Last-Minute Gifting with Ashley
Gift shopping mania is hitting its peak as the countdown to Christmas comes to a close. It’s so easy to start throwing random things in your Amazon cart and calling it a day. But this year, we’re trying to go into it all with a different attitude. We call it the “present mindset” (pun intended) and it’s all about opting for gifts that mean something and, of course, are easy to stow. To get us all into the groove, we asked Ashley to share her top gifts and a few tips to help us all get through the season with minimal clutter and maximum joy.
Let’s start with your gifting philosophy. Do you think about how the gift recipient will use something in their home before you give it?
Absolutely. We’re constantly helping our organizing clients get rid of items they never use or never used. And the majority of those items are gifted. They sit in a closet or drawer somewhere collecting dust or taking up valuable real-estate in their home. I never “gift just to gift”. It has to be something I KNOW they will love and USE!
What are some gifts you’re giving this year?
My gifting go-to is to opt for experience with friends and family whenever possible. Hosting a wine tasting for my girlies in their PJs. Or, treating my dad to a father-daughter movie date night. Those types of things. My brother just got a new apartment and I gifted him our interior designer to help him pick out some fun artwork, furniture, and miscellaneous bits and pieces for organizing his new place. For me, it’s about gifts that will make an IMPACT and not just become MORE STUFF.
What’s on your gift list this year? Any fun family gifts?
Sean and I approach gift-giving differently than we did when we were dating or first married. We've learned that we like picking out our own gifts. It eliminates the surprise, but it also makes sure that we get exactly what we want. My family’s love language is quality time and so we’re planning a trip to Bend or Hood River this year. We’re also gifting ourselves this combo vacuum/mop. I know, I know. SO adult of us. But we’re both all about efficiency and this will save us an hour of cleaning on the weekend. Sean also picked out a battery-operated cordless blower and weed wacker. He got a battery-operated mower this summer and never looked back. Can you tell he's our landscaper?! Ha ha.
For the boys, it’s the same as always. A few things they’ll love that will support their learning and development. I also love gifts that they can enjoy together. Most importantly, they HAVE to be easy to store. Yes, I'm that mom that buys things based on how easily I can stow them away. No play kitchens here.
Last question, most of us like to pick up a gift or two for ourselves as we’re shopping around for others. Any quick tips?
For me, it’s all about intention. When you bring things into your home, you want them to serve your goals and your lifestyle. Ask yourself things like:
Do you have a home for this item?
Do you already own this item or a version of it?
Can this be purchased secondhand or thrifted?
How long do you see yourself using or wearing this? More than 5 years? Less than a year?
There’s not exact science to it all, but I am a big-believer in the one in, one out philosophy. So as you bring things into your space, consider what you can donate to keep it all in balance.