With the coming of Christmas comes the giving of gifts. One great gift (Jesus) spawns a million little ones.
I’m not much of a shopper. Nora loves it. The pleasure is two-fold, I believe:
- Snag a deal
- Find the perfect gift for everybody
For Nora, gift-hunting season is a year-round sport, but the playoffs begin on Black Friday. She is one of those people who gets up at oh-dark-thirty to storm the stores as they open. Pippa and Grey typically join her. I don’t, because everyone knows I’m a lightweight and would crap out after an hour.
Of course, I still have some gift giving to do, for Nora and others, so what to do? What does a Crappy Shopper give for Christmas?
In my experience, here’s what people really want for Christmas:
What people want and what they get are two different things. Toddlers want a box to play in, but get an avalanche of junk plastic toys instead. Adults want money but are too embarrassed to ask for it.
Gift givers don’t like to give cash much either, because it shows a lack of effort. So they buy gift cards, which shows a lack of effort anyway, and is less appreciated than cash.
My solution? Dollar origami. It demonstrates effort and creativity, and gives people the opportunity to get what they really want.
For beginners, I recommend the Dollar Shirt. For lovers, the Heart or Ring. For a more complicated project, I like the Christmas Wreath.
What about you? What do you want for Christmas? What are you giving?
I love the most desired gift chart.
My own experience in gifting is that once you hit the upper echelons of age, you start looking around the house for things you know the givee likes. That makes 2 people happy. The person on the receiving end of course, but you also. You know it’s going to the person you want it to, and it’s one less thing you have to dust.
And, since we’re talking Personal Finance here, what could be more economical?
Awesome idea. Can those of us in solid middle age gift away things around the house as well?
Love the origami idea. I just created a turtle for my cousin’s birthday card.
Thank you!
Sarah
I def don’t think there’s an age minimum for selectively gifting things from around the house. Sounds like a good reuse of quality things.
Glad you found an origami design you liked!
Some people think that giving money as a gift is tacky. I think it’s all in the presentation. This is a really great idea of making it into origami (just as long as you don’t destroy any of it in the process!). You’ve personalized it and made it memorable.
Last time I gave someone cash, I attached it nicely inside a nice canvas bag (that I got for free at some event). It was very well received…and not just because of what it was.
Sounds like a good creative gifting idea! Thanks for sharing.