A Meaningful and Green Gift Guide
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It is certainly the thought that counts, but when we have so much junk in landfills, we could all use a bit of a longer ‘thought’ before buying gifts. As many have the Love Language of Gifts, giving a thoughtful gift is a great way to show someone you know them and love them.
I’ve polled the masses and here are some ideas for gifts that are a little more “green” and you can still insert a lot of thought!
QUICK #TRACISTIPS :
Experiences generally > Items
Look at someone’s Instagram to see their interests. My cousin saw me share a sweatshirt I liked in my stories from Somewhere in Carmel and bought it for me for my bday. Another friend bought me All Roads napkins I had shared. It was such a thoughtful surprise!
A Pet Peeve of mine is to receive a Christmas themed item ON Christmas because now I will need to wait 320 days to use this item. Gift items earlier in December so they can enjoy!
When making something as a gift, it usually costs MORE to DIY and the time commitment is substantial. I also insist you ask the recepient for input. When they like it, they will use it and honor your many hours of work!
From one of the best gift givers I know, Haley Maness, “I like to think about the person and what makes them calm or content. I try to find something that would be a special addition to that.”
It’s OK to give guidance (I even confirmed with Emily Post Institute!). Something like, “Hi family! In case anyone is looking for gift ideas for little Frances, she is so into music right now that a music class would be really fun. She is also in need of some warm clothing, is size 18-24 and some of our favorite brands are Quincy Mae and the shop, Mini Mint in Santa Cruz.”
Depending on our budget for the year, we typically range from $40-$70 per family member.
Tips are a very nice way to say ‘thank you’ for anyone providing a pay-for-service in your life. A general guide is double the price of their service but that has never been in our budget, so $50 and a nice card is usually what we can swing for our beloved service providers like Nanny, Housekeeping, etc.
Now, onto specific gift ideas!! Gifts are clearly one of my love languages, so I really let my hair down here;)
#Tracistip: Sweets are not always a welcome gift because many struggle with trying to stay healthy during the holidays. There is always a big pile of items like this in the back of the hospitals and offices I have worked in.
TEACHERS
When asked what teachers love to receive for the holidays, one teacher named Mia responded: “If I’m being honest, GIFT CARDS. My husband and I are teachers and…we have been relying of gift cards to put food on the table.”
The resounding answer from the teachers I polled was gift cards; from Starbucks to Target to restaurants, gift cards are an easy way to be generous with the person who spends so many hours a week with your child. Believe it or not, teachers do NOT love “Teacher Swag,” like mugs with apples or pencils on them.
Don’t forget a nice card and write what you appreciate about him/her and be sure to get your student involved! Art always goes a long way in my book and I know some teachers keep cards like this for many years.
A gift card and a thoughtful note is always an appreciated gift for a teacher or coach.
Teachers (doctors, house-keepers, coaches, etc.) also love WINE! But many people also do not!
#TRACISTIP: You can ask their favorite kind of beverages ahead of time to gage if they actually like/drink wine or if you want to go more a Starbucks/fancy tea selection direction. It would be a shame to gift a bottle to someone who doesn’t drink for whatever reason.
Sara Pena (or as my sister calls her, ‘Madame Syrah’) from Duckhorn Vineyard and Duckhorn Portfolio shares her most consistently well-loved bottles to gift:
She (like myself) thinks you can’t go wrong with champagne. Veuve Clicquot $60ish (cheapest at Costco) is a generous bottle to gift and always feels special to drink.
Veuve Clicquot $58 (Costco has it for $48) is a generous bottle to gift and always feels special to drink.
TRACISTIP: Look for the Duck!
Madame Syrah says, “Decoy is also a crowd pleaser and makes several white and red wines plus a sparkling that was introduced recently. The Decoy Sauvignon Blanc and the Sparkling are two of my favorites, and that not just because I work for them! You should be able to find them at Safeway or Whole Foods (and some at Costco).”
Tip: Look for the Duck. Duckhorn and Decoy are solid labels to gift. The sparkling Decoy is a favorite of Madame Syrah’s.
You can read more about Madame Syrah’s everyday wine recommendations BY CLICKING HERE (trust me, you want to click there).
FRIENDS + FAMILY
My starting place is usually to think about one of their hobbies and then buy an extra expensive upgrade of a simple item. (I.e. super fancy olive oil for a salad lover or cook in my life). When we can afford it, I love to give Vuori for men especially.
Air BNB allows you to buy gift certificates and your recipient can choose a local experience, from pottery to visiting with a pony. There is always the risk they won’t cash in the gift card, so could be helpful to check in a few weeks later and offer to help pick an activity.
Side note: Now, more than ever before, your local small shops need you to help support their brick-and-mortar locations, as the pandemic has caused mass small-shop casualties. They can offer personalized assistance at finding the perfect gift (and you will probably find yourself a little something, too!). Many of them have online shops, too!
Experiences > Objects. You can gift an AirBNB Gift Card so your loved one can have the EXPERIENCE of their choice. It would be so fun to do one together, from Foraging Mushrooms to Learning How to Make Dumplings, there is something really unique and fun for everyone.
I am obsessed with Aloha pouches. They are bags that come in handy for LITERALLY EVERYTHING, from putting wet kids’ clothing in to toting around craft supplies or traveling. They make the perfect gift for your sister or babysitter.
The Book ‘Wine Simple: A totally approachable guide from a world class sommelier’ ($18) is the perfect gift for your wine-loving friend to elevate their knowledge!
The Sparitual Citrus Cardamom Foot Balm ($20) and Nordstrom’s famous butter socks (3 for $20) are a match made in heaven for any lady in your life. When I was Admin in an office, one of the parents gave me these socks, wrapped in the silver Nordstrom box and it felt SO luxurious and special, even though they are less than $10!
I adore Brightland Olive Oil and found myself happily eating more salads when I had their mini bottle in my lunch bag for on-the-go salad dressings. I think it’s such a luxurious gift for any cook or salad-lover in your life. “The Spout” you can add-on is older and really brings it up a notch, too ($37, Brightland.com).
Your Foodie Friend will love this beautiful and modern set of trivets from Food52. The color combinations are really lovely and they come in handy all the time in my kitchen ($40).
When we can afford it, Vuori is the softest and coziest athleisure that I love to gift! It’s the perfect answer for the close male relative who already has everything.
I am OBSESSED with my Glerups and am convinced they make the best gift ever. They last FOR-EV-VER, are soooo cozy and the wool makes them not stinky and bacteria repellant. The company has a really cool story, too. I have the leather slip on version ($100), but the rubber sole is a nice upgrade if you plan to go outside somewhat frequently.
The surprising sleeper: This may look like an ordinary tool , but it is actually 13 tools-in-one. You pull the handle down and can automatically transform it into a screwdriver, flat head or 11 other bits. The updated Craftsman Auto-Loading Ratcheting Bit Set ($22) is a great gift for everyone from a college student to a new homeowner. This is mine from 9 years ago!
KIDS
I love to wax on about gifting experiences like passes or an in-person “date” for kids. Aquarium or zoo memberships, a season pass to The Boardwalk or Baby Music lessons are some of my favorites. If you don’t know much about the young people you are buying for, use the opportunity to get to know them a little better! Ask their parents about their current interest, favorite characters, etc. Gift cards or cash always work, but I personally like to give experiences or gifts.
The eitquette podcast I listen to (Awesome Etiquette) also has had parents write in umpteenth times asking how to tell people not to buy certain gifts that they don’t allow in the home. When you check in with the parents, it’s the perfect time for them to also direct you if there is anything not allowed in the home (for example: play guns, video games… I’ve even heard plastic toys).
I will be personalizing jean jackets for my nieces this Christmas.
Previous years, I am personalized jean jackets for my nieces. I embroidered their names and had them pick out a pin that represents one of their interests. I wasn’t exactly sure which pin best represented each girl’s current interests, so I text their moms to have the kids pick. I found cute and comfortable smaller versions for the babes/toddlers from Target.
TRACISTIP: If you are making something for someone (kids included), check in with them regarding colors/options. You don’t have to spoil the surprise, but it is MUCH more likely your recipient will use and love what you made if it is their style. My aunt has let me pick the fabrics for my kids’ quilts and I am SO appreciative!
We ordered this set off Instagram, but they are much less expensive on Amazon. They are actually quite therapeutic for me and my husband to stack!!
I bought Coco a steel drum (although I ended up using more than him!)…
YOUR PARTNER:
I do quite like to revisit the story of The Gift of The Magi for inspiration this time of year. My husband and I go back and forth between going big or omitting gifts for each other depending on the year. Whatever you do, just be sure to agree on a plan and don’t use the “don’t buy me anything” line if you don’t truly mean it.
FOR A TRICKY FAMILY OR GROUP GIFT
My boyfriend at the time (my now husband) invited me to go to Maui with his family for Christmas the first year we were dating. I stressed if I should try to buy small-medium gifts for 5 people I don’t know very well, but will be with on Christmas morning. I ended up purchasing a group gift and I have to say… eight years later I still feel like it was the perfect solution. I had found Liberty Puzzles years earlier and used an entire paycheck from Anthropologie to pay for my first puzzle (which I still have and love!). Each piece is laser cut in Boulder, Colorado and simply put: whimsical (with shapes like ballerinas and guitars).
Liberty Puzzles are heirloom quality and make a thoughtful that that can be enjoyed for years to come.
This modernized heirloom Backgammon set from set from The Museum of Modern Art would make a great gift for your game-loving family or hosts ($115).
YOUR HEALTHCARE TEAM
Every year while working in the hospital and in medical offices, I am always astounded about how many patients bring sweets in for their medical team (we end up with a huge pile). Don’t get me wrong… the gesture is appreciated and they eventually get stress-eaten, but as we are encouraging our patients to make healthier choices, we are trying to do that ourselves. Wine, fancy nut mixes and fruit baskets are all healthier alternatives.
I polled almost 30 physicians and asked what they would love to receive from you. They said: put your thanks on paper. A heartfelt card about specifically WHY that provider means a lot to you is more meaningful than you will ever know (you can also submit an official thanks to your healthcare system’s program, see below).
If you are crafty, or have a specific talent, that can be a great gift too! You can make a small ornament, or if you have another skill (pottery, for example), then you can make them something small, but words are always the most meaningful. Remember to keep any gift to under $50, as most healthcare facilities have a cap on gift-giving as a way of keeping the practice ethical.
Every place I have every worked has a type of staff feedback program to write a quick note of thanks and another program where you can donate as a way of honoring a staff member.
GIFT WRAPPING
I used a few different garlands from the dollar section at Target for these sweet gift-toppers (the wooden houses and candy canes were $3 for a garland). The faux Christmas branches are from Joanne’s and are perfect to both adorn gifts and tuck into wreaths for an everlasting green!
“Brown Paper Packages tied up in String…” This brown kraft paper from Amazon is a game changer and comes in handy for all kinds of things ($22.97 and lasts forever). It’s the perfect light weight for gift wrapping and I also use it to roll-out under paper for painting and crafts for my toddler!
(Middle gift:) I deconstructed the Trader Joe’s holiday felt garland and hot glued the poms to brown craft paper for a DIY expensive Anthropologie wrapping paper hack. The garland is available starting November 19th and sells out fast!
Gift Wrapping PRO TIP: Use a hot glue gun to make your packages look seamless and avoid a mess of tape.
Ikea has some lovely gift bags that are perfect for clothing and the oddly-shaped gift ($6-8 for pack of 2).