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ethical gift buying suitable for anyone

I see we’ve been discussing gift giving! I wrote a lot… I have strong opinions I guess…? Anyway, I feel like I often don’t know/understand what my family members like, but there are plenty of things almost anybody would use. (Note that this is not the same way I approach getting gifts for my close friends). Let’s start with specific examples: ADULTS You could get them a higher end, locally made item that anybody would use. Examples include… • hand cream • aftershave • candle • bath salts • coffee/tea Also good are things that will come in handy sooner or later, and they’ll think, “oh, _ got me that so now I don’t have to go to the store!” Such as… • phone charger (a 10ft charger that will last a while is always nice to have) • that tea/coffee you know they have every day • pet treats, if you know what kind of treats the pet likes For sentimental reasons, your parents and grandparents would LOVE a picture of you, and they’re so cheap to get printed! Just thrift a picture frame and voila. Dice game? I’ve had success with/watched people fight over… • weighted or heated blankets • personal massager (no not that kind but I would love to see someone try that) • Candy, but like, good or rare candy. For instance, I am American and I won a box of hobnobs last year, they were so good *tip: avoid alcohol - you probably have at least one current/recovering alcoholic in any given room. Live in a cold area? Try… • again, hand cream • wool gloves/mittens/socks • balaclava (just finished walking my dog and the whole time my brain was going “fuckfuckfuckIneedabalaclava”) KIDS Kids in your life under the age of 10? Go to the dollar store. They’ll never know or care how much money you spent on them. I try really hard not to get a bunch of plastic toys that will live in landfills for a thousand years. I prefer getting coloring books, finger paints, plushies, and books for kids. I have been told that they always get used and enjoyed. I also wrap their gifts in newspaper instead of buying that stupid, waxy, non-recyclable wrapping paper, because they really don’t give a fuck what it comes in. I promise. They are going to rip it to shreds either way. I have little advice for preteens/teens because I don’t have any of those around yet. However, I am only 24, and I’ll say that I remember enjoying trendy clothes and money. Pay attention to them and what they’re into though! Or ask their parents! Obviously your 14 year old goth cousin does not want lululemon. If you do that, you will be proving to them that you don’t pay attention to them, and that’s much worse than just getting them a gift card or cash. I also remember my sleeping schedule being awful, which is a universal truth for all teens, so maybe a calming pillow spray or noise cancelling earplugs? GENERAL TIPS Don’t skip this part, this is the good stuff! The crux of everything I’ve written so far! 1. Back to “ethical,” there is no need to waste your money on non-recyclable wrapping paper, bags, bows, etc. You know, that waxy, kind of shiny stuff? Your loved ones shouldn’t care that it came in an Aldi bag or the same box your new vacuum arrived in a few weeks ago. There’s also something so downright chic about presents wrapped in plain brown wrapping paper and tied with a piece of twine. 2. Really good advice you’ve probably heard before but I’ll repeat now is, “get something that they would like and use but would not splurge on for themselves.” And then get the nicer, splurge-ier version of that thing. This is a GREAT opportunity to shop local and avoid cheap plastic things. 3. If you struggle every year with gift giving for certain people, try, in preparation for next year, to subtly write down the names of restaurants/authors/musicians they mention. I keep a list in my notes app that has saved my life. 4. In that same vein, don’t be afraid to get like, hyper specific about it— last year I got my uncle a gift card for the bar I know he likes to watch football at. Something I had 100% confidence would get used. This year I think I’ll get him a gift card to the butcher shop he goes to. 5. My final and most crucial piece of advice: always think, “would I be pissed about having another thing I need to get rid of if I received this?” Some examples: if you don’t feel confident that you know someone’s interior design/personal style well, simply do not get them decor or clothes. Unless you’ve heard them mention wanting to read it, don’t get them a book. This is stuff that will get returned, sold, or donated, so all you’re doing is giving them a task they have to deal with. Like the Kanye West water bottle tweet. *final plug for shopping local: keep in mind that Amazon workers in major cities are on strike through cyber Monday! You wouldn’t cross a picket line would you? Would you???

@erikrikrika

Nov 30, 2024

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Mini gifts

The secret is accumulation 😆 I buy the odd trinket or beauty product that "reminds me" of friends and family when shopping around, until I amass enough to package together as a kit or hamper. They also work as a bonus thrown in with the big gift.

@thisismoy

Nov 30, 2024

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Plan gifts in advance

gift giving is such a classy thing imo and it’s so so good when you get it right. for people I’ve known for a long time I keep a running list in my notes app with things I know they will like. If you don’t know, ask someone who is close with them. Give them a list of options and make them help you narrow it down. Good general categories for when you’re just not sure are: - books (ask someone what they like) - kitchen items (find out whether they’re a baker, a cake person, a bread person, etc) - outdoorsy shit if they’re outdoorsy (multi tools, portable cooking equipment etc) - cute boxes or bags (if the thing is cheap or practical but boring you can give it that wow factor by putting it inside something else) Finally, if you have no idea what to get someone, most people will appreciate a really nice jar of small-batch jam or honey. Or movie vouchers.

@murdonner

Nov 30, 2024

Top Recs from @oklee

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magic of JALAPEÑOS

This magical soup calls for a can of Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup and a small jar of Diced Jalapeños. Put the soup on the stove and stir in as many spoonfuls of jalapeños as you can handle. And then double that amount. It will be hot. You will be snotty. It will be delicious. It will be spicy. By the end of it, your sinuses will be clear, your body will be warm, and at the very least you, will have felt to have achieved something even in your sickness.

@oklee

Dec 18, 2024

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alpaca coat from the uk

On a crisp (quite cold) sunny morning in Cambridge, my friend Peyton and I stopped by a Sunday market with a variety of different vendors. I was sold this coat by a lovely lady selling dozens of vintage coats-- after having just mentioned to my friend that I missed my "Narnia Jacket," a deep purple fur jacket I had in the first grade. I tried it on and knew I had to buy it. It kept me warm through the chilly streets of London, even on nights out when I hadn't much under. Special mentions: The cleaner across the street from my flat in Islington that took the stains and of sulfur off it after a joyous trip to Reykjavik. For £10. Also, the cat card holder I got from that same market. His eyes are stained and baggy now, so I'm on the hunt for something new.

@oklee

Dec 18, 2024