The Art of Zen Living

Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle,
And the life of the candle will not be shortened.
Happiness never decreases by being shared

A good friend of mine made the observation that I’d been a very difficult person to buy a gift for even before I started changing my attitude towards material things. It’s an excellent question - what DO you get someone that is living simply? I put together a list of suggestions.

1) Something they wouldn’t buy for themselves.

As an example, I would like to have a George Foreman “G5″ grill. I already have an old George Foreman Grill (one of the originals, in blue), and I’d love to have the removable plates to make cleaning it easier. I’d also like to be able to make waffles. At the end of the day, however, it only takes a minute longer to clean, and I can enjoy pancakes as much as I enjoy waffles, so this is not something I would buy for myself. This is a kind of expensive example, and the little things are just as good. For instance, if you were buying for Trent over at The Simple Dollar, I’d suggest buying the poor guy some decent socks…

2) Consumables!

Are they a coffee lover? I am - and while I budget enough to buy decent coffee, I don’t often treat myself to truly great coffee. A pound of Kona whole bean coffee or a gift pack from Boca Java would be a much appreciated gift. This principal can be applied to any food item - syrups, mustards, honey, and a variety of mixes - cake, bread, muffin, pancake etc.

3) Craft or hobby supplies.

This one may require a little research. Again, an example is that I’ve recently started baking my own bread, but I have a hard time justifying the purchase of anything beyond basic ingredients. It is not that I wouldn’t like to bake with organic whole wheat flour, or cracked rye flour, it’s that buying those sort of ingredients would seem an exuberance to me - which is why they’d make a great gift!

4) Event passes.

I have to credit my mother on this one. For the past few years, at Christmas, she’s given me passes to the local movie theater. I don’t go to the movies often, and even less now that prices are so insane, yet I do enjoy “the big screen”. When I have the passes, I’m far more likely to go see a movie when I have the time, and I always appreciate the thoughtfulness of the gift. Ask around and see if there are any organizations in your area that sell movie passes as a fund raiser. You can also order online.

5) “Earmarked” cash or Gift cards.

For whatever reason, cash is not always a socially acceptable gift in some societies, although that would really be the best way to go with something like this. I’ll give another personal example - I’d like to get the windows in my car tinted. I see that as a comfort issue, rather than a necessity, so I have a hard time justifying the expense. Keeping things simple, I’ve started setting “found money” aside. A cash gift, gift card or gift certificate from the shop I’ve chosen to do the tinting when I get it funded would make a great gift.

6) Your Time and expertise.

Are you good at something? I’ve spent a lot of years working with computers, so giving a certificate for a “PC Tune Up and Data Back Up!” is something that has no out of pocket cost for me, but a high value in the market. I have no fashion sense. My sister does - and in the past she’s given me a certificate that included a day of “fashion consultation”.

7) A month (or more!) of service.

Do they belong to Netflix or Gamefly? Or, for that matter, Boca Java? I don’t recommend giving a gift for something that will force them to remember to cancel, but a gift for something they already like? Great gift.

8) A donation that honors them.

My mom is a really smart lady. For Christmas last year, she made donations to World Vision that were appropriate to the person they were given for. Giving a gift to someone that loves to fish? Donate a fishing kit in their name. Know someone that loves to read? Donate a year of education for a child. Someone that loves to garden? Donate a share of a greenhouse. This was one of the most amazing gifts I’d ever received.

This kind of post is usually seen more around the holidays, but I give gifts all year long - birthdays, mother’s day, father’s day, anniversaries, graduations. When there is something to celebrate, it should be celebrated. I also like to remind myself that generosity is important, especially outside of the holiday season.