Would you also like a monthly coffee subscription? Good news! I bought it for you again this year. Yes, I’m a regular gift giver – and no, I’m not ashamed. Instead, I think it’s time we all take the stress out of gift-giving, and in that sense, repeat gifting is the real gift to me.
I can’t quite believe this revelation. I have my sister-in-law to thank for getting me the ultimate Christmas gift: a six-pack of Jeni’s ice cream in mouth-watering flavors like Blackberry Crisp and Maple Pancake. Amid the sea of orange Shutterfly boxes in the lobby of our apartment, zooming in on another orange box—one of which says “Ice Cream” on it—makes me feel like I won the post office lottery. ice cream! In the mail!
Before my husband and I put down our spoons, we were already thinking about who we could gift this experience to next. Or really, who won’t receive this from us at some point. Unwrapping ice cream boxes is much more fun than 90% of other gifts. Nothing to assemble. There is nothing to return for another size. There’s nothing to make room for except temporarily in the refrigerator.
The best part? We can do it again next year.
So over the past five years, my family has come to look forward to having our own box of fancy ice cream during the holidays. Honestly, I love it. It makes my job easier. In fact, my parents and in-laws are now incorporating it into their gift rotation as well, and it’s actually fun to see how this trend develops. After all, this is the season of giving, sharing joy, and everything in between.
My brain – and I bet yours is too – is on a fig pudding consistency around the holidays, which leaves absolutely zero room for me to guess what you want this year Unless you tell me. Please feel free to tell me. Because, otherwise I would go back to the greatest hits. It’s time to normalize repeat gift giving. This isn’t re-gifting (which is also fine) – it’s re-gifting.
In a sense, it’s more thoughtful than trying something new – you remember what they liked and want them to experience it again.
Our first choice is ice cream, but there are many ways to make repeat donations. Re-subscribing to coffee/books/beers/whatever this month can take away your loved one’s anxiety about going back to “the old days” because this subscription isn’t a staple in their lives. Does Mom like last year’s charm bracelet? Great, you can now buy her new ornaments every year. What’s your recipients’ favorite streaming service for another year? They’ll probably have to update it anyway; you might as well save them this step. See, your shopping list is pre-written! Hell, you could even call it a “tradition,” and who doesn’t love traditions during the holidays?
Maybe it’s just me, but I like practical gifts—things I was planning to buy but don’t have to. It’s not just about receiving a gift; it’s also about receiving the gift of time. Growing up, our stockings were stuffed with the essentials that kept everyone out of the drugstore: gum, lip balm, magazines, and more. Then one year, I asked my brother for a CVS Christmas gift card (IMHO, still one of my best requests). It might not be the most exciting gift to wake up to, but you bet it’ll be put to good use. I wouldn’t complain if it showed up in my socks again.
We moms are under tremendous pressure to outdo ourselves year after year. But here’s the low-hanging fruit: Make people aware of what worked before. In a sense, it’s more thoughtful than trying something new – you remember what they liked and want them to experience it again. There is nothing more satisfying than receiving the perfect gift, whether or not they have received it before.
Granted, it’s harder for kids. Every holiday brings a new, updated bucket list. So it’s understandable that this might be a late-in-life thing for them. (I can’t be the only one who remembers opening presents and moaning “Ugh, more clothes?!”) With other relatives to look after, I’m lucky enough to have more time to just browse for toys on Amazon, just Baby Jesus intentions.
So please feel free to join me in rededicating this holiday season. There’s really no need to reinvent the wheel. Give people what they want…even if it’s what you gave them last year.
When Meredith Begley isn’t practicing her drums or folding her sweatpants, she enjoys reading and writing about health and wellness. Find her on Instagram @meredithbegley.
