Advice
Welcome to our advice section. Every week I answer new questions submitted
by readers on Organizing, Image, Fashion and Event Planning.
You can read my "AddSPACE To Your Life!" column every week
in San Diego's “The Coast News" or read the archived columns
below.
E-mail your questions to advice@addspacetoyourlife.com
12.16.04
Gifts don’t have to clog
up friends’ home space
Dear Kathi,
What type of gift would you recommend for my friends who have recently
downsized and moved into a small condo. I would like to get them something
really nice but don’t want to add to their already overcrowded
space. Also, every year I am challenged to find gifts for the people
on my list that seem to have everything. Do you have any advice for
this weary shopper?
Melissa, Del Mar
Melissa,
It is really awesome that you are considering buying gifts that won’t
contribute to your friend’s clutter. I think we have all experienced
the challenge of trying to find a gift for our friends who seem to
have everything.
The gift ideas below will save you time in the mall and work well
for your friends that have everything or simply don’t have the
room for any additional possessions.
Gift Certificates: for a special homemade meal, outing, or event.
Make a creative, written invitation. Ideas include evenings out to
include babysitting, or services at a day spa. To avoid appearing
that this is a last-minute solution, show your sincerity by including
plans for the event in your invitation, and suggest a tentative date
for the activity.
Tickets: to the movies, a play, concert, or sports event.
Photographs: Look through this year’s photos to see if you have
a nice shot of the recipient with his/her family or friends. Make
an enlargement and present this in an original card or interesting
frame.
Gift of the Month: to include wine, flowers, coffee, or other deliverable
items. Instead of sending things now, send a gift card and arrange
for delivery at a later time (or even at intervals throughout the
year). Many florists and gourmet shops offer packages such as monthly
delivery of seasonal arrangements or delivery of special treats at
certain, prearranged times of the year. While this option isn't for
the budget-minded, it is a practical solution for that difficult-to-buy-for
person.
Food: If you like to cook, you can make welcome and inventive gifts.
Try something more original than the traditional holiday sweets and
snacks. Think about items that can be used at a later time, such as
homemade compotes or preserves, herb-flavored oils in attractive bottles,
or even flavored liqueurs.
Another food idea is to present a prepackaged "dinner in a basket."
Make a pot of pasta sauce and freeze in individual containers. Add
a package of dried pasta, some biscotti, and a bottle of wine. Attach
a card, a bow, and you've got a gift that won’t become another
unnecessary tchotchke and dust collector.
Dear Kathi,
My closet is full of clothes that I don’t want to wear but can’t
seem to part with. How can I get rid of these clothes without feeling
like I am being disrespectful to them by throwing them out? I have
worked really hard to buy these clothes and wish I could justify removing
them from my closet.
Tricia, San Marcos
Tricia,
It’s time to let go of the mistakes in your closet. It is a
disservice to yourself to keep unwanted and unworn clothing in your
possession. The most respectful thing is to give them to others less
fortunate by donating them to a local charity.
We've all done it at one time or another - purchased something
expensive on a whim only to change our mind later. Most of us also
have the “other” clothes that just didn’t work out
like we thought they would.
Rather than letting these unworn mistakes hang in the closet as reminders
that stir up guilt and regret, just let them go. Walk over right now,
pull them off the hanger, and give them away.
You will be sending them on their way to others less fortunate and
they will finally stop costing you in space, time and anguish. Release
and let go. There truly is no time better than the present to add
space to your life.
Kathi is a professional organizer, image consultant and event planner
based in San Diego California.
Please
submit your questions to:
advice@addspacetoyourlife.com
.
San Diego Professional Organizer
