5 ways to give without giving stuff this Christmas

Giving without giving stuff at Christmas? You’re probably thinking that it sounds a bit selfish. But think about it for a moment. By avoiding the purchase of that handbag, lampshade or ultimate dad-pack of socks and scorched peanuts, you avoid the shops. Which means you avoid those sharp-elbowed, grim-faced alpha-shoppers who are as adept at taking out your ankles with a trolley as they are at beating you to that final bargain.

There’s also the fact that your gift can’t be dug out weeks early from the back of the cupboard. And when you hand over your gift, you’ll be the one basking in the glow of thoughtfulness while your siblings squirm about giving gran another photo frame. And then there’s the issue of space. Unless you’re in the mood for purchasing a new storage rack (how romantic) or paying for an extra storey on the house, dialing back the material goods is something everyone will be thankful for. Unless your loved one is a closet hoarder.

But most of all, handing over something that won’t gather dust might make the world a better (less-cluttered) place, which has to be good karma. So here are five ways you can make un-giving an art form this Christmas.