John at http://www.dreamsmall.com/ wrote:
"I do find great pleasure in downsizingand simplifying. The hard part always comes at Christmas when I have totell my family all the things I don't want!"
This got me to thinking, Christmas is mere weeks away, and if I had less space than I do now, what would I do with more presents? This created a flutter brain storm at 2am, as memories of our local grocery store's card aisle floated through my head, and white elephant exchange "hits". Hint: Chain grocery stores now have kiosks for unique gift cards - you don't have to look far.
One of the days on my trip I ventured into a small Bavarian town in Washington called Leavenworth. This is one of my favorite haunts when I'm up there. There is so much visually that is relatively deceptive to make you think you are in a different country, and the Bratwurst isn't bad either. Anyway, it is a major tourist trap, with every imaginable gift shop down main street. I spent half a day browsing every gift shop in town, killing time, and just relaxing. Amazingly by the end, there was nothing I saw that I wished I could take home with me. Not even a stuffed berner. (I'll take the real dog over a toy anyday!) There wasn't anything there I would even consider buying as a gift for someone else, and it occured to me, how I could just enjoy seeing it in a shop, but not needing any of it, nor would I want someone else's world cluttered with this stuff!
So here are some ideas for the space savers of the world on your gift list:
www.iTunes.com gift cards. I can not tell you how happy my siblings have been to recieve this one over and over. It takes up no space, and provides a lot of enjoyment.
Gym membership - For those who don't have the extra cash, and don't have the space, but would like to go to the gym, this might be perfect.
Performing Arts Pass - If you are a city dweller. This is one of the nicest gifts you can give. It is a huge treat to hear live music and many halls sell seasons passes to performances of your choice.
Museum Pass - I know from living years around different areas where there was a lot of museums, my family would buy a year pass. For the cost of all of us to get in once it wasn't much more to buy a year pass. This was great especially with living museums.
Amusement parks - some people are nuts, and will buy a year long pass to http://www.sixflags.com/ but if it floats their boat, it might be a nice present over that boring sweater, learing at you from a mall rack. In hotter climates you might want to check out water parks as well.
Massage - who doesn't need one from time to time?
Cell phone minutes - this might sound far to practical, but you would be surprised how many people would love just a little more time to talk!
Audio books or http://www.audible.com/ - also known as downloadable books, takes up no space, except on your hard drive, and keeps stretching your mind without touching your bookshelf - no dusting required.
http://www.netflix.com/ - For those who live out a movie in the mail beats travelling to a rental store, at 10pm on a Saturday night.
Dining cards - also known as, gift certificates to your favorite restrant. These come in handy for one's social life, or for a married couple, sponsoring a date, is invaluable.
Starbucks - I have to add this one only because, they are soooo popular. Coffee, nuff said.
or if you are not the coffee type.... Jamba Juice cards!
Stuffy Gift Cards - What to do with those gift cards from Target and LLBean that really are attached to the material world? The truth is stuff wears out, and don't begrudge a family member or friend for trying to help you out in the wardrobe department. You never know when your 1 of 4 pairs of shoes that was so faithful and dependable needs a replacement, or you don't have that suit coat jacket for that funeral, you know you need to attend. Clothes are not evil, it's the LOVE of clothes, that can get you into trouble. And there is that moment you panic as you open an invitation to a shower of not knowing what to give someone else. A gift card can be the gift that keeps giving! And it's not so large that it takes up indepensible space except for wallet space.
Travel - Another thing that might be really special to family, or close friends is a plane ticket. I was reminded of this on my trip as I saw people who could not afford to come see me, and were overjoyed that I took the time and spent the money. Or if you know someone else who might really want to go somewhere but can't, a few extra dollars towards saving for that goal might mean the world to them.
World Vision - Last year someone mentioned the idea of giving a sustainable animal in someone's name. This I think is a great gift.
Services - Do not take up space. Maybe your mom needs a cleaning service before Christmas or before Easter. Maybe your friend needs a babysitter.
Floral Arrangements - For years my family has resorted to sending center pieces for Christmas. They last a few weeks, smell nice and eventually die, and are tossed in the compost pile.
Food - My extended family has for years sent cookies, popcorn, and fruitcake, it's simple, and only temporarily takes up space.
You might hear, “But I want to give them something special.” In our culture we have replaced time with materials. You may never know how “special” and afternoon of quality time with someone will be. It can create a memory that spans a lifetime.
You might also hear, “But I want to give them something that represents me.” You are a person, and you represent you, no item could ever fully represent you, or replace you.
I hope I've got your creative juices flowing, in thinking ahead to your "spaceless" and simple gift ideas for the holiday season.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Life in a Suitcase
I just got back from a 23 day long trip. While I was gone I forgot which light switch went to what light. They say it takes 21 days to create a new habit, but I think I also broke some habits while I was away. Being away offers you perspective away from your normal surroundings. Just you and the bare essentials often times makes you realize how little of our possessions actually have to do with who we are.
I'm preparing for a longer trip, and as I prepare, I recognize the things that were wasteful weight in my luggage. Books I did not read. Projects I did not finish. What was used in my suitcase was my thought out wardrobe. Only one piece came home unworn. For the 2 climates I was in, everything worked for 23 days, without a laundry crisis.
As I look around my small apartment, I see it through different eyes. Unaccustomed eyes see what I don't touch, and would forget about if I did not see. Projects that lie around unfinished. Books I will never read, and a few odds and ends. What is my life really? The question isn't, "if I had time, the question is: with what time I have, what will I do?" There was so much I didn't miss. As a streamlined person, I still accumulate. Just look at the pile the USPS left for me to open. Most of it goes in the garbage, some of it the shredder, and a fraction goes into my action files.
Of all the books I've read, how many of them will I never read again? Of all the magazines I haven't read, will I read them? Of the paper that makes it into files, will it ever be seen again? 20% of paper in files will be seen again, but only 20%. What is happening in my life right now? What am I working on? Do I have so many open projects that I am overwhelmed, or putting some on the back burner? Can I drop some? What if I gave myself permission to let go of them?
In my closet, I have more clothes than is sufficient for 23 days. I just proved it. I survived 23 days on 4 pairs of shoes. I took only 3 hair items: a clip, a clasp, and an elastic. I'll admit to only taking one set of PJs. 9 tops. 5 bottoms. 1 skirt. 1 sweater. 1 jacket. Luggage wise I ended up with 1 check on under 50 lbs. and one carry on brief case. For a female that is pretty decent. For everyday, my suitcase reminds me I can do better. I not only survived, I thrived.
I used to joke that I wanted to have my life's possessions fit in a suitcase, kind of like people in the olden days had trunks with their life's goods. Well in truth, a suitcase comes pretty close. What means the most to me is to have life be so focused to only have one thing at a time to do, and not 50. Right now my life consists of a lot, some days more than I can think about, but that suitcase is reminding me, to take what today holds, and let go of everything else. Tomorrow has enough worry of its own.
Personally I see how living out of a suitcase can change one's goals, wants and desires so quickly. The clutter of one's life falls into the background out of sight and out of mind, and what is true, stands out.
I'm preparing for a longer trip, and as I prepare, I recognize the things that were wasteful weight in my luggage. Books I did not read. Projects I did not finish. What was used in my suitcase was my thought out wardrobe. Only one piece came home unworn. For the 2 climates I was in, everything worked for 23 days, without a laundry crisis.
As I look around my small apartment, I see it through different eyes. Unaccustomed eyes see what I don't touch, and would forget about if I did not see. Projects that lie around unfinished. Books I will never read, and a few odds and ends. What is my life really? The question isn't, "if I had time, the question is: with what time I have, what will I do?" There was so much I didn't miss. As a streamlined person, I still accumulate. Just look at the pile the USPS left for me to open. Most of it goes in the garbage, some of it the shredder, and a fraction goes into my action files.
Of all the books I've read, how many of them will I never read again? Of all the magazines I haven't read, will I read them? Of the paper that makes it into files, will it ever be seen again? 20% of paper in files will be seen again, but only 20%. What is happening in my life right now? What am I working on? Do I have so many open projects that I am overwhelmed, or putting some on the back burner? Can I drop some? What if I gave myself permission to let go of them?
In my closet, I have more clothes than is sufficient for 23 days. I just proved it. I survived 23 days on 4 pairs of shoes. I took only 3 hair items: a clip, a clasp, and an elastic. I'll admit to only taking one set of PJs. 9 tops. 5 bottoms. 1 skirt. 1 sweater. 1 jacket. Luggage wise I ended up with 1 check on under 50 lbs. and one carry on brief case. For a female that is pretty decent. For everyday, my suitcase reminds me I can do better. I not only survived, I thrived.
I used to joke that I wanted to have my life's possessions fit in a suitcase, kind of like people in the olden days had trunks with their life's goods. Well in truth, a suitcase comes pretty close. What means the most to me is to have life be so focused to only have one thing at a time to do, and not 50. Right now my life consists of a lot, some days more than I can think about, but that suitcase is reminding me, to take what today holds, and let go of everything else. Tomorrow has enough worry of its own.
Personally I see how living out of a suitcase can change one's goals, wants and desires so quickly. The clutter of one's life falls into the background out of sight and out of mind, and what is true, stands out.
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