2009-12-10

Tips for a shopping-free holiday from NeighborGoods

It's happened again - the holiday season is clearly upon us. Along with the good tidings and cheer come the cold weather, increased stress, and the heavy obligation to buy more junk even though we can't afford it.

NeighborGoods is here to lighten the load and help you focus on what really matters: spending time with your loved ones.

Instead of buying gifts, try one of these ideas to show your giving spirit:

Help around the house:

Give coupons for help with the housework. Specific, long-planned yet unfinished projects work better than daily chores like washing dishes.

• Borrow this ladder to clean the gutters.


• Borrow this chainsaw to take down a tree.

Give the gift of your time and expertise:

Build a website for a friend, bake a pie for your brother, or offer a few free hours of marketing consulting to a colleague. Whatever you do, you likely have skills that would prove valuable as a gift to someone who needs them. Or you can use this as an opportunity to learn a new skill!

• Borrow this sewing machine to make your own snuggie!


• Rent this deep fryer to cook up some holiday treats.


• Borrow this flip cam to make a family movie

If you must buy:

Be sure to get a specific list. Buy only what your loved ones really need. Guesswork gifts often end up in landfills. Services and consumable items are always big hits and often come with a lower environmental price tag (massages and booze come to mind as popular choices).

If you have ideas of your own about how to avoid shopping this holiday season, join the discussion in the comments!