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Giving non-consumerist holiday gifts to save the world

written by

Aaron Miller

posted on

November 26, 2021

I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving. Now that that's over, you know what's next -- the holiday craziness! I do love the holidays - spending time with loved ones, eating amazing food, and giving special gifts. But… 

Whether you buy gifts for many people or a few, gift giving can be pretty nerve-wracking.... at least it is for me!

Yup, I'm that weird person. As much as possible, I try to buy experience gifts or non-consumerist gifts for the holidays. Because, gee, do we really need more junk in the world!?

Non-consumerist (or anti-consumerist) gifts support the idea that one shouldn't be continually buying and consuming material possessions. We buy what we need, and that’s it. 

I break down non-consumerist gifts into two basic categories: experience and food. Here are a bunch of suggestions for each:

Experience Gift Ideas

Give the gift of learning or doing something. Whether you do this with the giftee or not is up to you.

  • Tickets or a gift card to a museum, a theater, a concert, a sports game, or a class
  • A subscription to excite culinary tastes (coffee, wine, meal kits, etc)
  • A subscription to an online streaming service (movies, TV, or educational)
  • A kit for making crafts or a food
  • A kit for growing a plant or mushrooms
  • A board or card game
  • Kitchen supplies to enhance a cooking experience (egg timer, meat thermometer, dumpling steamer, etc) 

Food Gift Ideas

Whether a favorite food or a food that expands the culinary palate, give the gift of deliciousness and good health.

Do you have a gift giving strategy? What’s the best gift you’ve ever given or received? 

I’d love to hear from you. Comment below (no account required) or contact us.

Opinion

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