A Grinchy Idea

Now that the wrapping paper has been torn open and recycled, gifts have been oohed or exchanged, I had a thought about gift giving to adults.

I give you a gift card to your favorite store. You give me a gift card to a restaurant. It's very nice and wonderful, but let's think about this. What can you give me that I can't buy myself? And ditto for you? We just seem to go through an endless cycle of buying, giving, sometimes returning.  Honestly, how many scented candles do we really need? And sometimes, buying gifts for everyone puts a real strain on the wallet. What if we took a different approach?

We probably should think about donating to people and causes that could really use the cash. It's a good feeling to know you are helping out. Are you a teacher? I'll make a donation to a scholarship fund. Have a family member who suffered with Alzheimer's, Cancer, or some other ill?  (Though research to see how much of a donation actually gets allocated to the cause. Some agencies pay their executives huge salaries, and that's where the bulk of your donation goes.)

So, we've made a donation to a worthy cause. We feel good. Our homes aren't clutted with items we don't know what to do with, and we don't have to fight crowds to return items not really wanted.

Still it's fun to be surprised and open a gift chosen just for you. Here's the best part. Money is no object. What if, we gave virtual gifts? No money involved. Just happily searching the Interwebs for gifts?

I have some writer friends. Maybe one of them would like a writer's retreat. Well, Pound of Tea Island in Freeport, Maine is for sale. Wouldn't that make a great gift? Doesn't cost anything but time. Doesn't take up any physical space in your home. If you need a break, feel stressed, you can escape to your private island retreat. All without leaving your home.

So a good idea or grinch?