Crap-Free Christmas Gifts

"Where's all the clutter?" -Ladybug
Berry Holiday Capelette by Bugduds

Here's an oldie but goodie for today:) Enjoy.....

12/16/09

As an organizer, I hear confessions on a regular basis. I've heard about the food that's been in the pantry since the '90's, the authentic disco pants that still make appearances, and the most common confession of all, "Beth, I just own WAY too much crap!" As Americans, we ALL own too much crap. So lets do each other a favor! With that, I bring you the 2nd annual Crap-Free Christmas Gifts.

Tickets
Give the gift of an experience. Season tickets are the gift that keeps on giving!

• Astros/Rockets/Texans Tickets
• Gym Membership
• Concert Tickets
• Dinner Theatre Tickets
• Season Tickets to the Houston Zoo
• Baby sitting tickets - to give to a busy mom to "cash in" whenever she'd like

Consumables

Anything that will eventually be used up in some shape or form.

• Edible Arrangements - their chocolate covered strawberries are to die for
• Homemade Yummies - Martha has some great packaging ideas!
• Meat of the month clubs -how we Texans love our red meat!
• Handmade Bath Fizzies
• Homemade Lip Balm
• Bath Snowballs
• Basket of Tea or Coffee items
• Honey Baked Ham
  

Lessons
Couldn't we all stand to learn a little more?

• Cooking Lessons
• Spanish Lessons (If you are shopping for me, please buy me this..I no habla any espanol)
• Ballroom Dancing - guys..your woman would be floored if you got them this
• Self-defense class
• Continuing education classes
• Flying lessons - how cool would that be?
  

Gift Certificates
Not all gift certificates have to be boring! Here are a few that will be greatly appreciated!

• Custom portraits (great for families!)
• Car Detailing
• Bed & Breakfast - a 1 or 2 night getaway
  
• A local greenhouse gift cert - present it in a beautiful pot eager for a new plant
  
• Maid Service (for a month or even a year)
• Netflix or Blockbuster Online - my brother got me netflix last year, and it could be the best gift I've ever received!
• Spa services - massage, manicure, facial, etc. (this is a repeat from last years list...it's that important)
  
• Image Consulting or Professional organizing service from Tres Chic Designs (teehee)
  

Crap-free Christmas Gifts **Flashback**

Thought you guys might enjoy a little blast from the past today! I'm working on a new list of clutter-free (or crap-free) gifts for 2009, but in the meantime, here is a flashback from last year...

"He recycled this gift! He's a regifter!" -Elaine Benes

As you conquer your Christmas list, give your favorite people gifts that won't be just another piece of crap laying around cluttering up their home (the aramotherapy alarm clock zen rock fountain seemed like a great gift at the time...). Here are some of my favorite crap-free ideas:

Yummy "of-the-month" clubs - Fruit of the month, Wine of the month, beer, cheese, ham, farm animals...whatever makes the receiver happy.

Gift wrap an experience - instead buying the newest high price electronic item, put that money toward a getaway vacation. That new iMac will be obsolete in a few years, but those vacation memories will never die.

Give the gift of culture - tickets to a movie, theatre, art gallery, opera, museum OR any sporting event

Consumable Gift Certificates - Dinner date for 2, Starbucks, Smoothie Shops, or favorite restaurants...not to be confused with actually eating the certificate.

Adopt an animal from the Houston Zoo or a beautiful Florida Manatee

Donate to a charity that the receiver is passionate about

Monthly Bill Relief - if they are a really good friend, take on one of their annoying monthly bills, or give them a monthly luxury (lawn moving services, housekeeping, babysitting, gas, dry-cleaning, car wash, gym membership, or grocery gift cards)

Cyperspace - gift card to iTunes, Netflix, or an online magazine

Spa Treatments - massage, facial, mani/pedi. ATTENTION ALL MEN: you can never go wrong with this one.

Invest - Savings Bonds, stocks, etc.

Hire a professional organizer...ya know..to help them get rid of the crap they get from other people (Tres Chic Designs Professional Organizers)

Crap-Free Christmas

"He recycled this gift! He's a regifter!" -Elaine Benes

As you conquer your Christmas list, give your favorite people gifts that won't be just another piece of crap laying around cluttering up their home (the aramotherapy alarm clock zen rock fountain seemed like a great gift at the time...). Here are some of my favorite crap-free ideas:

Yummy "of-the-month" clubs - Fruit of the month, Wine of the month, beer, cheese, ham, farm animals...whatever makes the receiver happy.

Gift wrap an experience - instead buying the newest high price electronic item, put that money toward a getaway vacation. That new iMac will be obsolete in a few years, but those vacation memories will never die.

Give the gift of culture - tickets to a movie, theatre, art gallery, opera, museum OR any sporting event

Consumable Gift Certificates - Dinner date for 2, Starbucks, Smoothie Shops, or favorite restaurants...not to be confused with actually eating the certificate.

Adopt an animal from the Houston Zoo or a beautiful Florida Manatee

Donate to a charity that the receiver is passionate about

Monthly Bill Relief - if they are a really good friend, take on one of their annoying monthly bills, or give them a monthly luxury (lawn moving services, housekeeping, babysitting, gas, dry-cleaning, car wash, gym membership, or grocery gift cards)

Cyperspace - gift card to iTunes, Netflix, or an online magazine

Spa Treatments - massage, facial, mani/pedi. ATTENTION ALL MEN: you can never go wrong with this one.

Invest - Savings Bonds, stocks, etc.

Hire a professional organizer...ya know..to help them get rid of the crap they get from other people