Other Ways to Give
Take a deep breath with me
Black Friday week is here, and the Internet is already shouting at us to hurry, don’t miss out, buy now, buy fast.
I’ve been through enough of these cycles to know how easy it is to get swept up in it — the pressure to find deals, the FOMO, the feeling that if you don’t act immediately, you’re somehow “doing it wrong.”
This season used to spike my anxiety, and honestly, sometimes it still does. I’ve learned to step back, mute the noise, and focus on what actually feels good — intentional gifting, thoughtful choices, and the calm that comes from knowing you don’t have to participate in the frenzy.
So today, instead of sharing a traditional gift guide, I’m revisiting (and updating!) an idea I first wrote about years ago: a more conscious, slower, low-pressure approach to gifting. Whether your budget is tiny or cozy or generous this year, there are so many ways to give meaningfully without getting caught up in the chaos of this week.
If you, too, are craving a softer holiday season, here are five kinds of gifts that feel generous, grounded, and deeply human — no countdown timers required.
Give Your Time
Time is one of the most heartfelt gifts you can offer, and it costs nothing. A handmade voucher tucked into an envelope can feel surprisingly luxurious.
Ideas:
- Teach a skill
Something practical (mending a sock), creative (a Shibori dye afternoon), or edible (your best cookie recipe). These tiny exchanges often become cherished memories.
- Cook a meal
Show up at someone’s home and make dinner for them. You can even include dishwashing in the “package.”
- Babysit
For exhausted parents, the gift of a quiet hour — or a date night — is priceless.
Give Memories
Experiences tend to age better than things. They also show intention, attention, and care — three things no sale banner can replicate.
Experience-based ideas:
- Concert, theatre, or comedy tickets
- A massage or spa voucher
- A pottery, herbalism, drawing, or cooking class
- A weekend (or one-night) getaway — bonus points if you plan it
- Movie tickets + a popcorn voucher
- A museum membership (a quiet, year-long gift)
These gifts reduce clutter and increase joy, which feels like a win-win.
Make Something
Handmade doesn’t have to mean “crafty.” It simply means you put care — and your hands — into it.
A few low-waste, low-pressure ideas:
- Bath ritual kits (salts, tea, a candle)
- Clay magnets
- A foraged wreath
- Junk-mail or scrap-paper notebooks
- Candles or soap
- Infused oils or vinegars
- A batch of cookies or granola
- A small zine, poem, playlist, or recipe collection
Homemade gifts often feel more intimate than anything you can buy.
Buy Secondhand
A secondhand gift is not a lesser gift. In many cases, it’s a better one — more sustainable, more unique, and often more special.
Great places to look:
- Local vintage stores
- Consignment shops
- Facebook Marketplace
- Craigslist
- Poshmark / Depop
- Estate sales
- Maker markets (many sellers offer “seconds” or older collections)
Check out these guides (with maps included) if you live in Portland, or Central Oregon
Wrap it beautifully or include a note about why you picked it — it’s the intention that makes it shine.
A print by Maren Inga, snail mail and zines from various artists, and a cup by Maren and Laura.
Buy Thoughtfully
If you decide that something new is the right choice, choose it intentionally.
“Ethical” can mean many things:
- Shopping local
- Supporting small businesses
- Choosing mission-driven brands
- Selecting something built to last
- Buying something the recipient genuinely needs or will use often
Before buying, I like to ask: Will this make the recipient’s life easier, more beautiful, or more joyful?
If the answer is yes, then it’s probably a good fit.
Do you lean toward handmade, experiences, secondhand finds, or thoughtful purchases? Do you also avoid the Black Friday frenzy, or do you use it strategically for things you’ve been saving up for? I’d love to hear your own approaches — especially this week.
