Christmas gift alternatives

[00:00.39] It's that time of year when many of us spend money buying gifts for family and friends.

[00:06.24] We spend hours, even days, searching the shops and websites trying to find the right present for someone - a pair of socks, perfume, a new gadget – only to find the recipient already has it or they've been given it already.

[00:20.85] Or worse, they just don't like it, which makes me think, "Are we wasting our time and money?"

[00:28.82] There is so much stuff in the world already and so much waste that maybe when it comes to Christmas giving, we need to think outside the box – use our imagination and be more creative with our generosity.

[00:42.10] This is particularly true for children, who tend to receive mountains of toys some of which end up not even being looked at.

[00:50.33] One idea is to implement a 'one-gift' rule so that children don't grow up spoiled.

[00:57.24] Getting too many gifts can also send out the wrong message. Speaking to BBC online, clinical psychologist Linda Blair says, "When we are given a lot, we expect to receive a lot… even if it's only at Christmas and on birthdays, it will impact on children's attitudes."

[01:16.10] She also suggests, "If you want to give a gift, give your time".

[01:21.68] She makes a good point - for children and adults alike, when it comes to giving, think about offering something other than a material object that may get forgotten, discarded or re-gifted.

[01:33.89] Buying an experience is one alternative - a chance for someone to try something out and do something different.

[01:40.80] It will cost you money, but for the recipient it could be an opportunity to try something they could not normally afford or would not have thought about doing.

[01:50.63] It would therefore be memorable and, hopefully, much appreciated.

[01:56.21] Another practical gift could be to buy someone lessons, giving them a chance to learn new skills such as horse riding or learning English.

[02:05.50] And there are what are called 'favours' – money-can't-buy offerings to do jobs for someone like babysitting, cleaning or giving someone a massage.

[02:15.33] And there is always the fallback of giving vouchers to spend in a shop.

[02:20.91] Of course, if you can't think of an original way to give a gift, the alternative is to not buy anything at all.

[02:28.61] You may be accused of being a 'Scrooge' but at least you're not wasting money on pointless gifts and you could give the money to charity instead – a more worthy cause.

[02:40.03] But if this year, you receive a present that's not to your liking don't be ungrateful and remember the age-old saying that 'it's the thought that counts'.