"I don't know"
is a portal
to the richness inside us.
Neal Allen

We are a family of readers. One of us has an advanced degree in library sciences + has worked in a library for ten years. We don't have to own a lot of books, but we know that they can be truly good gifts.

I was trying to find a book to give each of my people for Christmas...knowing that it's hard to find a book we will want to keep...that the librarian hasn't already read or couldn't grab during any ol' work day. A few titles surfaced that I can't wait to share. I can't purchase all of them, so an alternative gift came to mind that is perfect for this last week before Christmas.

I'm making a (short) list of books I find just for each person. I'm writing a little bit about why they might like each book + including money to purchase one they think they'd like to keep. If they'd like to use the money to buy a few warm drinks to accompany library books, that would warm my heart as well.  :)

Thoughtful gifts are my favorites to give + to receive. Things are just things, but thoughtful gifts are something more. They are a true offering of connection. 

A recent white elephant gift exchange sparked conversations + deepened a sense of connection + shared interest over as varied topics as the benefits of Japanese hot springs, the inspired writings of Rick Rubin + the life giving magic of eating colorful salads in winter months. Beautiful.

May all your gifts, given + received, be recognized as offerings of connection...and appreciated to their fullest potential.

Much love,
Jane

Internet minimalism comes with a lot of talk about the purging of stuff. True minimalism will have a decreased emphasis on letting things go over time, because it will emphasize diminishing the acquisition of things. Even still, periodic inventory taking is necessary, and maybe this is the time of year to use it to peak advantage.

Things are resources. They require resources to make + take up space as waste. These days, brand new things don't necessarily have more life in them than previously used things. New things are the more culturally acceptable category of gifts, but we can imagine a different way.

Here are a few ways I can imagine our ready-to-pass-on things becoming good gifts:

• A group of people is invited to a shared document with two columns: one for items they are looking for, one for items they are looking to rehome. Matches become gifts in either direction!  :)
• A group of friends or family with children trades toys rather than purchasing new ones for each other. The same might work with clothing for teenagers or adults.
• People exchange books from their own shelves with notes included about why a book was chosen for that person. Maybe a specific genre is chosen for a group with a common interest...like craft books or cookbooks with projects/recipes highlighted + notes included.
• Exchange pre-enjoyed puzzles or games + a favorite homemade snack. This one could provide the evening's entertainment as well!
• Exchange a propagation of a plant! Maybe an extra pot could even be found. Planting them together could be fun too (only one bag of soil to be purchased).
• Agree that what is done with a gift after it is given is the recipient's choice. Responsibly passing something on (again) allows it to be a gift to someone else, and that is beautiful.
• Don't pass on things that just become someone else's responsibility to dispose of. If in doubt, ask first with special sensitivity.
• Notes are gifts. Take time to write a few words or have your little one draw a picture of why their cousin is going to love playing with this toy. Mmmm...squishy feels!
• Treat it like a gift. Depill the sweater. Shine up the baby shoes. Wrap it beautifully. Presentation infers value.

Many of us find frustration in having too much. Maybe we found value in that book at one or many time(s), but we have many other books too. Maybe our child loved that toy for a year, but now has a new interest. Maybe we always reach for a different sweater. At the same time, many of us are going to shop for books, toys + sweaters. 
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Again, gifting has so much to do with expectations. This sort of gifting may only work with a handful of like-minded friends + family. Then again, maybe one conversation is all that it takes. Best wishes for a comfortable gifting season full of generosity + connection!

Love,
Jane

One way our family has fun with gifts is to gift personal favorites. We often set very specific terms like gifting everyone the same gift that costs $5 or less. We have fun hearing why the giver loves this item + why they think we have to try it. These are things we might not usually talk about...a favorite pen, new snack discovery, a cherished ritual...and it always prompts a variety of connecting feels.

I have a feeling this is becoming an annual sort of post. It's just that time of year again, and I love this sort of thing! It ticks all the boxes for a simple, gratitude-inducing, inexpensive, thoughtful, low waste sort of celebration in my book.

It really is a fun way to gift, and prompts us to rediscover reasons we love what we already have too! I thought I'd share a few of my favorite things...simple things that I use over + over again with pleasure. I hope they are a little different this year, but I can't guarantee it!  :)

• Le Pen :: they last forever + come in sweet colors. I come across them every once in a while + sometimes pick up a new color. This year, I've been choosing a color or two from my little collection to highlight my journal + calendar each month.
• a ritual to try :: it would be so interesting to hear how one finds value with this one
• a pomegranate or two makes a lovely decoration + tastes like a special treat too :: lots of options here...sumo orange, a nub of ginger + a lemon...yum!
• a new spice discovery + a list of ways to use it :: this one tastes great on so many things from eggs to roasted veg
• a printed photo of a special memory + a bit of nature to go with it :: these little bits are my favorites to spark feelings of connection over + over again
• an air plant :: it doesn't require much effort, but offers a welcome sign of life through the grey months to come. a found shell or spare terracotta saucer is an inexpensive companion.
• homemade fire cider
• a $5 gift card for a fave drink of the moment

I really feel like I could go on + on with ideas, because they come as easy as looking around me. Gifting is so much about expectation + agreeing to something like this makes those expectations very clear + simple to meet! 

Happy simple gifting, friends!
Jane

• Dressier shoes, coat, hat... :: A pair of dark jeans or a jumpsuit that I usually pair with trainers is instantly elevated when paired with dressier shoes + a longer coat. I think a red beret could add a playful, festive touch.

• Playful thinking :: This one is purely theoretical, but I'm wondering if (hoping that) displaying a bit of playfulness on the outside might allow me to sort of live into this attitude. Mingling activates my shyness, so I'm consciously asking my clothing to imbue me with a little lightness of spirit. I believe it's possible. :)

I love this sort of creative exercise. Minimalism offers us so many opportunities to stretch our imaginations toward different ways of being + that makes me so happy! Wishing you all the most fun + festive of holiday seasons!

All lovely photos via links.

Love,
Jane