Special offer

Avoid the Gift Giving Grenade!

By
Home Stager with Creative Concepts-Home Staging and Contracting, Salem Oregon CCB #180695

You’ve all had these type of bombs drop into your hands. Santa Baby - no clutter please!

  • Gifts you didn’t need
  • didn’t want
  • Clothes that were wrong/ill fitting/etc
  • Perfume that smelled like it was from the 80′s
  • “Special” decorating items – (where should I hang this Big Mouth Billing the Singing Bass?)

You’ve probably given a few of these gifts too.

Like the plate of goodies to the diabetic, wine to the neighbor who is going to AA, or stuff that simply clutters up peoples lives.

We give gifts to make others feel special, they keep it because it was from someone special . . . no wonder most of us bemoan of too much “stuff”!

We hate clutter and while those slippers might be adorable – I already have three pairs – please don’t buy them for me!

Now I’m no grinch and love to give — but want to give something they will love — long after the gift wrap is tossed!

Here’s some quick, easy and no-clutter gifts ideas!

  • prepaid car wash card
  • tickets to an event – a movie, concert, dinner theatre, comedy show
  • Specialty things they can use up and don’t normally splurge for – specialty teas, coffees, wines
  • Donation to a local charity in their name
  • Gift certificate for a massage, manicure, pedicure
  • Organizing services – who doesn’t want to start 2011 with a fresh start?

Of course these are  my top favorites!  We have lots of clients booking these home improving services with us for 2011 — What a fun way to start the year with a fresh clean house, or a room that looks all new (with things you already own)!

The gift of cleaning (one time special cleaning or on a regular service) – sparkling clean with no sweat is DIVINE!

Interior Redesign Home Makeover – Make a home or room a tv star!  Create a fresh look for a room or the entire house using your existing furnishings and decor.  What a great idea to get a fresh start on 2011!

Color & Paint Consultations - Painting a room provides a huge impact for low dollar – if it is the perfect color! Paint it the right color the first time!

Make sure your gifts are loved far into 2011 and not tossed out with the fruitcake!  For more of  services click here. We also work with top notch contractors and service providers so love to give you referrals to experts you can trust!

Margaret Oscilia is a Professional Home Stager serving Salem Oregon and surround areas who specializing in helping home sellers maximize their equity when preparing to sell.


 

Posted by

Moving or improving?  Creative Concepts-Home Staging and Contracting has the expertise to showcase your home's full potential, stretch your budget, and maximize your time. 

Professional Home Staging - Reliable Contractor Repairs - Beautiful Results!

  View our website  See our YouTube Videos  Connect with us on facebook!  Subscribe to our blog

Allison Stewart
St.Cloud Homes - Saint Cloud, FL
St. Cloud Fl Realtor, Osceola County Real Estate 407-616-9904

Hi Margaret-

I really like some of your ideas.  Who would not love having their home cleaned or a night out at the movies?  Great ideas for family members too. What do you give someone who has "everything" a massage sounds lovely...

Thanks for sharing some of these great ideas- Happy Holidays!

Dec 17, 2010 01:44 AM
Bob Jakowinicz
National Realty Centers Livonia--Bob Jakowinicz - Livonia, MI
Michigan Real Estate Agent-- MI Real Adventures

Lol, so many kids and friends seem to have all they want or need really makes it difficult to find the right gift.  I could see how a bunch of things someone doesn't need or want could end up as needless clutter in their house.

Dec 17, 2010 01:59 AM
Margaret Oscilia
Creative Concepts-Home Staging and Contracting, Salem Oregon - Salem, OR
Home Stager, Salem Oregon

You're so right!  The best gift my hubby ever gave me was a house cleaning service twice a month for a year . . . of course we kept it going after that because it was heavenly to come home to a clean house that I didn't have to do!  Merry Christmas!

Hi Bob - We've given our kiddos a certificate for a white water rafting trip, an art class, a rock climbing expedition and more -- experiences/classes/events -- not more stuff works when they seem to have everything!

Dec 17, 2010 03:21 AM
Alexsandra Stewart
Remax equity group - Portland, OR
Broker - Portland Oregon Real Estate

Margaret - nice ideas to avoid adding to the clutter! And that are truly useful and worthwhile.  Happy holidays to you!

Dec 21, 2010 04:52 AM
Joshua Zargari
MJ Decorators Workshop LI staging and home decorating - Lynbrook, NY
MJ Decorators Workshop

Great ideas!

Dec 22, 2010 02:17 AM