I can be difficult to shop for. I am a bit of a minimalist, and hate when my belongings get too cluttered. If I don’t need it then I probably don’t want it (unless it’s a camera..totally need that.) When my mom asked me what I wanted for Christmas this year and I said nothing, I meant it. I know she gets joy in buying things for her kids, so I obliged and went on a hunt for things I wanted, but that were also useful. Think workout clothes, future house decorations, and of course…coffee. Always coffee.
I want to share a gift that I bought for myself, that my mom paid me back for, that is safely kept in my room, but will be given to me for Christmas….Don’t ask. If you have read my blog for a while you will know I ADORE a good, solid, wood box. Think wine box..hence the wine box garden. When I saw this at Starbucks I knew I had to have it, simply for the box..and for the adorable burlap bags. Reusable gifts are my favorite.
Love this..
I plan to decorate my future house with this adorable box and reuse the bags for something. I’m not sure what, but I will find something! Do I need these things? No..not really, so when something new comes in, something old must go out. I am constantly donating my slightly used items to others in order to justify my new items. Clutter makes me anxious and I don’t see the use in holding onto things that aren’t being used.
All in all, I just love to give. I get a bit overwhelmed by the commercializing of the Christmas holiday. I think Christmas is about spending time with those that you love, and sharing what you have. Sharing your time, sharing your skills, sharing your money, all of it. I get the most joy in giving to those that are in need. While helping others is something I like to do year round, something about the holidays makes it that much easier to give.
I bought this for my fellow cat loving friend. It’s a picture holder, and a fat cat..enough said. Small, yet meaningful.
Don’t get me wrong, I love to receive gifts and I am very thankful when I do, but I get more joy when I give them. I also appreciate totally unnecessary gifts once in a while, but like all things in my life-balance is bliss.
I challenge you to give something to someone in need this week. Give your time, give your skills (which includes time too, double whammy!), or share your wealth with someone less fortunate. If you need some ideas on how to give back this week, check out this website! It has some fun ideas! I guarantee that when you give big, you will get back even bigger!
Q: What’s your favorite way to give back? I love new ideas!
Blissfulbritt 
33 thoughts on “The Gift of Giving”
Missy
That quote is so fitting… it reminds me of your last post!
One of my favorite ways to give back is to be kind. Because I am sort of broke. So I let the person go ahead of me in line… I take the time to help a person who needs directions… even go as far as saying they can follow me if it’s not too far, I go the extra mile for clients… little stuff like that.
kathy@vodka and soda
i love giving too; it always makes me feel better. so far, i’ve done a bunch of nice things for people – mailed out bloggy cards, mailed out 2 gifts to bloggers, paying it forward to strangers….that sort of stuff.
Change of Pace
Ha- love that you bought the gift and have it in your room waiting for Christmas! Before my sister and I moved out, all we got as gifts were stuff for our future homes. It was awesome because then we didn’t have to spend a load of money at a time when money was going to be tight!
Honestly, my favourite way to give back is donating gently used {warm, quality} clothing and blankets and new toques and mitts.
Living in a winter city, there is nothing more sad than seeing homeless people outside on miserably cold days.
Amy @ A Desert Girl
That box is great! I need to look at Starbucks and maybe pick one up for my father-in-law if they’re still in stock.
Megan
That box is so pretty!!! I try every year to get out of presents and take cash or something along those lines to help pay a bill for the month or something : ) I need to think of something to send you… It will come to me soon. It will be late though : )
Megan
And a side note… I am watching agents of shield. I would totally like a private jet. TO COME SEE YOU ALL THE TIME!!!
Brittany
That…would be…EPIC!
Alex @ therunwithin
wow this is gorgeous, such a great idea. ithink this time of the year the meaning of giving to others can be so lost. great time to bring it back to what this holiday is truly about
Emily
I’m not hard to shop for because if all else fails, buy me a bottle of wine and I’m happy as a clam haha. But I totally agree with you, I see Christmas as a time for people you care about. Unfortunately for me this year I have to work on Christmas, and won’t make it home until a few days after. I’m trying to stay positive about it and remember all of the hospital patients that I will be helping that day, if even just to give them a friendly face to say hello to. Also, to keep my mind off of being alone on the holiday (after work) I plan on purging my closet and donating a bunch of clothes to Salvation Army or a clothing drive of some sort. I sent my parents a short Christmas list for when I do get to celebrate but I told them that I was just happy to be able to fly home and see everyone! Even if it meant having Christmas a few days late.
Amy
Less than 15 minutes ago, I was staring at that EXACT same box in Starbucks!! No kidding. You and my dad would get along really well; he loves woodworking and giving away the things he makes. He’s into bowl-turning right now, so if you’re ever in the area and would like a wooden bowl, just say the word!
I’m very similar with gifts. I love giving, but receiving is hard — especially around the holidays when everyone is giving cookies and candy! (That’s supposed to be my job! 😉 ) For a while, my church had a “Giving Tree” where people took a paper ornament. On the back, there was a handwritten list made by an impoverished person of gifts they wanted for Christmas: warm socks, a new scarf, a handbag, crayons for their kids, etc. My family would both shop for and deliver the gifts on Christmas Eve, and it lit up my heart to see the magic reflected in the recipients’ eyes.
Brittany
AHH How funny!!! I would LOVE A BOWL..I must come visit (along with all the other reasons of course!) I love the giving trees, my church has one too, but I was working every Sunday while it was going on and I missed it. SO instead I found one family to help out..it was nice!
Amy
As soon as you specify a size, wood (or at least a color), and general shape, my dad will start on it for you! 🙂
brickhousechick
Very nice box and bags. I can see why you love it. Plus the coffee of course. You will be happy to hear that I purchased a fancy Keurig Vue (the latest) and my kids are ecstatic. My husband and I don’t do coffee but they do. I am enjoying the hot chocolate feature and hot tea. Go me! 🙂
Brittany
That’s wonderful!! I love the Keurig machines, they are so slick!
Luv What You Do
I donote money to some of my favorite charities (ie st jude) but this year it has been fun to volunteer at a few of their events, meet people, and have fun! I have also been donating to the shelter where we adopted Cooper. They are volunteered based and amazing and so anything I can bring them helps!
Kadee-Cat
I should have asked for coffee for Christmas 😉 I always struggle when people ask what I want, but I love getting gifts for other people. Especially when I think of something perfect that they haven’t thought to get for themselves.
My favorite way to give back (all year) is through Charity Water. Love them 😀
apartmentwife
we’re twin spirits when it comes to being minimalists with a love for giving stuff to others– i swear i could shop and shop and shop for someone else, but when it’s time to make my list.. well, a dinner out, maybe? Too much stuff and something needs to go.. and I usually just like having a few favorite items anyway (instead of lots of knickknacks and other things everywhere). I’m glad you found your gorgeous box 🙂 Sounds like you’ve got a great mom 🙂
jessielovestorun
I just told Joshua this morning that I want to find a couple foundations that are dear to our heart and donate this Christmas.
sincerelylily
That box is sooo you! What a lovely gift! Any gift, even if its as simple as a coffee date or phone call, is lovely. Favorite way to give back- def volunteering for the GOTR coach! But that’s not Xmas themed soooo I’d have to say I need to work on it. I do love giving gifts though! It’s the best. I love finding things and thinking- that would be perfect for so and so!
Ps I think the B and B needs to be completely sustainable- solar powered and decorated with wooden boxes.
Brittany
You continue to add amazing ideas to our B&B..I am failing you as a business partner with ideas! ORRRR maybe I am inspiring you to find these ideas, so in a roundabout way I AM helping!!?
thoughtsappear
Can I take a raincheck on the giving? I usually bake cookies for our local firefighters, but I realized they probably get tons of goodies this time of year, so maybe Valentine’s Day instead?
I will probably make Kiefer do our annual Starbucks drive-thru to pay for the person behind us though.
An Unrefined Vegan
Nice post, girl. I’m all for de-cluttering and sharing the excess.
alex@vegginout
It’s funny because when you’re (generic you) little everyone tells you that Christmas is about giving, not getting. But when you’re little all you want is toys so it feels like it’s about getting and that saying is just trying to make kids unselfish! But when you get older, you realize that it was true all along, and you get more joy from seeing others receive their gifts than you get from opening your own. At least that has been my experience! So I guess that is really just a long way of saying that I agree with you 😉
Oh I finally went back and read you half marathon recap, and it sounds like it was hard but you rocked it anyway! Which I knew you would. 🙂 So CONGRATS (even though I’m over two weeks late)! It also gave me so much hope for my next one since I just haven’t really been able to train for it (foot issues, then the flu, then wisdom teeth… there is some evil force against me 😉 ), but since I signed up, I’m doing it! I’m just going to have to prepare for some serious soreness haha. Any extra tips on pushing through would be great… I know it’s going to be one of my hardest challenges ever but as you have reminded me, it’s really more of a mental game!
Brittany
I found that once I decided that this race was going to be “for fun” it took the pressure off of finishing and it also took the pressure off of wanting to walk at times. I let myself walk, and I pushed when I could!! Just listen to your body, but don’t let it overtake your mind! I think you will be JUST fine!! Take it easy on your foot too! This is just one of many more half marathons for you, no need to push it! YOU CAN DO IT!
Rach @ This Italian Family
Haha! I love that you picked out a gift for yourself from your mom. I have definitely done that. 😉
We’ve done a lot of putting together gifts for people we don’t know this year. For the guys who sell newspapers on the street corners on the freezing mornings, for a kid we “adopted” through our church, for kids in the school system, etc. It’s been good. 🙂
Aussa Lorens
Ooooo I love the coffee box, it make me want to take a big whiff and then sigh happily… there’s something so mysterious and intriguing about a solid box… like it clearly must hold some kind of treasure.
karla @ finding my fit
That coffee box is too cute. I finally found the tuxedo mug I’ve wanted for my friends birthday (and I snatched one for myself…) from Starbucks.
I am working on going through all my clothes and donating what I don’t wear anymore. It’s a small act of kindness but somewhere someone will appreciate the extra warmth.
Amalia
Love this! Saw those tiny burlap bags at Starbucks the other day and nearly bought them for myself. I never used to be minimalist but this year I find there are VERY few things I want for Christmas. I would much rather shop for everyone else!
I’m learning to get rid of the clutter (is there a secret formula? Can you help?)
I’ve made it my personal goal to be compassionate this season. It’s led to a lot of opportunities for me to just smile and say Merry Christmas to a stranger. I don’t have any wealth to give back and I’ve been sick so I’m lacking the time, but I find a smile, holding open doors or helping people carry things can do wonders for both them and you!
Merry Christmas Britt!
P
I feel the exact same way. I hate clutter, and am always donating/reselling items I do not need. I think I’ll end up living like a minimalist when I am completely living on my own! 😛
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
I love to give, and when it comes to receiving I’m very much like you. I don’t really need anything so if someone insists, I’d prefer it be useful or practical. No clutter allowed. This weekend I’m going to be working on my gifts for others. We don’t have the funds to spend money this year so we’re making Orange Cranberry granola for the coworkers, caramelized onion and roasted garlic pasta sauce and rosemary salt for the families, and orange cranberry white chocolate scones for the neighbors. I’m really looking forward to it, and I actually did shell out some cash for the Ball jars I plan to give it all in. That’s what the holidays are about for me.
The Vegan 8
I totally agree with you! I absolutely love the feeling of giving others gifts…it really does feel more exciting than receiving. I love to make others happy with gifts. I’m always decluttering my house a couple of times a year, I can’t stand having too much stuff I no longer use and I’d rather donate the stuff to others who can’t afford some things.
Katy @ iFuckingLoveFitness
I sometimes buy things for the packaging too!
I don’t really like receiving gifts because I don’t like clutter either and I want very specific things (and also choosing and buying it myself). I do like giving other people presents though.
Melissa @ Al Forno Mementos
I am the same way! I love giving more than recieving!! 🙂 that box of coffee looks great! love getting to reuse things!