Spoiler: the perfect Christmas present is no present. But since this would be unsatisfying, I have some tips for nearly perfect Christmas presents.
Disclaimer for the perfect Christmas present
After the spoiler, a disclaimer. The ideas for a perfect Christmas present I present are mostly for adults. If you are searching for Christmas presents for kids, that are sustainable, I may not be able to help you.
I still don’t know how to give my kids sustainable presents. And I think at a certain age it’s impossible to give them nothing for Christmas. At least if you can afford it or if you even celebrate Christmas. (Second disclaimer: this post is for people who celebrate Christmas)
The peer pressure to give your kids presents is huge. For you and your children. You fear they will be outsiders and get bullied if you don’t give them something. Even worse, you are afraid, that they are unhappy. That’s the least parents want.
Our system transformed Christmas into an overconsumption feast. While we have not changed the system yet, we have to find a way to make presents for our kids, that are not too bad. Especially since children seemingly always wish for the worst plastic trash. End of disclaimer.
In total honesty, for me, the best present is no present. If I want something, I buy it myself. I try to only buy things I need, but like anybody else, I am not perfect and sometimes buy things I just want.
If someone really wants to give me something, I try to tell them specifically what.
The worst thing is, when someone who doesn’t know me that well, wants to give me a present, but doesn’t ask and gives me some crap.
I’m difficult to give gifts to, and therefore a poor benchmark. But still, I have some ideas for a perfect Christmas present.
Give time
The best gifts are everlasting memories from shared experiences. Go for a hike together, make a city trip (by train), go to the movies or invite someone for dinner. Spending time together is the best thing you can do. It doesn’t matter what you do, it is about the community.
If the recipient thinks you are cheap, you know you do not need to spend time with them anymore. A good person appreciates you spending time with them. They know that time is precious.
Give money to a good cause
This gift needs to meet a condition to be the perfect Christmas present. You have to know which cause is important for the recipient. If someone really likes donkeys, it is ok to donate money to save the rainforest, but it would be perfect to donate it to a donkey sanctuary. Then the person would be happy.
You really have to know the other well to make this work. And when we change the system for the good, there will be no need to donate because it is taken care of everybody.
The art of giving art
If you are gifted, make the Christmas gift yourself. Write a poem, make a song or paint a painting.
If you are not gifted but have good taste, you can buy art.
But, and this is a big but, if talented or not, you have to know what the recipient likes and wants. If it is a physical item, they also need the space for it. So be certain, they have room for your present.
You can make the gift even better, if you buy the art with the other. So you can also spend time together.
Give what they need
Advertising and popular media wants to make us believe that a gift should be something we want and not what we need. Like Mia said in Love Actually.
But in reality, people are happy, if they don’t have to buy things by themselves. But again, you have to ask or know what they need. If you give your wife a blender, because you want smoothies for breakfast, that may not be a good idea.
Just give money
Sometimes money is all people need. It’s perfectly fine to give money.
The problem with cash as a gift is, that it reveals power. Normally, the richer one gives the poorer one money. If both parties exchange the same amount of money, it is useless, stupid and a waste of time. And as we know, time is precious.
But if you know it’s ok for the other person to receive money from you, do it.
Conclusion
There are two main factors that make a perfect Christmas present. You need to know the recipient well, or you have to ask what they want or need.
It’s false to think that the other person shall not know what they get. If they know before, they have a pleasant anticipation. The joy can last longer.
Avoid giving someone a present you don’t know. If you have to because it’s secret Santa in your office, give a book. That’s always a good idea.
Don’t fall into the trap of advertising, that you need to spend a lot of money. And don’t let you tell by ads or influencers what you want.
Good people are perfectly happy, if you spend time with them or if you give them an inexpensive but thoughtful gift. The other people you don’t need. It’s the people who make beautiful memories and not things.
Therefore, a last bonus tip: There are many people who are alone, not only at Christmas but especially then. If you know someone and you can, give them a call or spend time with them. It will be a gift for you both.
My name is Ian DeBay.
I am the founder of iandebay.com. I am a content creator, blogger, podcast, YouTuber. This is my blog where I talk about system change, sustainability and other fun stuff.
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