My Unpopular Opinion on Gift-Giving This Year

I LOVE giving gifts. I also really like getting gifts, but I'd much rather give. I love the whole process: coming up with something meaningful/useful/needed/wanted, buying, wrapping. What I don't love though, is the idea that we need to buy stuff just to buy stuff. I aim to make sure the gifts I am giving are practical; consumable, needed or wanted, not going to be put to waste. In my opinion, buying gifts just to buy gifts is a waste of money. And y'all know how I feel about being budget-friendly!

In the current economic climate, many people are having to choose between groceries or gas, so where do gifts fit in? For us, I've been very transparent with family that our budget is tight right now. We're shopping sales, making homemade gifts, gifting necessities, etc. In return, I ask for the same thing. My gift lists have always been practical items; things that I am going to be buying myself anyway, so if I can get a helping hand, I'll take it! "Kitchy" or impractical items or things we have a perfectly good one of already will sit in a closet and likely end up on the buy and sell. There. I said it. I have enough bath bombs that don't get used. I don't need anymore funny coffee mugs, and my kitchenware all gets the job done. If you'd really like to buy me something, I'll provide you a list of things that are on my personal wish list to eventually/hopefully buy for myself. Also on that list will be diapers, gift cards, etc.

Why I'm Picky About Gift Cards

Ready for another unpopular opinion? I think gift cards are not personal to give, but I love receiving them. Haha, I know, you can't have your cake and eat it too, right?

Gift cards for groceries, gas, the liquor store (more so for hubs), Tim Hortons or Starbucks, or box stores like Walmart or Costco are incredibly valuable. Gift cards to Sephora, Victoria's Secret, or Bath & Body Works are not. Sorry if I'm hurting feeling here guys. Gift cards for restaurants or experiences are great as long as they are something we can do as a family. The intention behind a gift card being for a date night is so appreciated, but not practical as it requires us to arrange childcare, etc. which is another expense for us.

Sheesh, You Sure Are Opinionated

Ya, I have strong opinions on this. And I know my opinions may be unpopular.

I recently came across a post on my Facebook feed:

Yes! Yes! Yes! This resonated with me like crazy! And to add to it, I would go as far as saying it can be seen as selfish to give gifts based on your wishes rather than the recipient's. Know what else? It can also be insulting. For example, gifting me a Bath & Body Works cherry blossom scented lotion and body wash set shows you absolutely don't know me, or care about my interests at all seeing as I use natural deodorant, essential oil body spray, and paraben free soaps and shampoos in the shower. See what I'm saying?

The Exceptions

Now, like anything, there are exceptions to my "rules". I used to work with hundreds of children daily. As a result, I'd often receive a handful of gifts before Christmas holidays. I'd get the typical chocolates, Starbucks gift cards, candles, or hand lotions. These are sweet, inexpensive gestures, and I see it as different than "gift-giving". Is that fair to say? Gift-giving is dedicated to close family and friends. Those you're supposed to know and be able to give them something that says "I love and care about you".

What's On Our Christmas Lists This Year

For the last few years, I have thrown together a quick little website for family to view and order gifts from. This way the links go directly to the item and there is no guessing involved. Included on our lists this year are:

Korbin: Flash cards, busy board, carseat tray, kitchen helper stand, mess free colouring, diapers, living room chair, passes to our local indoor playgrounds and learning hub

Cole: Hand vacuum, two-sided griddle, Whiskey, Home Depot gift card (we have some renos we want to do), Winter boots, underwear

Meagan: parenting book, grape cutter, hair pins, huggies earrings, frying pan, stock pot, PJs, popcorn air popper, Winter boots

I want to know, what's your opinion on gift-giving?

xo.Meg