With the holiday season upon us, a Savvy Auntie is out and about buying fabulous presents for her nieces and nephews.
 
It can seem easier to buy gifts for nieces and nephews than their parents and your friends. Since we adults seem to already have quite the collection of “stuff,” I think more about consumable gifts - gifts that are consumed often immediately and don't take up room on shelves, in closets or on the floor until a child wants to play with it again or an adult finally gets around to using it. Consumable gifts don’t always mean a gift of food or wine, but those are definitely consumable. In addition to food and drink, think about items people can use or experiences they can have.
 
Here are some ways you can give consumable gifts:
 
Food, Fun, and Festivities
 
Movie Night: The ever popular movie night is always fun. For your gift basket, you can include popcorn, candy, DVDs or certificates for movie rentals, a soft blanket, hot chocolate, and a gift card for pizza delivery.
 
Game Night: Along with a new board game or two, add a few snacks, such as popcorn and trail mix.
 
Dinner and a Movie: You can take two routes with this. One way is to give a “date-night” by providing gift cards for dinner at their favorite place and movie tickets while a certain Savvy Auntie babysits. For those who want date-night in, give a nice bottle of wine or a non-alcoholic beverage with dinner your recipients can cook up themselves, such as pasta.
 
Time for Tea and Books: For the reader in your life, pick up a few new tomes at the local bookstore, and add some tea and chocolate.
 
Rest and Relax: Create a restful gift with candles, bath salts, lotion, eye mask, and soothing music.
 
Countdown to 2013: Help your loved ones countdown for the New Year by including champagne for the parents, non-alcoholic beverages for the kids, horns, hats, and maybe a new calendar for 2013.
 
Go Van Gogh: For the Van Gogh in your life, include a few blank canvases, paint, brushes, colored pencils, and a sketch book.
 
Experiences
 
The Stage: Tickets for the theater, concerts, or other performances make great gifts.
 
Zoo or Museum Memberships: Family or individual memberships at their local zoo or museum usually come with great perks, discounts on special events, and other great deals.
 
Classes: For those who are interested in expanding their mind or pursuing their passion, you can give the gift of education. Think drawing, photography, cooking, writing, and other similar courses. Most large universities have Continuing Education departments who offer courses for the public taught by local experts.
 
The Great Adventurer: While I may desire to keep my feet on the ground, skydiving, trapeze lessons, sailing, and tango dancing are fun gifts for the adventurous types.
 
Jet-Setter: If your loved ones are planning a trip or a cruise, help them spring for a special dinner or outing while on their trip.
 
Homeowners: New homeowners could use a subscription to Angie’s List, a website to find recommendations for companies, DIY classes if they’re interested in doing hands-on work or a gift certificate for a handyman.
 
With a little creativity, you can give your loved ones a consumable gift that they will remember instead of one that they’ll have to dust.

Published: December 11, 2012