Alternative Ways to Gift + Give
Alternative Ways to Gift and Give This Christmas
We have curated a meaningful list of gifting ideas to inspire you to give something to the people in your life that is more thoughtful, sustainable, and impactful. We invite you to pause and avoid getting caught up in the typical busyness and consumerism of the holiday season. Take a breath. Reflect on how you want to give and live with intention this Christmas. Whether it’s a life-changing experience, a handcrafted treasure, or a meaningful moment spent together, here are some ideas to make your gift-giving more intentional this year:
Alternative Ways to Gift and Give This Christmas
We have curated a meaningful list of gifting ideas to inspire you to give something to the people in your life that is more thoughtful, sustainable, and impactful. We invite you to pause and avoid getting caught up in the typical busyness and consumerism of the holiday season. Take a breath. Reflect on how you want to give and live with intention this Christmas. Whether it’s a life-changing experience, a handcrafted treasure, or a meaningful moment spent together, here are some ideas to make your gift-giving more intentional this year:
Gift a Trip
Do you have a loved one—daughter, sister, spouse, friend—who dreams of exploring Morocco, India, or Portugal? Surprise them with the life-changing opportunity to join an Artist & Nomad tour in 2025! I have had several mother-daughter and sister duos on my tours, and I love that many of these trips were gifts from one to the other. While this certainly is a significant gift, it could also be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to show someone how special they are. If you'd like help picking the perfect journey, feel free to reach out — I’d love to guide you.
Shop with Impact
When purchasing new items, consider those that directly create jobs for their makers. Brands like MADE51, which partners with refugee artisans, or The Anou, offering direct trade of handmade rugs, are great options. The Anou model is pretty incredible and I always bring travelers to spend a few days with the artisans on my tours to Morocco. I also love all the brands under The Imani Collective, which was founded by my friend Jenny. Supporting fair trade or direct trade brands, especially those run by friends or acquaintances, can make a world of difference. As a former fair trade business owner, I know how deeply it’s appreciated when loved ones shop with purpose during the holidays.
Visit Local Christmas Markets
Holiday markets are a treasure trove of creativity and craftsmanship. By supporting local makers and artists, you not only find unique gifts but also enable them to keep thriving in their craft. Many artists and makers rely on these markets to sustain their livelihoods for the year. Let’s celebrate and support the talent in our communities.
Shop Antique and Thrift Stores
Unique treasures await in thrift shops—vintage books, records, art, and more. Some of my favorite gifts have been thrifted finds chosen thoughtfully by my kids. Thrift stores that support community charities make this an even better option if you’re on a budget.
Gift Experiences
Instead of a physical item, give the gift of learning or adventure: a workshop, cooking class, or even horseback riding lessons. My family once gifted me sewing classes; another year, we gave our daughter Mei Li cooking lessons—she’s now a lead pastry chef! Experiences can inspire passions that last a lifetime.
The Gift of Time
Sometimes, the most meaningful gift is your time. Plan a movie night, host a dinner, hike together, or visit a museum. Simple moments shared can mean so much to the people you love. The key to this one is including a special card or way to present the gift and then following up to schedule your special gift of time together.
Make Something Homemade
Homemade gifts—jams, cookies, spiced nuts, knitted scarves, or even handwritten cards—are deeply personal and heartfelt. Last year, living on a farm, I made marmalade and pies for the first time. I was rather surprised by how it all turned out and everyone loved it. Thoughtful notes that family or friends have given me over the years are keepsakes I always treasure. These notes have stayed with me through all our moves and relocations. Creativity and effort, no matter the result, make these gifts priceless.
Donate in Someone’s Honor
A donation to a cause close to your heart can be a powerful gift. Explain why the cause is meaningful to you and the recipient, and present it thoughtfully. You could support education for kids, sustainable income for families, or even sponsor an orphaned elephant.(See some suggestions below.) This year, we donated in honor of our family to give 45 teens living on the streets in Nairobi a special movie night with their advocates. It’s a gift of joy that ripples far beyond us.
Nonprofits that we think are doing some great things to make the world more beautiful and equitable for all!
To get you started on my last suggestion, here’s a list of some favorite nonprofits to consider supporting this holiday season with your gifting or end of year giving:
A Rocha: Faith-based conservation bringing hope around the world. I know the founder and absolutely love the work A Rocha is doing to be a faith-based voice in conservation and climate justice. Just amazing. There are lots of bases you can visit, join birding trips, and volunteer in community cleanup and rewilding programs. We loved visiting the base in the Algarve when we lived in Portugal.
Circlewood: A community committed to cultivating a more ecologically conscious faith. I love the conversations this organization offers through their Earthkeepers podcast. They are making a real difference with their restoration work and equipping others in faith-based climate justice. I highly recommend checking them out. My kids gifted me a donation in my honor to this organization for my birthday this year!
Tirzah: A network of global women leaders creating opportunities for women to overcome their circumstances, discover their potential, and lead others to do the same. I was the President of the organization for three years and know firsthand the incredible impact happening around the world through these dynamic global leaders.
Project Soar: Empowering girls to be leaders of today and tomorrow with scalable programs that help them understand their Value, Voice, Body, Rights, and Path. If you go to Morocco with me, you’ll get to spend a morning at one of the girls' clubs to witness firsthand the incredible ways this organization is making a difference—founded by a very dear friend!
NEEMA: Serving and equipping vulnerable young women in rural Kenya through skills training, counseling, and discipleship. I know the founder of this organization and love their grassroots efforts to empower women.
Sheldrick Trust: Global leaders in rescuing and rewilding orphaned African elephants and rhinos. (I have adopted many sweet elephants over the years and gifted adoptions to our son and my sister. I LOVE visiting the elephants on my tours to Kenya, which you can do if you join my next one in January 2026!)
Artisan Fund: ARTIST & NOMAD offers support to artisan communities around the world in an effort to help locally led cooperatives and artisan businesses thrive. We come alongside artisan leaders to support their dreams and visions to grow their businesses, preserve traditional crafts, and thrive through sustainable, direct trade opportunities. As I type this blog, I am in Kenya supporting artisans with consulting on their local store, pop-ups, and entering the international market because of donations to this fund!
This season, let your gifts tell a story of care, compassion, and connection. Whether you’re giving an unforgettable experience, supporting artisans, or simply sharing your time, each thoughtful choice has the power to make a lasting impact. I hope this approach to holiday gifting has a deep impact on your overall experience of the season as well. Wishing you and your loved ones a very blessed, meaningful, and joyful holiday season.