Soulful Finds #0003
A Holiday Gift Guide for gifts that keep on giving
I came across this Instagram post by @labelle_eco_life sharing 52 clutter-free gift ideas that basically fall under 5 categories: Experiences, Classes, Time, Memberships and Consumables. I don’t know where Substack subscriptions fall under, memberships maybe, but I think that’s a gift that I wouldn’t mind getting too!
Consumables tend to be on top of my gift giving list. It’s practical, usually affordable yet much appreciated, and you know it will be used in time. I’m almost 100% sure it’s not going to add clutter to the home.
If you’re thinking, “Aren’t gift cards better so they can buy what they want?” Well, I’ve helped enough clients declutter to see that gift cards tend to stay unused and it is not uncommon for people to discover cash or checks still in their gift envelopes, tucked between books or under a drawer. Anything of value or experiential with an expiry date needs to be gifted with enough thought that the receiver is dutiful enough to use them. Which is why I always go for practical consumables.
Practical gifts can be tricky though. It toes the fine line between truly useful and really niche.
A friend posted on Instagram about someone suggesting shoe inserts and grips as a great gift idea and my initial reaction was an instant “NO”. Not everyone will use them.
In my case, I hardly use shoe inserts let alone shoe grips for my footwear. I have about 200 pairs of shoes, and I would say only 2% make use of shoe inserts. My Hermes Oran sandal which has a ball insert (honestly it can do without, it just so happened I had a set lying around, gifted yes), 2 pairs of Martiniano glove flats that have arch support (it came in a pack of two, hence 2 pairs used, abruptly purchased after walking around Manhattan and realizing Martinianos are not made for intense city walks) and a pair of Veja V-10 sneakers that have heel insoles so the back wont dig into the back of my ankle. Save for the Veja V-10s, I find that if you invest in good quality shoes, you don’t really need shoe inserts and grips.
So anyway, that was random but hope you got my point. Never assume what is an essential for you is an essential for everyone else. In my case, I make it a point to choose gifts that would tick all these boxes as much as possible:
something I have vetted and would personally love receiving
considering the above, still, universally appealing
ideally, indulgent such that the receiver would want it but would never have bought it for themselves. If they do buy it for themselves regularly, they would appreciate having backups on hand
Check all three, and you’ve got a guaranteed hit. That said, here’s a list of practical gifts that won’t become clutter, and will definitely warm the hearts of everyone lucky enough to get them from you!
Fruit boxes
I still remember the first time we received a box of Harry & David “Royal Riviera” pears we got as a gift from my husband’s law firm. I no longer remember the occasion, but I still remember those sweet, juicy pears and how we savored each indulgent fruit. I didn’t realize pears could taste that good. I’ve never tasted any pear that comes as close. To this day, I still have a sweet spot for Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, all because of a box of fruits.
Cashmere anything
Depending on your budget, gifting cashmere will surely be warmly received. An eye mask, beanie or a pair of socks would probably be the entry level gift; a scarf or sweater would be next, while a blanket or throw would be top tier.
Don’t you dare diss socks, more so when it’s made from cashmere . According to The Cut,
“Nice socks are the perfect example: We’d feel guilty shelling out for, say, a cashmere or designer set, but we’d love to wear them. And even the not-fancy pairs are a treat if you’re the type of person who doesn’t replace yours often.”
Handwoven placemats and/or table napkins
Our gift of choice this year. We ordered handwoven placemats from Ilocos Norte, a province in northern tip of the Philippines, in red and green stripes, not only to support local and keep the tradition alive, but also because they were really festive and looked so pretty on our table. I encouraged family and friends to open their gifts so we can all use our new placemats this holiday season. That’s almost like celebrating together, even if we are all in our own homes.
Gourmet snacks, coffee or tea
Last year, we gave out gourmet popcorns for Christmas - a set of Truffle Cheese and Chicago Mix popcorn, freshly popped just days earlier, and it was such a hit, I often got asked by family and friends where they could get more. Come to think of it, I do miss having it this year, I think this deserves a repeat next year!
Another memorable gift I got that still gives me the holiday feels was a tin of Christmas tea from Mariage Freres that my friend Emee gave me. I made it last an entire year, because seeing the festive tin can and savoring the spiced tea made me happy and giddy all year round.
Semi and Ready-to-eat food
Hit two categories with one stone, by giving the gift of time and a delicious meal at the same time. For busy folks who often need a quick and filling dish to get through off hours hunger pangs, nothing spells like love when all they have to do is boil some noodles, pour out the pasta sauce from a bottle and call it a meal.
This about rounds up my tried and tested Christmas gift hits. If you’ve done your shopping early, I applaud you for your organization and planning skills. If you’re still putting together stuff to send out, try any of the above, and no one would know you bought everything last minute!