By Mary Jaksch
Are you sick of advertising that tell you to buy expensive presents for Christmas? I am. I think that we can express appreciation and love in other ways – not just in terms or how many dollars we spent. Here is a list of fun presents that range from zero to 25 Dollars.
$zero
- Write a poem;
- Give a voucher for a fun makeover. (Two young friends recently gave me makeovers for my birthday. One made me up as a blushing bride, the other – directly afterwards- as a punk rocker. Each time I had to sauce along an imaginary catwalk. It was a very funny evening!);
- Give a voucher for 2 dinners at your home. You can offer different themes on your voucher. For example Mediterranean or Thai;
- Paint a picture or create some other art or craft piece;
- Give a voucher for a photo portrait or a video of him or her.
- Ebook by Arvind Devalia: Make it Happen: For a Better World and a Better World
$1 – $10 Books and stuff that change your life
- Mary Jaksch, Learn to Love $2.46
- Leo Babauta, The Simple Guide to a Minimalist Life $9.95
- Leo Babauta, Zen to Done: the Simple Productiviy Ebook. $9:50
- Notebook and pen for would-be writers $7.50
$10 – $20 Books that blow your mind
- Barry Magid, Ending the Pursuit of Happiness: A Zen Guide $11.53
- Robert Winston, The Human Mind and How to Make the Most of It $11.13
- Martin Seligman, Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life $10.60
- Leo Babauta, The Power of Less $13.56
- Daniel Gilbert, Stumbling on Hapiness $10.85
- Tal Ben-Shahar, The Pursuit of Perfect: How to Stop Chasing Perfection and Start Living a Richer, Happier Life $15.50
$25 Dollars
- Kiva gift certificates allow the recipient to make their own loans to entrepreneurs around the world and help alleviate poverty. Your recipient chooses the loans, receives repayments, and can choose to lend again and again! It is a one-of-a-kind gift that keeps on giving. (I’ve just given a Kiva gift certificate and my friend loved it!)
These are just a few ideas for a minimalist Christmas. What do you suggest?
***
The next FREE Virtual Zen Retreat is filling up fast. Reserve your place now as places are strictly limited.
THE MIRACLE OF KINDNESS
7-12 february 2010
- Learn how to cultivate kindness
- Feel the power of loving-kindness meditation
- Be inspired for a positive future
Your personal messages, and your Zen lessons have made me realize the true value of this human existence - Lokanandha P.
Find out more about Virtual Zen Retreats here or book your place by filling out the form in the sidebar.
This FREE chapter of my Ebook will show you
how to overcome anything.
- Turn challenges into opportunity.
- Cope with change without falling apart.
- Find new meaning for your life
- Find serenity, happiness and meaningful success.
{ 4 trackbacks }
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
I enjoyed this post, Mary. A minimalist Christmas speaks to me. I’ve never been one to buy big gifts and I do not like to receive them either, because I know I’ll most likely never use the stuff anyway.
I do love books though, so thanks for that list. I’m always up for new and awesome reading material
.
.-= Henri´s last blog ..121 Ways to Improve Your Life and Be More Awesome =-.
I really love the ideas Mary, all have a value beyond the object itself. But the most outstanding for me is the Kiva gift certificates. Also I may point to Oxfam Unwrapped, another great way to give a unique gift to someone.
I may take the book ideas for some of my friends. Many thanks for this wonderful post Mary.
.-= Alejandro Reyes´s last blog ..Taking a break… =-.
Mary,
great list, I recently wrote a similar post where gift from heart is more important. Books and ebooks, most of us can not wrong. I always love getting and buying books for others and myself. Helping others with kiva is important. I heard from Arvind that is going great! I am so happy for you both.
.-= Zengirl´s last blog ..Gifts from heart during Holidays =-.
Love these posts. There are lots of people out of work or worried about being out of work. Even if one is employed these ideas can make the $ go farther and maybe leave some left over to donate. I recently wrote a blog post on another gift idea, the Gift of Work. Helping others at holiday season by writing a recommendation or sending them a job posting.
Happy Holidays
Dave
.-= Dave´s last blog ..Awareness and Possibility =-.
I’d definitely look into Leo Babautas stuff. Great guy, great writer. He’s so down to Earth too that you’d pay money just so he gets some. Also I’ve just read Malcolm Gladwell – Outliers and didn’t like it. It’s not great
.-= Richard | RichardShelmerdine.com´s last blog ..Awareness Meditation =-.
Hi,
U have a nice post!
It is so interesting and realistic !
I got many good info from it. I will share this link to friends.
Thanks for sharing !
Lovely idea Mary thanks for that
Ciara Conlon´s last [type] ..I Love the Wind