things together through the year. and then for holidays they get unique snacks and treats, just something small. Alot of memories have been made which is the real gift that lasts.
What a practical and upbeat video! My family likes giving gifts. We do not buy a lot during the year. We are pretty frugal. So we all make a wishlist and most things are practical. We also re purpose. I had two blenders, I washed one off , added some cute plates and spoons from the thrift store and made a cute basket to giveaway!
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!!
These past few years i just asked for a trader joes gift card bc i’m always going to need groceries and honestly, i feel like its the best gift. Groceries are expensive so its nice to have at least one trip covered
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.
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 need this video so bad - I am having such doomsday feeling about the waste in this country/ world and I’m so thankful for a content creator like you.
My ways to ask for things: I ask for vintage stuff, so I know it'll be second-hand. Favs include vintage ceramic Christmas tree, and vintage curtains (they make really nice aprons!) I've also asked for things for my car, tires, wipers, an oil change, etc. Anyone who makes things, I always ask for handmade things. Scarves, soap, cookies, etc. I've asked for copies of recipes, too! I've asked for "cool rocks" before, that was a fun gift!
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.
My family started the tradition of making gifts for each other when I was really tiny because money was tight for mom and dad and both have some mad crafting skills. I love that now when money is tight all my siblings are happy to get home made gifts.
I decided a few weeks ago I was going to bake and send cookies this year as gifts. I haven’t been this excited to give gifts in a little while. Plus I got my mom a cute Santa from the thrift store. Thanks for the great ideas!
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 !☺️🩵
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.
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!
Magazine subscriptions are nice, especially a digital one. Mother Jones, Harper’s, people doing investigative reporting journalism need to be supported now.
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.
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. ❤️
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:)
Love the thrifted and make something combo. I made rosemary garlic salt in little glass bottles as gifts this year and it was delicious and such a hit with everyone.
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.
We don't spent a lot on each other now our girls are in their 30s and 40s. I actually bought one daughter a vintage vase from charity shop for £4.00 today...i see one sold for over £300.00!! So she's going to be very happy I'm sure! I also make peg dolls to hang on the tree for some people. I made a garland of hand painted paper baubles for another daughter which she loves. My husband will treat me through the coming year to Art sessions which i love doing so thats me happy! Getting together is the main thing.
A few years ago, I decided I didn't want to continue the whole gift thing and told family that I literally want nothing and why. I understand that the mentality is "gifts=love", but I already know they love me. I don't need a bunch of small gifts I'm never going to use, like a chapstick case? I don't even use chapstick, the texture upsets me. Anyways, as they think giving gifts is to express their love, it's having the adverse effect, that they dont care about me by not listening to my wishes. Watching the video and reading comments have been very inspirational. If anyone asks what I want, I think I'll try asking them to donate to a local farm or if they feel like they *need* to buy something physical, my favorite protein bar has a special offer where a portion of profits goes to support environment or agricultural education in Hawai'i. In the past, holidays earn a groan from me from the thought of how wasteful they can be, but now I'm feeling more hopeful. Thanks, and happy holidays, everyone!
I’m asking for a CSA (community-supported agriculture) membership from my parents for next Christmas. Sustainable, practical, and helps local farmers! I wish these were available everywhere.
I watch for real fabric based ribbon, like satin, velvet, etc at thrift stores and yard sales year round. It is so much nicer than cheap throwaway plastic ribbons and bows, and can be saved and reused.
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.
Here in Italy having a bidet is the default in every house, so the idea of gifting someone a bidet is quite funny to me, it would be perceived like being gifted a sink😂 Great video btw, I think I will take inspiration from some of your ideas, especially for my dad
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
100% agree with the bidet thing. I've given one to every household in my family and friends over the last few years. They all love them (and bonus is that there are few houses I visit now that don't have a bidet to use)
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 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.
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.
New subscriber here! Somehow this is the first video of yours that I’ve seen, and checking your channel - there’s definitely more I’d like to hear from you! I really need to get on making my wish list - for others, but also for myself! I’m so forgetful these days and I get distracted in the thrift stores, etc. from getting what I need. Thank you and have a Merry Christmas!
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.
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.
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.
When our first kid was born, I started making photo calendars each christmas for my parents and the in laws. They have been a hit every year, and although they are a bit of a pain to make, I know that they are not only practical (all of the gift recievers still use paper calendars) but also a cute memento of the grandchildren throughout the year
I love my stasher bags! I just wanted to pop in and say that I got them because more than once I heard you talk about how much you liked them, then I saw them super discounted (like 70% off retail) at grocery outlet and bought 2. I tried them and went back a week later and got 10 more. I’ve had them 2 years and I barely use the plastic ones now. I think my only issue with them is they will hold strong smells, I have a designated onion bag, onions aren’t allowed in any other bag. 😂
Suggestion!! If you are a business owner of any sort and provide a service, you can gift that service as a one time thing. So I am a photographer and I do family photos, maternity, couple, etc. and I have gifted free engagement photos to my friends who have gotten engaged or family photos to loved ones. That way I know I am still providing them with a gift for their big life moments, but I am not just picking something off of a registry or getting something that they do not actually need BUT instead gifting them photos
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😊
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
@shelbizlee what is the app you mentioned that you use for transcription and annotation at conference sessions?
Also I’d like to know the non-alcoholic wine store, please. ❤
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❤❤❤
Just be careful that their heated blankets and hot water bottles are appropriate for them! Some folks with decreased sensation in their extremities might not be able use them safely. Also, offering to do some small home repairs might be a wonderful way to support the older folks in your life!
@CorrineJones-kd9ph exactly! It's easy to forget the small necessities and precautions. I wanted to put more ideas for full assist residents, but didn't want to over complicate it and write a book lol
Outstanding suggestions! ♥️♥️♥️
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.
This is a great idea! 💖
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
@@kristinavee1012 maybe suggest a secret Santa swap? That might please everyone and each person only buys one gift. We are starting this in 2024 and the entire family is excited about it!
So true! My family won’t stop
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🥰🥰🥰
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
Tires. My wealthy grandmother was so upset one year when my mom just begged for a set of basic goodyear tires for the family van, our only 15+ yr old car.
Great idea! ♥️
@@dedhampster4730another fantastic practical 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!
As someone with ADHD, vouchers for a one off cleaning service (or more sessions if you're ballin' out) would actually make me cry in a good way. Of course, it's important to be close to whoever your'e gifting that to and know that they won't see it as a judgment, but for me getting a gift like that would take so much off my plate and make me feel so seen. Anything that takes stressful tasks off my plate would be an amazing gift.
As a fellow ADHD-er, oh my yesss I'd be in happy tears.
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.
Yes! My mom likes to shop so if there are people who like to shop for you it’s good to ask for a gift card & choose a day to shop with them. Great ideas.
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
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.
This comment made me emotional; I have similar memories with grandparents, and I know what you mean about a sweet and thoughtful gift being accompanied by the pain of knowing what you're slowly losing.
Thanks for sharing your memory; it sounds like your grandmother had an indelible impact on your life.
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!
This sounds amazing! Were they sculptures/ replicas made of gingerbread, or 2D paintings/drawings of the houses as though they are gingerbread?
@AM-ow3gn they were 2D, I drew them on cardboard in pencil first then went over it in white paint, if you look up "diy gingerbread house garland" you will see videos of the style of drawing I did. I cut them out then mounted them in frames, some of them I used wrapping paper that would match their decor as a background.
What a great idea!
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
My fav gifts to give and receive are experiences - tickets to the museum, live show, dinner at a favorite restaurant, a thoughtfully put together picnic, etc.
Shelbizleee winter seasonal content is always my favourite, and now Christmas always reminds me of sustainability
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 😅
Something I’m thinking of giving is a plant that I propagated in a nice pot.
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.
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.
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.
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
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 ❤ 🎄☺️
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.
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....
My friend buys me T-shirts from Shein....... I hate them and send them straight to a charity shop. A few weeks ago I asked her if we could stop presents . She agreed, thank goodness.
Two gifts I loved were dish towels: One was a simple colorful crochet for each day of the week on 7 plain cotton dish towels gifted in a square Christmas tin. Another was a square potholder and dish towel from the Dollar Store, sewn together across the middle with a button added to the potholder that then buttons to the loop to attach the towel to the stove handle. Homemade or a homemade touch is always the best!
I love getting gift cards. It's thoughtful for me, because it's what I really want! Gift it in a wallet or a bag or Mason jar, stasher bag etc.
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
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.
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.
I just want to say that I love the understanding and encouraging approach you’ve taken to presenting sustainable ideas and the initial cost of making that switch that deters a lot of people, but also how worth it that is! These are really awesome ideas and I’ll definitely be gifting some this year
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.
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.😊
Love this! People really do enjoy buying gifts, and it’s so helpful when we can share ideas for things we actually want-makes it easier for everyone involved.
Whenever possible, I try to give (and ask for) experience-based gifts. For example, for my brother’s birthday, I took him to a concert, and for my mom, I booked a color analysis session, which will double as a fun girls’ day together.
I remember a few years ago you suggested giftng YT Premium. I bought a family plan and we still use it; it was (is!) definitely a favorite : )
These are all really helpful ideas. I had the convo with my parents early this year and told them that we have so much and we dont need anything so i was going to donate to an organization that fit will all of our values that they currently don't contribute to and i picked UNICEF. I know they will love it. Also, i have 16 year old niece and nephew and they are taking an interest in cooking and baking for themselves. so, this year they are coming over and we are trying to make homemade gingerbread houses. Just remember the older kids still love time and experiences. I have done that for years. They dont expect gifts at Christmas and birthdays- we do things together through the year. and then for holidays they get unique snacks and treats, just something small. Alot of memories have been made which is the real gift that lasts.
What a practical and upbeat video! My family likes giving gifts. We do not buy a lot during the year. We are pretty frugal. So we all make a wishlist and most things are practical. We also re purpose. I had two blenders, I washed one off , added some cute plates and spoons from the thrift store and made a cute basket to giveaway!
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!!
These past few years i just asked for a trader joes gift card bc i’m always going to need groceries and honestly, i feel like its the best gift. Groceries are expensive so its nice to have at least one trip covered
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.
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 need this video so bad - I am having such doomsday feeling about the waste in this country/ world and I’m so thankful for a content creator like you.
My ways to ask for things:
I ask for vintage stuff, so I know it'll be second-hand. Favs include vintage ceramic Christmas tree, and vintage curtains (they make really nice aprons!)
I've also asked for things for my car, tires, wipers, an oil change, etc.
Anyone who makes things, I always ask for handmade things. Scarves, soap, cookies, etc. I've asked for copies of recipes, too!
I've asked for "cool rocks" before, that was a fun gift!
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.
6:14 1. Thrifted
8:20 2. Practical
13:26 3. Sustainable
18:16 4. experiences
19:55 5. High Quality
21:48 6. Local and handmade
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
My family started the tradition of making gifts for each other when I was really tiny because money was tight for mom and dad and both have some mad crafting skills. I love that now when money is tight all my siblings are happy to get home made gifts.
I decided a few weeks ago I was going to bake and send cookies this year as gifts. I haven’t been this excited to give gifts in a little while. Plus I got my mom a cute Santa from the thrift store. Thanks for the great ideas!
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 !☺️🩵
Thank you for these ideas! I like how you broke them into categories and then gave specific examples.
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 got one of these last year for Turtles and it is absolutely amazing!
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!
Magazine subscriptions are nice, especially a digital one. Mother Jones, Harper’s, people doing investigative reporting journalism need to be supported now.
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.
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. ❤️
Tony’s goes crazy, and the massive bars make me feel like a kid again
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:)
Love the thrifted and make something combo. I made rosemary garlic salt in little glass bottles as gifts this year and it was delicious and such a hit with everyone.
Local farm stand giftcard! With a few snacks or soap with it. For the the impossible to shop for people
I agree with you!! I don't want stuff but I do love handmade, local, and thrifted! to give. great tips.
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.
This was the first gift giving guide that was actually really helpful! Thank you!
We don't spent a lot on each other now our girls are in their 30s and 40s.
I actually bought one daughter a vintage vase from charity shop for £4.00 today...i see one sold for over £300.00!! So she's going to be very happy I'm sure! I also make peg dolls to hang on the tree for some people. I made a garland of hand painted paper baubles for another daughter which she loves.
My husband will treat me through the coming year to Art sessions which i love doing so thats me happy!
Getting together is the main thing.
A few years ago, I decided I didn't want to continue the whole gift thing and told family that I literally want nothing and why. I understand that the mentality is "gifts=love", but I already know they love me. I don't need a bunch of small gifts I'm never going to use, like a chapstick case? I don't even use chapstick, the texture upsets me.
Anyways, as they think giving gifts is to express their love, it's having the adverse effect, that they dont care about me by not listening to my wishes. Watching the video and reading comments have been very inspirational. If anyone asks what I want, I think I'll try asking them to donate to a local farm or if they feel like they *need* to buy something physical, my favorite protein bar has a special offer where a portion of profits goes to support environment or agricultural education in Hawai'i.
In the past, holidays earn a groan from me from the thought of how wasteful they can be, but now I'm feeling more hopeful.
Thanks, and happy holidays, everyone!
I’m asking for a CSA (community-supported agriculture) membership from my parents for next Christmas. Sustainable, practical, and helps local farmers! I wish these were available everywhere.
would love to see a video on sustainable gift wrapping if you haven't made one already!
I’m on it 🫡
I watch for real fabric based ribbon, like satin, velvet, etc at thrift stores and yard sales year round. It is so much nicer than cheap throwaway plastic ribbons and bows, and can be saved and reused.
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.
Here in Italy having a bidet is the default in every house, so the idea of gifting someone a bidet is quite funny to me, it would be perceived like being gifted a sink😂
Great video btw, I think I will take inspiration from some of your ideas, especially for my dad
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
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
100% agree with the bidet thing. I've given one to every household in my family and friends over the last few years. They all love them (and bonus is that there are few houses I visit now that don't have a bidet to use)
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 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 LOVE YOU SHELBI!!!! 💚 Your channel is such a breath of fresh air!
So glad to find you here, thinking sustainably and ecologically! Thank you!
Wow! One of your best videos I love all your recommendations!! Love the socks company to buy a gift with a cause.
Honestly the best gift guide ever! I wish I saw it earlier, but thanks for so many great ideas for the future!❤
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.
I hand-make all my gifts to others now! Gift giving (and getting, let's be real, #traumatizedasachild) is a love language for me
New subscriber here! Somehow this is the first video of yours that I’ve seen, and checking your channel - there’s definitely more I’d like to hear from you! I really need to get on making my wish list - for others, but also for myself! I’m so forgetful these days and I get distracted in the thrift stores, etc. from getting what I need. Thank you and have a Merry Christmas!
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!
I love these ideas! And I don't know what it is in your last several videos, but you're glowing! 🥰
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.
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!
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.
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.
@@nanny8675309 based. ily
My favorite gift was my mom paying for my gym membership for a year or updating my phone because my old one died.
Los bolsos en kislux combinan con todo. ?Muchos elogios! ?Gran pieza para agregar a tu coleccin!
The best give i gave my mother in law was a Walmart gift card. She was older and on a very small income. She thanked me all year long.
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.
When our first kid was born, I started making photo calendars each christmas for my parents and the in laws. They have been a hit every year, and although they are a bit of a pain to make, I know that they are not only practical (all of the gift recievers still use paper calendars) but also a cute memento of the grandchildren throughout the year
I love my stasher bags! I just wanted to pop in and say that I got them because more than once I heard you talk about how much you liked them, then I saw them super discounted (like 70% off retail) at grocery outlet and bought 2. I tried them and went back a week later and got 10 more. I’ve had them 2 years and I barely use the plastic ones now.
I think my only issue with them is they will hold strong smells, I have a designated onion bag, onions aren’t allowed in any other bag. 😂
Suggestion!! If you are a business owner of any sort and provide a service, you can gift that service as a one time thing. So I am a photographer and I do family photos, maternity, couple, etc. and I have gifted free engagement photos to my friends who have gotten engaged or family photos to loved ones. That way I know I am still providing them with a gift for their big life moments, but I am not just picking something off of a registry or getting something that they do not actually need BUT instead gifting them photos
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😊
I’m doing a mostly handmade Christmas! It’s been fun. I’ve made jams, vanilla, & I’m knitting up a storm.
Great video and tips!!! Thank you. Love the practical / sustainable / local options
It's so cute how excited you get :) I also like the "wishlist pick + other personalized surprised gift" combo!
My mom asked for stasher bags for Christmas and I’m so excited 😄
So many great ideas! I really love the handmade ornaments 🎄