This holiday season, consider giving less stuff — and more meaning.
Every year, the winter holiday season rolls in — along with pressure to shop, spend and stack gifts. Many of us talk about the climate crisis and the need to consume less throughout the year. But between Black Friday and December’s end, good intentions may slip away, often due to social and family obligations.
The most meaningful gift might not fit in a box. Consider gifting your time this year.
Advantages of gifting time rather than material goods
Lightens the holiday load and reduces stress
Let’s be honest… gift giving can be stressful. Setting a budget, hunting for “the perfect” present, comparing prices, worrying about what others will think — all while racing against the clock. It adds up.
Choosing to gift your time instead can bring relief. No endless shopping lists. No last-minute online orders. Just fewer decisions and a gentler holiday season for you and the environment.
Less environmental impact
Most material gifts come with a heavy carbon footprint: raw materials, manufacturing, shipping and layers of packaging. Then there’s the wrapping paper, gift bags and decorations that often end trashed after one use.
The gift of time skips all that.
Creates memories that last
The thrill of giving and receiving a gift can be fleeting. And sometimes the reaction doesn’t quite match your expectations.
Gifts of shared experiences tell a different story. A walk, a meal, a moment of presence can bring deeper, longer-lasting joy. These are the memories we revisit years later — long after material gifts have been forgotten.
Strengthens relationships
In our busy, fast-paced lives, quality time often falls to the bottom of our to-do list. Giving the gift of time creates space for meaningful, intentional connection. It becomes something to look forward to.
“Green gift ideas”
Anytime — holidays, birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, graduations, apologies, in sympathy, celebration or just because — is a good time to show gratitude with a “green” gift.
Different ways to gift your time
There are many ways to gift your time to people you love.
Gifting time to loved ones
A day outdoors to enjoy winter
A hike in the mountains, a skating outing on frozen trails, an introduction to winter camping. These activities may seem ordinary at first glance, but adults often lack the time! Plan outdoor experiences as a gifts. They can bring joy, build connection to nature and strengthen relationships. Get inspired by activities offered in your region.
NEED INSPIRATION? DISCOVER AFFORDABLE AND ECO-FRIENDLY WINTER ACTIVITIES
A skill-sharing home workshop
Got talents or hobbies? Consider offering a workshop on an activity or skill you feel comfortable sharing. Are you crafty? Do you sew? Do you make your own cosmetics? Offer a workshop day at your home, with all materials included.
A coupon booklet (a gift that can last all year)
Make coupon books. You can offer child care, help with household chores, pet sitting, respite for elder care — ideas are limitless. (Know your gift recipient. These are most meaningful when they fulfil a need or want.)
Photo: Bryan Ochalla via Flickr
P.S. Can’t resist adding a little extra to your skill-sharing gift? Suggest going for a hot chocolate or pastry before or after.
Giving time to your community
A few hours or days to support your community or causes you care about is also a precious gift. You can give this during the holidays and beyond.
Volunteer during the holidays
Volunteers are really needed during holidays. Prepare food baskets or everyday items at a local shelter. Lead or help with activities in a community centre. Visit lonely seniors. Shovel snow for people with mobility challenges. You’ll find many ways to get involved.
Not sure where to start? Find a local or regional volunteer centre for available opportunities.
P.S. Volunteering during the holidays is popular. But organizations often need more volunteer support throughout the year, especially during quieter periods, such as after the holidays or during the summer. Involvement shouldn’t be limited to December.
Take part in a collection or prepare a donation box with family or friends
For some, finding time to volunteer during the holiday season can be hard. But there are still meaningful ways to contribute. Prepare a donation box for a community organization with items they need such as winter clothing, non-perishable foods and baby and personal care products. Contribute to the food drives organized at grocery stores. Invite your friends, family and/or colleagues to join you.
Photo: Michael Swan via Flickr
Volunteering as a together tradition
Turn shared care into tradition. Volunteer together as a family (birth and/or chosen) every year. Shared experiences such as community volunteering can open meaningful conversations about consumption, gratitude and what it means to support one another — especially at a time of year where excess is rampant.
Volunteering together offers more than help in the moment. It’s a chance to build empathy, nurture generosity and better understand the systems that affect people’s lives. Most of all, it creates space for connection with each other and the communities around us.
How can you present your gift of time in a way that makes it festive?
To make the gift of time more exciting and festive, get creative!
Consider presenting:
- A certificate or symbolic object (that you already have at home). Could be a used book, tea bag, hand-sewn fabric pouch or any other item that connects the theme of the shared activity you’re gifting.
- A “calendar of connection.” Identify dates of upcoming outings or activities throughout the year.
- An empty memory box. In a card, or in person, explain that this box will fill up as moments are shared (photos, little notes, dried flowers, etc.).
- An event. Create an admission ticket with all the useful details (time, date, place, etc.).
Gifting time can take various forms. Holiday traditions are often difficult to deconstruct or reinvent. Don’t be afraid to share your ideas and try new approaches. Just go for it! And who knows… maybe you’ll even inspire a few people around you.
