In-Kind Charitable Gifts

I've mentioned before that money is a great thing to donate to charities, as they can use economy of scale and other resources to stretch their dollars further. But plenty of charities accept in-kind donations, and many people prefer to give something tangible.

HOW TO PICK A CHARITY OR CAUSE

There are so many important charitable causes. Which ones you want to donate are up to you: different people have different priorities and different interests close to their hearts. Start with thinking of what group you want to support: the homeless, veterans, nursing home or memory care residents, people with special needs, hospital patients, marginalized or minority groups, abuse survivors, refugees, animals? What sorts of causes are important to you: conservation, disease research, literacy, youth development? 

 

Some of these groups have well-known, established groups. Others might be harder to find charities for. If you can't find a local, national, or global group, you'll need to investigate further. I find that asking schools, craft guilds, shelters, and the government offices that arrange social services are good places to start. For example, the McKinney-Vento Act provides certain guarantees for US public school students in unstable living situations, and a school district's McKinney-Vento liaison may be able to advise you what donations are needed or what organizations support the district's students. 

NEW OR USED?

Some charities are able to accept gently-used donations, especially ones that sell items in second-hand stores. If you're going through your home and find you don't need some of the clothing, household goods, tools, furniture, or other things, there is probably a charity that can accept them if they're in good condition and clean. Donating worn-out items just means the charity needs to spend its time and resources disposing of them. If you're not sure if your item is too used, think about why you're getting rid of it. Is it the wrong size, a duplicate item, a book or sports equipment you've barely touched, something you changed your mind about? Is it something you don't want to be pack for a move simply because it takes up too much room and you can buy another later? Probably fine. Is it torn, frayed, stained, missing parts, or not working right? Probably not (although Goodwill and other places can take worn out clothing to sell to textile recyclers, and pet shelters can often take old blankets or towels to use as animal bedding). Popular charities that accept donations include Goodwill, St. Vincent de Paul, Habitat for Humanity ReStore, and the Salvation Army. Some will even pick up at your home! Charity shops sell items to support their specific causes; look into what you might be supporting to see what causes are close to your heart.

Other groups must insist on new items. For example, some children's hospital maintain a wishlist of items that can be donated, and due to the fragile health of many patients, it's simply safer to pass on used items. And for reasons I hope are clear, donated underwear should always be brand-new.

Food drives are another example of in-kind donations. Often, you can request a list of greatest needs, which helps the food banks not be overloaded on certain items and low on others: it could be frustrating to have a glut of pasta but no sauces to put on it. Food banks usually are also able to accept diapers, toiletries, pads and tampons, and first aid items. Some can also take kitchen items like plates, cups, cutlery, can openers, and cooking pans and utensils; and some accept toys and cold weather accessories like hats. Expired food and food with damaged packaging (e.g.; dented cans or opened bags) cannot be accepted, and while some food banks can take fresh or frozen fruits, vegetables, and meats or even home-grown food, call first and ask about the food bank's capacity for these non-shelf-stable items.

HANDMADE OR STORE BOUGHT?

If you like to make things, there are many charities happy to accept your creations. Like to knit or crochet? Extreme weather shelters and groups like Joy of Sox and Stand up for Kids are often happy to accept knitted socks, hats, scarves, mittens, and other cold weather gear (store bought items are also welcome). Want to make something bigger? Project Linus collects crocheted, knitted, woven, tied fleece, and sewn blankets to give children in hospitals. There are likely to be many local charities as well. Quilting, knitting, crochet, and other craft guilds are great places to ask for ideas, as are local churches and food banks. You can also look into donating handmade crafts to charity auctions.

Don't have the time, material, skill, or inclination to make something, but still want to give? That's fine too! Around the holiday season, it's common for churches, schools, and other charities to set up Angel Trees or Advent Trees. These allow you to pick the (anonymous) profile of someone in need to buy presents for, which can range from a special toy to new clothing to household appliances, so you can choose what fits your budget and what's on your heart to give. The profiles have information to guide you, like favorite colors, clothing and shoe sizes, and biggest needs and wants. When I was growing up, my parents would have my siblings and me pick profiles for children our age, which made for a fun family tradition. Other groups like Toys for Tots show up around the same time, collecting new items that will be given to those in need. You can also contact schools, churches, community resource centers, homeless shelters, pet shelters, and charities to ask if there's a person or family in need of anything, and purchase from that wishlist.

There are lots of way to help those in need, and lots of items to make or buy. Decide what causes are important to you, and see how you can help.

Gifts for: Hikers, Campers, and Outdoor Enthusiasts

 If you're looking for a gift for someone who spends lots of time in the outdoors, it makes sense to use that as a starting point. While your recipient probably has most of the basics and knows what works best for a given specific outdoor activities--hiking shoes, a good tent, and so on--you can still think of ways to show that you want to enhance the love of the outdoors. 

EMERGENCY SUPPLIES

I recently saw this idea on a Reddit post, and I love it.

The compass, emergency whistle, and paracord are all on the handle

It's a set of emergency supplies for being out in the wilderness: first aid supplies (including medicine, in the red, green, and blue containers, and antibiotic and burn ointments), an emergency sleeping bag, a knife, water purifying droplets, hand warmers, energy gel snacks, a flashlight, a compass, an emergency whistle, paracord (that doubles as a handle on the water bottle), a lighter, and bright flagging tape to mark your location. They fit into the large water bottle, and the whole thing weighs a negligible amount. You'd hardly notice it in your bag, if at all.

The sleeping bag does fit inside, but there are two in the pouch
so it's easier to hang it by the carabiner

I have this wrapped and ready to put under the tree for Christmas: my husband likes to go hiking, and while he takes the essential precaution of telling me where he's going and how long he plans to be gone, it's always a good idea to be prepared for emergencies.

What sort of emergencies might your recipient want to be prepared for? Are the outdoor adventures in desert areas, dense forests, snowy climates, steep terrain, bear country? Is there any cell phone signal nearby, or is a satellite phone the only option? Does your recipient car camping and might need emergency roadside assistance (you can give AAA memberships as a gift), or is hiking to a primitive campsite preferred (maybe pay for a first aid course)?

REPLACEMENTS

In general, you should trust people to pick out the essentials of their passions on their own--they know what they want and what works best for their situations, and may have preferences on brand or material or other specifics. But if you notice that your recipient's outdoor supplies are in need of repair or replacement or even upgrade, those can make for an easy gift. I prefer to NOT have these sort of gifts be a surprise, in case I've guessed wrong. For example, maybe the hiking boots aren't worn out, they're finally broken in! But when my mother-in-law noticed our little camp cooking set was very subpar for a family with kids and offered to get us a proper camp stove, we were thrilled. If you're not sure you can get the specifics right, a gift card to a store that sells outdoor gear works well.

What might be past its prime? Is the tent too small now that a couple has children--or too big now that the kids are grown? Is the hiking backpack fifteen years old and showing its age? The boots might be in good shape, but are the laces? What about clothing?

You might even be able to make a replacement yourself. My husband had been trying to replace the carry bag for our tent for over a year to no avail. Looking at it, the bag was just four long rectangles with squares at either end, and a zipper. I got my seam ripper, took off the handles and zipper from the frayed and ripped bag, and sewed a new one out of duckcloth (a stronger material than the original).

Old bag (with cat for scale)

New bag--and the tent even fits!
Plus I was able to stitch our phone number into it.

CONSUMABLES

Outdoor adventures usually require snacks at the very least. There are myriad granola bars, trail mixes, and other snacks available to buy. Or maybe you know how to make some yourself! Homemade beef jerky, fruit leather, or nut mix offer quick energy. For overnight trips, dessert or breakfast items work too. As with any food items, be aware of allergies, intolerances, and other dietary restrictions. Also keep in mind that there won't be much refrigeration outside of coolers, and that crumbly food might not hold up well. If your recipient is going to be in an area with lots of large predators like bears or big cats, make sure the food can be stored safely.

Other things that might need to be replenished include insect repellent, sunscreen, firewood, batteries or lightbulbs for flashlights and other such items, water, propane or other fuel including gasoline for the driving part of the trip, first aid supplies, bear spray, ammunition, special cleaning supplies, yearly state or national park passes, and so on.

EXTRAS

Especially for hiking, most people don't want to bring more than the essentials. But there are a few things that are worth the extra weight and space. For example, a rain fly for a tent makes a huge difference if the weather turns bad while camping, as does a small fan when nighttime temperatures don't drop low enough to sleep comfortably. As I've gotten older, I vastly prefer to bring a camping cot rather than a sleeping on a mat on the ground. A brimmed hat is great for sun protection, but one that offers neck and ear covering is a nice addition for very hot or sunny areas (or anywhere for fair-skinned people). If your recipient likes to take a dog along, a dish for the dog to drink water from is great. or maybe a coat for the dog or balm for its feet. There are even sewing patterns to make collapsible bowls and coats--you could customize them to fit your recipient's interests or for visibility.

If they wouldn't add too much weight or take up too much space, field guides can be fun. Especially if your recipient might encounter new plants or animals or likes to stargaze, consider locally-geared books and pamphlets or topography and star maps. For the US, I really like the field guides by Stan Tekiela, full of pictures and arranged in easy-to-understand categories (the birds are arranged by color!). There are also hiking books specific to states and other locales that help people find hikes with particular geological features and explain how the landscape came to be. Astronomy guides help people identify stars, planets, and other celestial bodies, and mark the best times to watch for meteor showers, eclipses, and other exciting features. Binoculars and telescopes, if not too unweildly, might be a nice addition--if a solar eclipse is in the plans, be sure your recipient has the proper equipment to view it safely!

The August 2017 solar eclipse, viewed from Wyoming, USA--
I had eclipse glasses not only for me, but for the camera, too.

For other ideas, consider the off-season and the times surrounding outdoor adventures. Maybe your recipient needs some storage space and you know how to build shelves. Maybe the car is packed too full and a roof rack or trailer hitch carrier would be helpful. If it's a long trip, how about a gift card to grab food along the way? Or if you live between the adventure destination and your recipient's home, a shower after the trip!

If you're not sure whether your idea is a good one or something that will be annoying, check with your recipient. Surprise gifts are lots of fun, but it's better to know that your gift will be appreciated. And sometimes your idea is exactly what your recipient wants--but already has! At least in that case you know you had a good idea.

Gifts on a Budget: Things to Keep on Hand

Giving presents doesn't need to break the bank. Planning ahead lets you take advantage of sales, lower shipping prices, and is less stressful overall. Keeping some gift-related items around will help you be ready faster. Here are some ideas to get you started.

GREETING CARD SUPPLIES

Having ready access to rubber stamps, paint, markers, cardstock (or any paper) makes it easy to whip together a greeting card in minutes. They don't have to be fancy as long as they're from the heart.

It took longer to clean the stamps than to make the card.

And nothing says they need to be handmade. The most expensive of these cards were bought in a pack of six at a dollar store. Some are from thrift stores, some were sent by various organizations encouraging me to donate to their causes, and some are just the front half of cards I've received, with the personalized part torn off. I keep them with my postage stamps, ready for any time I want to drop someone a line, from condolences to congratulations. 

Most of the front halves are just the right size for postcards.

QUICK HOMEMADE GIFTS

What can you make quickly and easily? For me, it's baked goods. Knitting and sewing I can do too, but they take longer and require more concentration. So I make sure to keep baking staples on hand, and pounce on fun extras I see on sale.

Seasonally-colored icing and sprinkles go on sale after holidays and keep well,
and things like cookie cutters and other baking forms are abundant at secondhand stores.

Because I already have the supplies, it's not hard to make a quick batch of treats for a gift.

Some sprinkles, icing, or chocolate chips can quickly turn plain cookies into
 a festive Valentine plate, a Pokemon ball, a favorite animal, or a Minecraft piece.

They also add a nice touch to treats for celebrations like the end of Ramadan,
ready to mail when you can't celebrate in person during state-wide quarantines,.

What can you have on-hand? Do you have a flower patch that you can use for bouquets? Do you like to embroider or silk-screen, and can you keep some plain dish towels or shirts by the machine for quick designs? Do you like to make jewelry, and can you store beads or other supplies you see on good sales? Is there space in your freezer to store an extra casserole that you can either enjoy in a few weeks or give as a gift?

STOREBOUGHT (OR FREE) SAVINGS

If you see something useful on sale, especially clearance, and you have the funds, grab it. Even better for a budget, check groups like BuyNothing, where people give away things they no longer need for free. If you can hang on to a selection of things, you're ready for last-minute baby presents, birthdays, and lots more.

Especially nice when your kids get invited to things at the last minute,
hence my desire to store child-appropriate gifts

And for wrapping the gifts? You can often get away with free. Save gift bags and tissue, or scope out free sources like BuyNothing. Have a place to keep them, and you'll never to need to buy them.

There's also the old standby of newspaper as gift wrap
(mailed ads on newsprint are easier to come by nowadays),
or you can use children's coloring pages.

Don't go overboard: you don't need to be a hoarder. I don't keep more things than can fit in their designated spaces, and I don't let them overflow. And don't buy what you weren't already planning to: spending a ton of money, especially if your budget is tight, on paints is useless if you don't paint. But if you do have a bit of extra space in your home and your budget, it's really nice to take advantage of sales so you can be prepared.

Sewing Tutorial: Toy Hammock

This is a very simple pattern designed to keep toys in check. My children like to have a few special toys in their beds, and I did too when I was their ages. With just a yard of fabric and some elastic, you can help the toys not take over the bed.

My kids keep pajamas in theirs as well.

SUPPLIES

1 yard cotton fabric
2.5 yards elastic (1 inch wide, non-roll)

Conveniently, the stores near me sell elastic in 2.5 yard packages.

INSTRUCTIONS

Hem around all four sides.

Hooray for irons and being able to crease the fabric before sewing it!

Next, you'll be sewing a tube on the cut edges (i.e., the non-selvage edges). Fold the hemmed cut edges down three inches or so, and sew along the hem. There will be one tube on each end, and the yard of fabric will have shrunk by about seven inches between the hems and the tubes.

It's not critical to get the width exact, so long as there's plenty of room for the elastic.

One tube on either cut end.

Fold the fabric in half lengthwise, right sides together. Line up the two tubes and sew the narrow edges together.

Like this. Sew on the short parts, from the folded edge to the tubes.

Don't sew over the tube; you'll need it open for the elastic.

Run the elastic through the tube.

Hooray for giant darning needles!

Finally, making sure the elastic isn't twisted, overlap the ends at least an inch and sew it together. Hide the seam inside one of the tubes, and you're done!

You could also use thread that matches your elastic, but I'd still work this inside the tube.

Ready to hang on a bed.
Depending on how heavy what it's holding is, you might want the elastic shorter,
or need to loop it around the bedposts a few times.

Gifts for Emergencies

When disaster strikes, be it a friend losing a job or an earthquake leveling a city, it's natural to want to help. But what can you do, especially if the people you want to help are far away? What can you give that will be helpful rather than burdensome and respect the dignity of those you're trying to help? How do you safely get it to the right people?

STRAIGHT CASH

In many cases, the immediate need is money. People might need a hotel to stay in while escaping an abuser, new clothes after surviving a fire with only their pajamas, or food and medication to make it through to the next day. When people can choose their own things to buy, it ensures they get the correct items to meet their needs, like correct shoe sizes or things that won't aggravate allergies. It also allows the victims some dignity: asking for help requires a lot of humility. When a wide-spread disaster affects a whole region, buying necessities locally also helps the business owners and employees who are struggling with the same problems. Gift cards are also helpful this way. 

Monetary gifts can also be funneled through various charities, which have the advantage of being more efficient through the use of economy of scale, buying in bulk, and already-established connections. However, it is imperative that you be sure the charities are legitimate and reputable. It's all too common for fake charities to pop up in the wake of disasters and scam people who want to help. Be very suspicious of new charities you've never heard of before, and research them. Charity Navigator, Charity Watchdog, and Guidestar are good sources to check, as well as Consumer Reports and news outlets. If you're unsure the legitimacy or efficacy of a given organization, don't give it a cent. If you have reason to believe it's an outright scam, contact someone who can do something about it, like a news reporter, law enforcement, or the attorney general's office (or local equivalent).

IN-KIND DONATIONS AND MASLOW

There is a place for physical gifts--money isn't the only thing that can help. Right after a catastrophe, what's needed? What gets priority? Don't assume that the thing you want to give is the thing that's needed. The season nine M*A*S*H episode "Death Takes a Holiday" drives this point home (spoilers alert: go watch the episode if you're able; it's really good): a main character donates exquisite handmade chocolates to a local war-torn orphanage, continuing his family tradition of giving such luxuries to the less fortunate. He's initially outraged to learn that the orphanage director sold the chocolate on the black market, but softens quickly when the director points out the happiness from the treat would have lasted a moment or two, but the money from their sale will provide food for an entire month. The donor apologizes for his outburst with an eloquent epiphany: "It is sadly inappropriate to give dessert to a child who has had no meal." 

https://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html

Maslow's hierarchy of needs puts the needs at the base of the pyramid as the first priority: food, water, medical aid, shelter; what we need to survive. After addressing these--that is, ensuring the disaster victims stay alive--psychological and self-fulfillment needs can be addressed. They don't need to be strictly linear though; you can comfort someone while providing food, for example.

In the immediate aftermath, there might not be time to go shopping, or even the ability, depending on the time and scope of the disaster. But if you have on hand extra food, blankets, clean water, or a spare room--and you can safely share them--feel free to. Be sure your items are appropriate: you'll have to search long and hard to find someone who wants used underwear, no matter how new it looks. Heat-and-serve meals can be convenient and are often comfort foods, but not very easy to make if there's no home to cook it in. Don't give just the sake of giving; give something useful. 

As the recovery progresses, there is likely to be ongoing needs. This is when hand-made items might be more appropriate--you can invest the time needed to make something after basic needs are met (either by you or someone else; you don't have to do it alone). Sometimes groups will auction off a large items made for a specific. For example, after the 2014 Oso mudslide in Washington, a small group of people came together to commission and sew a quilt that was auctioned off with other donations at a gala (https://www.heraldnet.com/news/oso-memorial-fundraiser-seeks-to-help-build-a-place-to-heal/). All the proceeds, including ticket sales for entry, went to help the community that had been destroyed and build a very moving memorial for the 43 people who died. Similarly, groups like the Linus Project provide handmade blankets to children in hospitals, and other charities make other keepsakes to help families through difficult circumstances. Pre-existing social groups like churches and guilds often organize meal trains or house cleaning when a member is beset by financial, medical, or other catastrophe.

Currently, the world is still dealing with the already months-long COVID19 pandemic. People are stressed over the uncertainty of...everything, and the end is unclear. Initially, the concern was scrambling to have enough hospital space and medical equipment. While that's still being addressed, there are other issues that need attention too. There's plenty of time for those with the ability and resources to sew masks for people, either for donation or sale (no moral objection from me; people need to be able to buy food). People feeling isolated need phone calls, video chats, or letters to feel connected again.

Along similar lines, some charities help victims of long-lasting or widespread disasters funnel their talents into businesses, setting them up for long-term success. Fair trade items, though not without controversy, are a good example of this, and available in a variety of physical and online stores.

BURNOUT AND OXYGEN MASKS

As you help someone through an emergency, watch out for your own well-being. While you can absolutely make a difference to some people, you can't save the entire world. You also won't do much help in the long run if you, for example, visit a disaster-torn area and end up taking much-needed resources from the actual victims of it. 

Burnout is a real thing. Far too often, family ends up sole caretakers for a loved one who needs professional help, and feels too embarrassed or proud to ask for help, or doesn't realize how much the help is needed until it's too late. It's not wrong or unloving to admit that you can't do it alone; on the contrary, I think it takes more love to be able to let people help--your love for your family member is more important than your pride. Take care of yourself and don't spread yourself too thin. You won't be able to continue helping if you run yourself into the ground. As the saying goes, put on your own oxygen mask before assisting others with theirs.

It's okay to say no sometimes. You don't need to help every single person, especially when doing so is detrimental to yourself. Don't metaphorically set yourself on fire to keep someone else warm. Sheltering an abuse victim is undeniably selfless, but are you opening yourself up to danger from the abuser? It might be better in the long run to get the abuse victim to a safehouse or professional shelter. 

THE LITTLE THINGS

Depending on your circumstances, you might not be able to do much in the way of monetary or in-kind support. You yourself might be one of the victims of the disaster, or maybe the disaster was of a scale that you really need to step aside and let the professionals handle the matter. Those of us who remember the 9/11 terror attacks might also recall that people lined up to donate blood...but there weren't enough people who survived to use that much and blood banks turned people, including my brother, away and asked them to come back in the next few weeks to keep the baseline blood supply adequate.

So, what happens when it seems like there's nothing you can but you're still drawn to help? You remember that your gesture doesn't need to be huge. Even a five dollar donation to a food bank can be added to the small donations from dozens of others and stretched to help far more than you could do on your own.

As you would with someone grieving, you can also show support just by being there. Even if the disaster doesn't come with actual loss of life, it will be jarring to the victims. A card, a phone call, attending a public memorial--this means something to people trying to put their lives together, and helps with the higher parts on Maslow's hierarchy pyramid.

When you feel called to help, take care to offer real, meaningful, and useful help--and answer the call. 

Gifts for Delivery People and Other Service Industry Workers

No man is an island, and all of us rely on people to help us at one time or another. Some people have standing appointments with a regular hairdresser or other beautician; some people need or want food and grocery delivery; some people have household help like cleaners, maids, nannies, and maybe even cooks and drivers; many subscribe to newspapers, landscaping and pest control businesses; and waste management services; and most, if not all, get mail and more from the post office and other parcel delivery companies. Often, people want to display their gratitude around the holidays or at other times. Here are some ideas.

COLD, HARD CASH (OR GIFT CARDS)

You can't go wrong with this! Many people add an extra tip for newspaper delivery, beautician services, and household help around the December holidays, or add a bonus to the last paycheck of the year. Make sure your tip gets to the right person--send or hand it directly to your recipient if possible.

It might be more prudent to give a gift card in some cases. I leave envelopes with coffee shop cards taped to our trash bins for our waste management people, for example--it's a little more secure, it's obviously not garbage, and since they don't always come at the same times each week, it's ready when they are. Same for my letter carrier--it's easy to leave a note on my mailbox, as it's on my porch. When I was in an apartment with dozens of other tenants, I was able to figure out our normal delivery time for days I was home (package tracking will tell you what times packages are left), and hang out to meet the letter carrier.

Some companies limit the value of a gift their employees can receive. For example, US postal workers cannot accept gifts worth more than $20. Check to be sure your efforts are within such guidelines.

REFRESHMENTS

Some people make a habit of leaving snacks and drinks for service workers. I try to leave a cooler with water bottles for letter carriers, parcel delivery, and waste management workers if it gets above 90 (hot for my area, and they tend to come in the middle of the day). In the winter, I leave out hand warmers. In that same large apartment building, a UPS driver dropped off a package shortly after I put cookies in the oven. I told him he could come back when he finished delivering the rest of the packages on his cart. He did, and it made my day to be able to give him fresh cookies. During the COVID19 lockdowns when people were ordering more and more online, I put out a basket with (fresh) snacks each day, and sewed face masks for delivery people and waste management workers (those I put in Ziploc bags and taped to the trash bins, with notes).

I also printed out this comic strip to adorn the mailbox

If a service worker is fixing something in your home or you have landscapers outside, it seems only polite to at least offer water and use of the bathroom if needed. 

A PERSONAL TOUCH

If you know the service worker well enough, you can make or buy something more personalized, even if the personalization is limited to a heartfelt note. I used to be a nanny for a particular family, for four years. The first December, I was pleasantly surprised to see a large bonus in my paycheck. The following Christmases, after we knew each other better, I got gift cards to stores the family knew I liked and my children were given fancy Christmas dresses. When I found out my letter carrier liked Cherry Coke, I gave him a six-pack of cans for Christmas. 

Although, one time I got a Christmas bonus of a microfiber throw blanket (not as a service worker, in an office)... some co-workers commented they'd seen the same throws at Costco for very cheap, much less than previous years' holiday bonuses... the office manager was later arrested for embezzlement. You don't need to break the bank to give a thank you gift if you feel so inclined--as these people are doing their jobs and hopefully being paid well to do so, you don't need to give anything at all. But whatever you do, don't embezzle to do it!

Planning for the Future...Way in the Future

Nostalgia is powerfully evocative. If you can, you might want to consider hanging on to some things for the future. For example...

GET IT BEFORE YOU FORGET IT

If you get a brilliant idea for a perfect gift, get it sooner rather than later. At least write it down so you won't forget. I've had a Christmas present waiting since the end of December 2019, because I had the opportunity to get it then and didn't want to miss it. I also have a book that I'll pair with a knit baby blanket when a particular friend has a baby--it's a story about a present being broken on the way to a party, the same way the gift I gave my friend for her wedding shower broke.

Plus, the gift that broke--a tea set from her registry--was an inside joke from our childhood

In the past, I've also saved things I found at secondhand stores, waiting for the right time. Once I found a book about a duck family and put it away for when my brother had his first child (like my friend, I knew he wanted a family). He almost got a little teary when I gave it to him and his wife after they announced a baby was on the way--six years after I found the book.


PLAN AHEAD

Some gifts might take a while. Making vanilla extract only takes two ingredients, but requires months to be ready to use. When I grew a cutting of my great-grandparents' houseplant that I inherited for my grandfather (their son) as a birthday present, I needed to start growing it several weeks in advance. Last Christmas, I gave some of my family pumpkin and watermelon seeds from my garden. That meant that when I harvested the plants, I had to remember to set aside the seeds, let them dry, and package them to last until the following spring. I lost them twice in that time! Fortunately I found them again both times, but I should have learned the lesson the first time. I plan to do the same with flower seeds in the future, and I have a better system now!

Be on the lookout for things that can be used for gifts. Bits of wedding invitations can become custom Christmas ornaments. When I knitted dishcloths for party favors at baby showers for my nieces and nephews, I saved a few to give them for housewarming presents when they're adults.

Labeled, just in case

Think of things to mark the passage of time for anniversaries or birthdays, like things made in specific years.

This proof set is from the year I got married--I already gave my husband the penny on our first anniversary, the nickel on our fifth, and the dime on our tenth. The quarters will wait for our twenty-fifth, but I'll likely not wait for a fiftieth anniversary for the half dollar, and definitely not for a hundredth anniversary for the dollar!

You might also have access to some special memorabilia, like clothing or jewelry that belonged to a deceased loved one. Personal effects can be given as is or made into keepsakes, like a throw pillow made from fabric cut from a favorite shirt or earrings made into suncatchers.

I made these throw pillows from fabric a friend's late mother had saved:
one for my friend, one for each of her grandchildren

Plus a few bookmarks and a Christmas ornament from the last few

These medals belonged to my late aunt. I've kept them safe, and have been passing them along when my siblings and cousins have children, so her great-nieces and -nephews have something of hers

SCHEDULE IT

If you want to mark a particular occasion, leave yourself reminders. Paper or electronic calendars are good options, and some email services let you schedule emails for later. As in the picture of the dishcloths, I label gifts that I'm saving. Aside from the possibility I might forget why I'm saving something, there's a chance I'll need to trust someone else to take care of it for me after I'm gone.

Reminders are also good for gifts that require several steps. My parents have three kids; when the last of us was about to get married, I had an idea to get pictures of us siblings together at each of our weddings and put them in a nice frame for a Christmas present. I had gotten married eleven years before and my wedding pictures were taken on film, and unusually sized film at that--plus since I hadn't been planning this already, I needed to zoom in on one of the pictures to crop just us. I ended up having to track down a specialty photo place and wait a few weeks for them to get the pictures developed, and they were also able to make other prints for Mother's Day (Mom with each of us at our weddings), Father's Day (Dad with each of us), and the following Christmas (Mom and Dad at each wedding and at theirs, since that Christmas was shortly before a milestone wedding anniversary. It would have been easier if I'd thought to get those poses at the time, instead of hoping there was something salvageable more than a decade later!

SAVE IT

What do you with a gift while you hold on to it for months or years? You need a dedicated spot to keep it, so it won't get lost. My sister-in-law has a shelf in her closet, I keep two boxes under my bed--whatever works for you. Just be sure it's safe!

Christmas on the left, everything else on the right