A Real Gift Giving Guide

After reading a blurb about the Society for the Prevention of Useless Giving I had a thought: What if we gave people what they actually needed when giving gifts? Wow, what a revolutionary idea.

Here are some ideas for gifts that are useful, loving, and some are even free.

1. In a post-Covid lockdown world, most of us know someone that is struggling financially. Pay a bill for them or buy a gift card to the grocery store they frequent or the gas station they usually go to. If this is someone you would normally spend more on, and you can afford it, cover their electric bill that month. The gift = your friend gets one weight off of their shoulders for a minute and might actually get some damn sleep.

2. Got a friend that is struggling with depression, anxiety, or what the fuck ever and they are having trouble keeping up on the housework? Go over (announced of course) and take on a task or two like the laundry or the dishes...bonus, you get to spend quality time with that friend. The gift = your friend gets to vent, listen to music, have coffee or whiskey, talk to a friend that isn’t judging them and they are reminded that they are worthy and someone gives a shit. (like, honestly, this is so important...knowing there is even just one person out there that cares can prevent a suicide)

3. That friend at work, you know the one, the person that you honestly like and makes your day tolerable...do they collect something in particular and you know this because they talk about it a lot when you guys are chatting…? Harry Potter? Flowers? Coffee cups? Teddy bears? Listen, do some research and get them something cool and have it delivered to work so it’s like “SURPRISE!” And I don’t mean first-edition or rare level, just something cool/cute/thoughtful. The gift = That you really do listen when they are just rambling on coffee break.

4. Have kids in the family you are going to buy for? Buy a subscription to an online game or educational site for them. Or make it something the whole family can enjoy, if you can swing it, and get them a membership to a local museum, the zoo, or the pool.

5. Another gift idea for kids - Ask what size shoe they wear and what styles they like and buy them a new pair ½ or one size bigger so when they go to sleep on the random Monday and wake up 2 inches taller with bigger feet on Tuesday, they already have a pair on deck. The gift = instead of a toy they will forget about in two days, they get something meaningful and/or useful.

6. Do you have super cool old photos with a friend or family member that they haven’t seen in a long time or ever? Copy them, put them in an album. Boom - The gift = memories.

7. That struggling artist you know...art supplies are gonna make their day. I know this one from experience. If you know what they use, get it. If you don’t, a gift card to a local art store is pretty great.

8. You know that friend that is a super awesome volunteer or runs a great organization? Donate to their cause or volunteer a set number of hours to help them out on their cause and then fulfill that promise.

9. Your friend that is a single parent but isn’t really struggling financially but just doesn’t ever do anything for themselves...yeah, we see you...hand them a gift card to that store they like, watch their kids, kick them out with one rule, nothing for the kids, the house, the car, or anyone/anything that isn’t them.

10. Even simpler and cheaper...remember those coupon books kids make for shit like “washing the dishes” and “raking the leaves”. Make one for a friend or family member that could use some help...whether because of age, illness, schedule, finances, whatever. But you have to mean it, and you have to show up. Another version of the coupon book...that friend that is always trying to make plans with you and you truly do want to hangout but you’re schedule is always getting in the way, or your depression, or your anxiety...make a book of hangouts, and when that friend calls in a coupon, honor it. (Beware...some people really hate "coupon books" and some people really love them, gauge your recipient wisely)