I’m not a massive consumer 365 days of the year. Understatement.
When it comes to Christmas, and the giving of gifts we do give some gifts to close family. But over the last few years gift giving has reduced dramatically.
Why?
I find the commercial side of Christmas rather depressing. Being a trained professional marketing person, I understand it. I get it. Christmas is a huge opportunity for retailers.
But sincerely I’d rather spend my time and money on a special meal with family and friends, than spend a day trawling the shops looking for clutter that will have no use after the initial excitement of unwrapping it on Christmas day.
The gifts that are given are typically consumable. Or an experience. Or both. Something to enjoy there and then, or in the near future and not to keep.
I’m a fan of boxes generally. And at Christmas I love compiling the Christmas boxes.
Click here to read last years post all about it!
So simple to put together, to store and to send to Santa 😉
I can’t show you what’s inside as that might spoil Christmas! Previously there has been a mix of shop-bought reusable boxes, and also upcycled boxes.
This year I’m taking Christmas off, and it’s unlikely I’ll be recycling and decoupaging any shoe boxes.
I thought I’d share the box love. 
Drop a comment in below with what you’d like in this box! Anything goes! It’s all about having a bit of fun!
You don’t need to guess what’s actually in the box! (As I said on Facebook yesterday – I need cheering up!)
Then I’ll select someone to receive the actual contents of this box. Which I’ll surprise you with!
Sorry you’re feeling blue, I’m not a big facebook user but I’ve been on and liked your post from yesterday – hope you’re feeling brighter today.
My favorite thing with presents is the surprise, I love not knowing what’s inside. I think my ideal gift would be a reading hamper, with charity shop books, chocolate, coffee, bookmark. I adore reading and think it would make an awesome present. I was just about to say I don’t know anyone who loves reading like I do, but that’s not true, our 12 year old is an avid reader! We’ve already sorted her Christmas and birthday gifts this year (13 on the 30th!) but I’m writing this idea down as a gift for her for next year!
Sorry you’re feeling blue, I’m not a big facebook user but I’ve been on and liked your post from yesterday – hope you’re feeling brighter today.
My favorite thing with presents is the surprise, I love not knowing what’s inside. I think my ideal gift would be a reading hamper, with charity shop books, chocolate, coffee, bookmark. I adore reading and think it would make an awesome present. I was just about to say I don’t know anyone who loves reading like I do, but that’s not true, our 12 year old is an avid reader! We’ve already sorted her Christmas and birthday gifts this year (13 on the 30th!) but I’m writing this idea down as a gift for her for next year!
I love everything Christmas. But I have never gone off the deep end of it. My children always received (mostly) practical gifts and we have definitely made experiences part of Christmas. But not as many or as much as everyone else. And as I get older, it does get more difficult to keep up with all the “things”. Things to do. Things to buy. I have been slowing down a little each year. It sounds like you’re just being kind to yourself and your family, which is part of the true meaning of Christmas.
So inside the box? I was tempted to agree with Emma since I do love reading but I would like more time to read. And someone to vacuum for me. lol. Merry Christmas.
I love everything Christmas. But I have never gone off the deep end of it. My children always received (mostly) practical gifts and we have definitely made experiences part of Christmas. But not as many or as much as everyone else. And as I get older, it does get more difficult to keep up with all the “things”. Things to do. Things to buy. I have been slowing down a little each year. It sounds like you’re just being kind to yourself and your family, which is part of the true meaning of Christmas.
So inside the box? I was tempted to agree with Emma since I do love reading but I would like more time to read. And someone to vacuum for me. lol. Merry Christmas.
I would love to receive a box containing a “momma’s night off.” Maybe a bottle of red wine, some bubble bath, some chocolate treats, a romantic DVD to watch (or perhaps a book instead), and a pair of new comfy pyjamas. And a promise from my hubby that he’ll be taking the kiddos and vacating the premises for the entire evening to give me some peace and quiet!! :-). That’s a gift I could really appreciate!!
I would love to receive a box containing a “momma’s night off.” Maybe a bottle of red wine, some bubble bath, some chocolate treats, a romantic DVD to watch (or perhaps a book instead), and a pair of new comfy pyjamas. And a promise from my hubby that he’ll be taking the kiddos and vacating the premises for the entire evening to give me some peace and quiet!! :-). That’s a gift I could really appreciate!!
I would love to receive a surprise box. I love homemade bath soaps, oils and bath bombs. I love homemade candles. I love to read books on homesteading and frugal living (purchase most of my books through the Friends of the Library sale, thrift stores.
I would love to receive a surprise box. I love homemade bath soaps, oils and bath bombs. I love homemade candles. I love to read books on homesteading and frugal living (purchase most of my books through the Friends of the Library sale, thrift stores.
This is such a cliche, but after the Sydney siege and just reading about the awful school attack in Pakistan, I would just like that box to contain peace. The sort of peace that can give me patience so that my family’s Christmas is peaceful ,without me running around like a headless chicken and getting cross because life isn’t doing what I want it to! Have a lovely Christmas!xxxxxxx
This is such a cliche, but after the Sydney siege and just reading about the awful school attack in Pakistan, I would just like that box to contain peace. The sort of peace that can give me patience so that my family’s Christmas is peaceful ,without me running around like a headless chicken and getting cross because life isn’t doing what I want it to! Have a lovely Christmas!xxxxxxx
Time. Twenty years of my life back or more time every day to do everything or more time to sleep. What I need most is time!
That’s probably not what’s in the box. LOL
Christmas has gotten more complicated, not less, as the years go by. We have elderly parents to be included in plans, and one grownup child who has health issues and cannot come home for Christmas so we visit her. All of this just to be with our loved ones during this time of the year. Add in the food, the tree, the gifts, the cleaning, the office get-togethers. None of it necessary, I suppose, but it would feel empty not to do/have/make/attend those things.
I’m both sad and glad that other folks find Christmas stressful, too. It helps me not to blame anyone (including myself); I am more able to mentally shrug it off and say to myself that all the running around is because I love my family and want to be with them, so it’s all worth it.
Now, for a serious answer to your question of what I’d like to find in that box – books! Or food! I love both 🙂
I hope you are feeling better today, Jo. I don’t do Facebook but it sounds like you are feeling melancholy. Some days and even some years are like that, but things eventually right themselves, I have found. May it be so for you.
Time. Twenty years of my life back or more time every day to do everything or more time to sleep. What I need most is time!
That’s probably not what’s in the box. LOL
Christmas has gotten more complicated, not less, as the years go by. We have elderly parents to be included in plans, and one grownup child who has health issues and cannot come home for Christmas so we visit her. All of this just to be with our loved ones during this time of the year. Add in the food, the tree, the gifts, the cleaning, the office get-togethers. None of it necessary, I suppose, but it would feel empty not to do/have/make/attend those things.
I’m both sad and glad that other folks find Christmas stressful, too. It helps me not to blame anyone (including myself); I am more able to mentally shrug it off and say to myself that all the running around is because I love my family and want to be with them, so it’s all worth it.
Now, for a serious answer to your question of what I’d like to find in that box – books! Or food! I love both 🙂
I hope you are feeling better today, Jo. I don’t do Facebook but it sounds like you are feeling melancholy. Some days and even some years are like that, but things eventually right themselves, I have found. May it be so for you.
i love to try & keep christmas a bit old fashioned & traditional. I love to see traditional tree decorations, wrapping paper & wooden toys for my boys. I would love to fins an olde style jack in the box in here 🙂
@emmav6
i love to try & keep christmas a bit old fashioned & traditional. I love to see traditional tree decorations, wrapping paper & wooden toys for my boys. I would love to fins an olde style jack in the box in here 🙂
@emmav6
The things i’d like in a box aren’t things. A conversation with my elderly uncle before his demetia set in and he no longer recognises me. My daughter a cuddly little 4 year old who loved to giggle before the hormones set in. My son’s all tucked up in bed by 8p.m safe and sleepy. Some energy to fight the tiredness that engulfs me after a 14 hour shift 🙁
Dear me that’s a whole heap of miserableness…sorry… Failing all of that, cashmere socks a new hot waterbottle and a lovely bottle of Rose.
Sharron x
The things i’d like in a box aren’t things. A conversation with my elderly uncle before his demetia set in and he no longer recognises me. My daughter a cuddly little 4 year old who loved to giggle before the hormones set in. My son’s all tucked up in bed by 8p.m safe and sleepy. Some energy to fight the tiredness that engulfs me after a 14 hour shift 🙁
Dear me that’s a whole heap of miserableness…sorry… Failing all of that, cashmere socks a new hot waterbottle and a lovely bottle of Rose.
Sharron x
Oh, do you know I think I agree with Emma. The type of gift that I would absolutely adore at Christmas is one that sadly I’m unlikely to get… a box of random pre-loved books to lose myself in. It’s always lovely to get these kind of things as gifts, as you discover new genres and new authors and it expands your world.
Oh, do you know I think I agree with Emma. The type of gift that I would absolutely adore at Christmas is one that sadly I’m unlikely to get… a box of random pre-loved books to lose myself in. It’s always lovely to get these kind of things as gifts, as you discover new genres and new authors and it expands your world.
Hi
I would like the box to have a magic remedy to illness. This is the second Christmas I find myself I’ll in bed and I feel very sorry for myself. That or chocolate!!!
Donnax
Hi
I would like the box to have a magic remedy to illness. This is the second Christmas I find myself I’ll in bed and I feel very sorry for myself. That or chocolate!!!
Donnax
Snow for Christmas Day, some baileys and a peaceful Christmas time .
Snow for Christmas Day, some baileys and a peaceful Christmas time .
A lovely book, some chocs, cosy socks, hot chocolate and marshmallows for the top!
Sorry you are fed up Jo. Hope you pick up soon.
SBM is my fave blog and my “go to” place whenever I sit down with my tablet. Thank you Jo! Xxx
A lovely book, some chocs, cosy socks, hot chocolate and marshmallows for the top!
Sorry you are fed up Jo. Hope you pick up soon.
SBM is my fave blog and my “go to” place whenever I sit down with my tablet. Thank you Jo! Xxx
i like a pause button please!!! i can pause the kids and i may actually be able to get five minutes peace. i promise itll only be five minutes. i honestly wont forget and just leave them on pause!
i like a pause button please!!! i can pause the kids and i may actually be able to get five minutes peace. i promise itll only be five minutes. i honestly wont forget and just leave them on pause!
I’m thinking of all the things I load up on when I’m in England – nothing fancy, and much of it from Home Bargains or Tesco! Body washes and lotions, lovely chocolates (including bags of Revels, my favorites! can’t seem to find them anywhere here). I always end up with a new book or two, also. Looks like many of us have the same idea of comfort. Hope you’re cheered, Jo. You have such a nice community of people here and I’m happy to be a part.
I’m thinking of all the things I load up on when I’m in England – nothing fancy, and much of it from Home Bargains or Tesco! Body washes and lotions, lovely chocolates (including bags of Revels, my favorites! can’t seem to find them anywhere here). I always end up with a new book or two, also. Looks like many of us have the same idea of comfort. Hope you’re cheered, Jo. You have such a nice community of people here and I’m happy to be a part.