Christmas gift ideas

by Ethical Girl
9th November 2015

CHRISTMAS is fast approaching and with busy lives it can be challenging to complete all the shopping in time.

This year, a little pre planning will take away some of that anxiety so you can forget the frenzy of last minute purchases.

Here are 10 clutter-free gift ideas that you can make/create/ buy that are useful, practical, fun and often consumable.

1. Homemade voucher.
 Time is precious so make a voucher for someone special that would be meaningful for them. New parents: babysitting. Elderly: help in the garden. Busy family: cook one dinner a month for a year.
What are your talents? Sewing, cleaning, wash car, computer help. A voucher of your time is valued by everyone.
2. Movie vouchers. Why not give them with a packet of popcorn and Maltesers.
3. Classes. Yoga, dancing, pilates, gym; pay for a term and wrap
it along with a couple of health bars.
4. Mani/pedi. Take one nice empty glass jar, add nail polish, acetone, cotton balls, nail file and wrap with ribbon.
5. Homemade food treats such as chutneys, pickles, sauces, jams, biscuit, curry paste, baked goods and so on.
6. iTunes voucher. Always a favourite with the younger ones.
7. The gift of green. Succulents, cactus, native plants, maybe a trailer load of mulch? Think big.
8. Tickets for fun and being active, such as mini golf, ten pin bowling, the zoo, Healesville Sanctuary, Melbourne Aquarium, a water park. Tailor it to suit the individual or family.
9. Massage. So who doesn’t like a massage? A little pampering goes a long way.
10. Wine or Beer, an all-time favourite but present it a little differently. I made these last year for my colleagues. I called them Rein Beers.