"At its core, consumerism stems from the belief that goods both express and define our individual identities."
The Rebel Sell: Why the Culture Cant be Jammed , Joseph Heath and Andrew Potter
Pretty sweaters in the latest colours. Hipster pants that stretch like no other. Laser levels, garden shovels. iPods, pots and pans and paintings. Someone in the corner ranting that she just doesnt know WHAT to buy for Ex, or Y, or Zed.
They have it all. So what to give?
My head is feeling like a sieve!
I want to find that perfect thing that carries the just-right love meaning.
And not get the damn thing back next year as a re-gift gone wrong.
Christmas. Here we sit in our comfortable little worlds, surrounded, nay, say some, overwhelmed and annoyed by mountains of durable consumer goods, quietly going snake at the muchness of it all. And thats before we even get out the door.
Not one to decry the noble sentiment of giving hey, giving is sweet, giving is grand. But as time and shopping march on, Im all for giving the gift that disappears.
I know, I know, its hard to let go of the durable goods notion. Too much cultural baggage, (see Heath and Potter above). Not to mention too many family-type traditions got to have a box to wrap, right?
But the more you think about it, the more it makes sense to find that certain someone a certain something that goes away. Or is away. Or will give something to someone else who is away. All of which add up to the ultimate in solving seasonal dilemmas. Especially this late in the shopping game.
So here are a few guidelines to giving the gift that disappears, applicable all year round.
1. Gifts that disappear down the gullet
The first and most obvious impulse is to give something that you eat or drink. Since Anthony Gismondi so nicely covered off current options in the drink department last issue (several of which have already crossed off names on my shopping list), Ill focus on the food concept.
Buying food items for holiday gift giving isnt new, but with a little thought, you can spin some freshness into it beyond the obvious gourmet sauce or marinade.
First of all, really consider the person and what she or he loves and likely doesnt buy much. Then ask those in the know whats best. For instance, if your dad, like mine, loves smoked oysters, head to Nesters Market and pick up those wonderful Deep Bay smoked oysters from Cortes Island.
Or come up with a philosophical/political concept that you can get behind (this, of course, can apply to any disappearing gift category). How about supporting women who run their own businesses? Or buying only from outlets, like the Whistler Arts Councils Bizarre Bazaar, or vendors that benefit community orgs? (Probably a little late for that this year, but hang onto the concept for next.)
One friend has a neighbour who is a great baker and a little short on cash, so she pays her to bake for her each year. And dont discount what may seem like your own meagre baking/making talents. Hey, so maybe its only home-made granola or brownies. But people love that stuff and since everyone is so stressed these days they can barely remember their own address, a nice big bag of home-made granola may be just what Santa ordered.
2. Gifts that disappear down their gullets and yours
Okay, so you think the food concept is a good idea, but you want to add something else. A little time. A little personal touch.
How about a hand-made coupon that says I, meaning you, the giver, not me, the writer, will be pleased, honoured, happy or otherwise glad to take you to lunch two or three times or whatever you can afford in both time and money, in the coming year.
One friend gave this as a gift to her mom last year and they both loved it. It formalizes the notion of spending time with someone you love, and, bonus, you get to enjoy it, and them, too.
Of course, theres always the idea of simply giving a gift certificate, official or otherwise (meaning you make a little certificate and attach it to a cheque or cash), from Exs favourite restaurant, bar or funky coffee house. But then theres no guarantee youll be in on it, too, enjoying that quality time together. Shucks.
3. Gifts that disappear nicely down the drain
You dont have to eat things to disappear them. Soap, bath salts, massage oils and creams all count large with most people, and all will go away. Try thinking out of the wrapper, like some of those all-natural soaps from Whistler Hemp Company, or Tracey Seilles natural soaps from her Creature Comfort Soapworks in Brackendale, or Lisa Sargents soaps and other bath products from her Sunflower Crafts, right here in Whistler.
Another good disappearing trick is to "try people" on biodegradable cleaning products like Seventh Heaven or Nature Clean. What better gift for loved ones and our friends underwater than truly healthy cleaning products (The latest research? You people who use anti-bacterial soap have just as many bacteria as the rest of us. Youre just making the little critters tougher and more resistant.)
4. Gifts that disappear into good causes
This list could be endless, starting with a good cause like the persons own body. Certificates for a massage, pedicure, yoga lesson or one-on-one with a personal trainer dont add to our durable goods syndrome, only to happier, more durable bodies.
Reaching beyond the personal space, to the neighbourhood, or even the globe, the list of good causes your gift can go to is endless. A membership for a year or for a lifetime, or simply a donation, in the giftees name of course, can make a huge difference. You feel good, they feel good and you can sleep easy on Christmas Eve knowing youve supported something greater than the national GDP.
Here are some of my favourites locally: Whistler Arts Council (604-935-8419), J.J. Whistler Bear Society (604-905-4209), Whistler Museum and Archives (604-932-2019), Whistler Animals Galore (604-905-7750), AWARE (www. awarewhistler.org). And beyond: Medecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (www.msf.org), Amnesty International (www.amnesty.org), The Jane Goodall Institute (www.janegoodall.org), Orangutan Foundation International (Biruté Galdikas organization) (www.orangutan.org).
If my list is too restricted or didactic for you, contact GiveMeaning.com. They will connect your gift dollars to a helpful organization in B.C., or beyond, and present your giftee with a card that allows him or her to choose the agency they wish to support. Organizations registered with GiveMeaning will report back to your giftee on how their gift dollars were spent.
Glenda Bartosh is an award-winning freelance writer who wishes everyone a Merry but thoughtful Christmas.