Comments on: 2007 Gift Guide: Consumable giving

By: Katie

Katie — Fri, 23 May 2008 20:19:51 +0000

How about hiring a maid for three months after someone has a baby??

I also LOVE getting gift certificates for massages/facials/pedicures…things that I never do for myself.

By: SLP

SLP — Sun, 18 May 2008 04:45:53 +0000

My personal favorite - edible bird feeders

By: Liz

Liz — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 20:48:18 +0000

With any gift, make sure you know the receiver’s taste before you buy. I’m referring specifically to bath products. I have sensitive skin and can’t use any bath product with a fragrance–which must be 99.9% of them. I am also not a “girly girl” and just do not find bath products very fun. When I get this gift, it gives me the depressing feeling that the giver doesn’t know me at all.

By: Rise v4 » links for 2007-11-28

Rise v4 » links for 2007-11-28 — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 04:20:54 +0000

[...] Unclutterer » Archive » 2007 Gift Guide: Consumable giving Excellent set of ideas for presents that are USEFUL. How many times must I say it?! (tags: christmas shopping) [...]

By: Andamom

Andamom — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 04:56:24 +0000

Personally, I think that donating is the true spirit of the season: http://andamom.com/?p=228

By: twosandalz

twosandalz — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 02:39:03 +0000

A practical gift for someone who has a digital camera might be color ink cartridges, photo printer paper and batteries. Hmm… methinks I’ll put those on my own wish list.

I don’t think consumable ‘ordinary-item’ gifts are good for everyone, though. For someone who defines a gift as something special or something the receiver wouldn’t ordinarily buy themselves, ink and batteries would seem thoughtless, as if the giver was just performing an annoying social obligation and didn’t care.

By: Liz

Liz — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 22:26:45 +0000

How about some reusable items for the cook instead of all the kitchen disposables, which will go to the landfill? A better idea would be canvas reusable grocery totes and cheesecloth or burlap bags for produce.

By: vanka

vanka — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 21:51:32 +0000

A lot of these ideas would merit a big WTF from me if i received them. There are gifts that are usable without seeming like you just stopped off at the grocery store on the way over and picked up some random stuff.

By: Marsha

Marsha — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 20:18:52 +0000

Other ideas for consumable gifts include annual passes to local attractions. My two-year-old daughter has plenty of toys or clothes, so when her grandparents asked us what she might like for Christmas, we suggested a season pass to our local zoo. It’s a gift that keeps on giving (every visit there is a reminder of the giver), it’s something she would love (she’s nuts for animals!), and it doesn’t contribute to our clutter!

By: Jen

Jen — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 19:49:10 +0000

Ooops. Should have been more Method-ical in my hyperlinking. My apologies to the self-proclaimed “People Against Dirty.”

By: Yolanda

Yolanda — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 19:20:18 +0000

I think the shower gift ideas are better for men than women, as women tend to receive these items for every occasion & buy them for themselves. Men do so less frequently, but enjoy them just as much.

As for consumables, I think they make great gifts, but should be well thought out. In general, I try to buy things for people that they’d love (or would make their lives easier), but wouldn’t necessarily think to buy for themselves: parchment paper, whole nutmeg, vanilla beans, or saffron for the baker and cook; batteries in every size for the parents of young children; bottles of regional beverages or long lost ones from childhood.

By: Colin

Colin — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 16:52:32 +0000

I also found the notion of “merry trashbags” to be a bit… um, odd. I know I’m middle aged because I get genuinely excited when I receive a tie for Christmas (I wear a suit 4 - 5 days a week), but I can’t foresee being thrilled about detergents.

We do give a lot of consumables, but almost always food of a variety or quality that people can’t get locally.

By: M.R.

M.R. — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 16:29:06 +0000

My mom used to give a “Biscuit Kit” our neighbor-who-had-everything. She baked a bunch of biscuits and put them in ziplock bags. She then included some high-end jams, preserves, apple butter, etc. He LOVED that gift and looked forward to it every year! I never understood that as a child, but I do now

By: Marie

Marie — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 16:16:34 +0000

As for the shower idea, my go-to gift for many people is a fuzzy bathrobe or slippers and nice bath products from Philosophy. This gift is practical, thoughtful, and means that the recipient has an excuse to take a little time for his or herself.

By: DC

DC — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 15:49:29 +0000

Other gifts that won’t clutter:
- theater/concert tickets
- arranging for catered meals to be delivered (once or more over the year)
- a subscription to a DVD rental service
- lesson(s) for something - dancing, rock climbing, snowboarding, …

By: melissa

melissa — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 15:17:20 +0000

My husband and I are moving overseas in a few months- so the idea of consumable gifts is a fantastic one for us. My mother in law gave us our Christmas gifts this past weekend at Thanksgiving. I was so pleased by how considerate she was- She told me before giving me the gifts that she had gotten things that I would use up or that I wouldn’t mind giving away to others! That thought alone made the gifts so much more special!

By: swingcat

swingcat — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 15:15:10 +0000

A few years ago my brother in law gave us a bunch of car wash stuff. I think he kinda waited until the last minute to do his shopping. I thought it was a bit odd at the time. But over time, I came to realize what a great gift it was. I mean- who wants to spend money on stuff like car wash or rainx???? It was nice to have the stuff there when I needed it and then I could spend my money on much more fun stuff!

By: Katie

Katie — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 14:32:21 +0000

Oh, horrors! Be careful with lotion gifts, and try to verify that the receiver doesn’t have a whole cabinetful in the bathroom already.

Although better that than motor oil.

By: Nancy

Nancy — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 14:15:30 +0000

I am a total Lushie, but as much as I love Lush, their bath bombs have no moisturizing properties. I much prefer those from Me! Bath which are rich in butters & oils. I also like the Abaca Spa gift box at Mighty Leaf teas which has 2 bath tea pouches & 8 drinking teas.

If you are looking for a great body scrub, my favorites are: Isle of Eden & Pacific Scents (both available online only).

If you’d like to give a gift while preventing the Earth from clutter, check out GG2G, http://www.gg2g.com, where they make goods from recycled billboard materials.

If you need a special gift for a romantic couple, or if you are part of a romanic couple yourself (or are part of a couple that wants to regain their romantic connection), I love to give the travel set from http://www.CMCouples.com.

I like gifts that multi-task, which is why I love Veris Candles…not only are they great candles, but all of their containers are re-usable…not to mention they make beautiful gifts!

I also like to make chocolate items for my friends for Christmas…they always get eaten 100%. Last year I did chocolate dipped spoons and also made ‘candy’ by stuffing a dried apricot with a roasted almond (unsalted) and pouring melted Ghiradelli chocolate over it…delicious.

I personally have asked for Trader Joe’s gift cards for Christmas as I know they will be 100% used and will not clutter my home. I’d also be happy to receive a basket of coffee & tea…someone in your life might also.

I made my mother a gingerbread house over Thanksgiving…and I know it will be eaten 100%.

By: Jen

Jen — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 13:57:56 +0000

Along these lines, why not give some truly disposable home cleaning products? Vendors like Seventh Generation and (my personal favorite) Method sell completely biodegradable home cleaning solutions (dish soap, floor cleaner, etc.) that don’t put toxic chemicals into runoff water. People often refrain from buying these products for themselves because of their higher prices, so why not indulge them? Green is the new black, baby!