Looking to simplify your holidays this year? Here are some gift ideas to help you along.

Every year it seems we are bombarded with more and more advertisements at this time of year. Here are a few ideas that might appeal to you if you think that putting a set of car keys in a Christmas stocking seems a little excessive, or if you want to do something a little more meaningful with your giving this year.

World Vision Canada Gift Catalogue
World Vision USA
Bridgehead Fair Trade Gifts
Ten Thousand Villages Fair Trade
Kiva: Micro-Loans that Change Lives
Oxfam Unwrapped: UK Site
Oxfam Canada Gift Site
More Inspired Gift Ideas

Or consider offering a needed service: babysitting, petsitting, house minding, landscaping, photography, cooking, house cleaning, snow removal, odd jobs, etc.

For young children, consider making one of the crafty recipes (playdough, slime, homemade paints, etc.) from the Concoctions page.
You can also put together a craft package including construction paper, glue, safety scissors, coloured yarn, washable markers and/or crayons, scrap fabric, buttons, beads, etc. Package the kit in a reusable container and top with a reusable fabric bow and/or or paintable wood shape.

If crafts aren't their thing, how about a hand-made coupon for an outing to their favourite museum or attraction with you? Or an afternoon baking their favourite cookies or muffins together? Remember that a gift of time is much more valuable than anything you can buy in a store.

For relatives, gather together a collection of photos from your family from the past year. There are lots of ways to do this--you can make a cd or dvd on your computer or through your local photofinisher, make a photo collage using a commercial frame or with your own scrapbooking skills, make a more traditional photo album, or try making this photo collage box. For homemade picture frame ideas, try here. You can also try your hand at other homemade gifts, such as jams, preserves, cookies, cakes, candy, etc., or try one of the ideas on my homemade gift ideas page.

Still not sure? Try the Buy Nothing Christmas Site for even more ideas.

For teachers and coaches, consider a donation on their behalf. The World Vision Catalogue has many teacher-appropriate gifts. Or make a donation on behalf of a coach to Right to Play. You can make the gift more personal with a hand-made card. Or consider making a gift yourself. We have given these hand-painted snowman mugs to grandparents, coaches and music teachers (added a guitar to the snowman). For other homemade gift ideas see here. For homemade Christmas ornaments which also make great gifts, see here.

Stockings: sometimes Santa fills them, but sometimes he needs a little help. However it works in your house, you may find some of the following item suggestions helpful.

Stocking staples:
scented or specialty soaps
toothbrush
dental floss
wash cloth
comb or hairbrush
orange, apple or other favourite fruit
a book or magazine (here are some favourite books for children and tweens)
a pair of socks
underwear
pen and/or pencil
favourite candy
favourite tea or coffee
a bookmark, homemade or commercial
lip balm
bus tickets or pass
hair bands, or other hair accessories
hand cream
nail clipper, file and/or emery boards
shower cap
coffee mug or sippy cup
batteries
handkerchiefs
small notebook
screwdriver bits, drill bits and other small hand tools

Try following individual interests too:

Are there musicians in the family? They may need guitar picks, clarinet reeds, valve oil, ledger paper, etc.

Swimmers might need a new cap, body lotion or swimmers shampoo.

Hockey players might like a new puck, hockey tape or equipment spray.

Artisits always need supplies--smaller ones, like erasers, pencils, exacto knives etc. make great stocking stuffers.

Infants might like stackable bath toys, while preschoolers might like a batch of homemade playdough along with some plastic cookie cutters and a small wooden roller. Bubble bath is also popular.

Older kids might like some craft supplies, special pens or pencils, a journal, or a deck of playing cards.

Cyclists might appreciate a spare innertube or reflective tape.

Hikers might like a pair of hiking socks, a new water bottle, or an energy bar.

Consider making a donation to Right to Play on a coaches' behalf.

Teachers and parents might like a new calendar or headache relief items.

Use your imagination and the things you know about the person to guide you.

Start a New Tradition
Traditions form an important part of celebrations, but they all had a beginning. If you find the holidays stressful, take a look at what causes you the most grief. Then think about the aspect of the holidays that are important and meaningful to you. Follow the traditions that reflect these. And be willing to let go of those that no longer work for you and your family.

Perhaps you have experienced a major life change recently, such as the birth of a new child or the loss of a loved one. This is an opportunity to start a new tradition. Maybe you will light an extra candle or set an extra place at your dinner to remember a loved one. Maybe you will trace the handprint of a child on the same day each year as you watch them grow.

One tradition we've enjoyed is to keep a memory box. Find, make and/or decorate a small box (a larger shoebox works well). Throughout the year, add souvenirs, ticket stubs, photos, letters, newspaper clippings, awards, etc. to the box. On New Year's Eve, open the box and look through the contents to remember the past year together. Then start the year with an empty box again.

Remember that traditions are important, but not written in stone. If it no longer fits your family or creates unnecessary pressure, maybe it is time to replace it with something more appropriate. In my family, we no longer eat the same holiday meal than we once did, yet we enjoy our new meal much more because we are eating food we enjoy rather than the food our grandparents enjoyed. Remember the things that are important to you, and focus on those. Keep it simple and keep it real and have the best holiday season ever!