Gift ideas for a more thoughtful Christmas (and less *things*)
Set the scene: holiday cheer abounds - the lights are adorning Amsterdam, the trees are lit up for Christmas, the Bijenkorf display windows are filled to the brim with ornaments and intricate mannequins, donning sparkle and glamour. December is here, and with it, the pressure to display affection through objects.
Whether you're celebrating Secret Santa with friends or Christmas with your family, it's a season that lends itself to splurging. What to do if your budget is a bit tight? What if you don’t want to partake in the consumeristic frenzy?
NOT TO DESPAIR! There are, far and wide indeed, presents that are not things!
Below are six gift ideas for the best thing we can give each other, something priceless, beautiful, and true: time. I recommend experiences, DIY projects, or simple, powerful tokens of affection as the most thoughtful gifts of the season.
And, the best part: none of these experiences cost more than 20 to 40eur total. You can go as big or as small as you want. As cliché as it may sound, what matters is the thought and care you put into it. Having a smaller budget this year doesn't have to make you feel weird, stressed, or guilty about gift-giving: we can get creative together.
A love letter
This is one that's close to my heart. Suitable for friendsmas, end-of-year gifts, or even birthday gifts: a handwritten letter with your wishes, gratitude, and praise for someone you love. Sit down with a funny card - you can buy most ones for up to 3.50eur a piece, at most - and spend some time first thinking about what this person means to you.
What do you love about them? What do you admire about them? What are your hopes and wishes for their future? Take the time to write it all down in your notepad first, or have a general outline of it in your mind, and then get to writing. You'd be surprised how much more hard-hitting and beautiful a card can be once you take the time to really express yourself. I promise you, in a world of digital interactions, Instagram posts, and WhatsApp messages, going analog is really special.
Share a class
This is one of my favorite gift ideas. If your friend/lover/family member is more keen on doing things together - say, their love language is quality time - then learning something new together or practicing a craft is just the thing! I often check Eventbrite for suggestions of events happening within the week, month, or month(s) ahead, filter ticket prices, and get a really well-rounded selection. From cooking classes to painting and sipping wine to a dance studio class, you can find almost anything - usually for 10-20eur per person.
Not able to go with them? Gift them the class or experience as a token of your appreciation, if it's something you know they're really into. Example: a ticket for a Science & Cocktails event, a ticket for an arts & culture museum visit on something they're interested in, the list goes on.
Make your own day together
For those of you looking to knock the ball out of the park: plan your own day together! A good place to start is thinking of where you first met or the places you hung out in your city, that you may have not visited in a long time. Think parks, walking routes, and the like. Take your bikes, if you use them, and map out two, three, or even four stops for places you used to love visiting through the years - it can be window shopping on your favorite street, eating oliebollen together (when it's in season), or making a small picnic at your favorite park in the spring with your favorite snack from the Appie.
All these activities could cost you up to maybe 15-20eur total, if you want to share snacks, a drink, or get them coffee on the way. You can go as huge or as budget-friendly as you need: it's all in the memories!
Museumkaart Tour
Do you and your loved one have a Museumkaart? For those of you in the Netherlands with friends across cities or based in the same town with a Museumkaart, don't miss a good museum day!
You can plan 2 or even 3 museums - if you're ambitious - and pick ones your loved one might be interested in. In Amsterdam, take a tour from the Maritime History Museum to Huis Marseille. You can start your day with coffee together and take them through the beautiful world of Amsterdam and its beautiful art collections.
Bonus: take a day trip to the Krollen-Muller Museum! Check out your NS fares or rent a greenwheels and get going. This beautiful space is worth the trip - about an hour by car or two by train from Amsterdam - and the best part is, that tickets are already covered! HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
Make them something cute
Get to using your hands! A couple of years back, I was really into tie-dye - from t-shirts to socks to sweaters to hats. The best part is tie-dye kits last you AGES, so it's a really fun activity under 20eur that can last you for a few more tie-dye runs.
Get a secondhand white t-shirt or sweater and get to making a beautiful pattern for them - all with your own hands and loads of dye. It's easy, fun, and creative. Making something with your hands is rewarding, and the result is a unique, special piece they can wear and keep for years to come.
Other ideas for DIY:
A photo book or storybook with a story of your friendship, with blank spaces for them to fill in
A painting
A drawing of the two of you together! Tip: outline a photo of you guys and get collage-y with it to make a unique result
A homemade three-course dinner
This one was one of my favorites as a student especially - we all have to eat, don't we?
Instead of a big dinner at a restaurant, gift them a three-course homemade meal. On a menu, write down the entree, main, and dessert, and deliver it inside an envelope. Just like that, your home is a beautiful restaurant where you're the head chef. For maximized satisfaction: light some candles and play jazz music while you deliver and present every dish. I promise it's going to make you feel really warm and fuzzy inside to feed someone you love.
A tip: offer to make things you know they love, or learn a new dessert recipe for them. It's what sets this apart from a regular dinner night, and the joy on their face is priceless!
It's the season for giving - I hope you find some ideas here that don't break the bank and maximize the joy this winter!
♒︎
Clement Taffin is a digital comms specialist. When she’s not doing that, she’s agonizing over what it means to be a person in the 21 century. Follow us on Instagram @amsterdive ✴︎
