Go to Main Content

Advertisement

By Adam McDowell on December 1, 2015
Estimated reading time: 1 minute

The quest for the perfect gift

By Adam McDowell on December 1, 2015
Estimated reading time: 1 minute

Buy actual presents while feeling as if you've done something worthwhile

Advertisement

Some of us occasionally fall into a fantasy about a holiday season without consumerism. If the children in the family are old enough, the holidays could involve travel instead of presents. Or, you might actually succeed at implementing a gift exchange made up entirely of handmade items. But it’s likely that we’ll eventually go back to buying stuff. Goods. Things to unwrap, with the hope of earning satisfying gasps of delight. So how do you buy actual presents yet still emerge from the holidays feeling as if you’ve done something worthwhile? The trick is not to spend a lot of money because the best gifts are virtuous in some way: They support causes worth supporting, or encourage the best parts of the gift receiver’s self. Give presents that fit into at least one of three categories: presents that fulfill a need the person didn’t even know they had, those that last the rest of the recipient’s life, or gifts that give back—not only to the giftee but to the world at large. Here are a few to get you started.

Comments Cancel reply

Related Articles

People walking at a Canadian airport, as talk about passenger rights changes are a buzz.

Changes to flight passenger rights in Canada

New rules clarify when travellers are compensated for flight disruptions.

Changes to flight passenger rights in Canada

A car steering wheel and a bowl of pasta, as symbols of how to get the best auto loan interest rate.

Car loan interest rates: What’s the best Canadians can get?

Car loan interest rates can be as confusing as a complicated recipe, and just as daunting to navigate. This...

Car loan interest rates: What’s the best Canadians can get?

Newcomer to Canada buying their first car at the dealership asking questions of the sales person about getting a car loan.

Newcomers to Canada

Auto loans for newcomers—questions to ask when buying your first car in Canada

Buying your first car in Canada is like any other major purchase. Ask a lot of questions, not just...

Auto loans for newcomers—questions to ask when buying your first car in Canada

A woman pumps gas into her sedan

What is the Canada Carbon Rebate? Plus, dates and amounts for 2025 rebates

The Canadian government is sending out the last carbon rebate of 2024. See who’s eligible and how much you...

What is the Canada Carbon Rebate? Plus, dates and amounts for 2025 rebates

A woman gives another woman a wrapped holiday gift

Cash Allocation

Planning holiday spending and cash gifts? Here’s how to boost your budget

Planning holiday spending and cash gifts? Here’s how to boost your budget

A collage of screenshots of money movies from streaming platforms

25 money movies (that actually stream in Canada)

As part of MoneySense’s 25th-anniversary celebrations, we’ve rounded up 25 notable and highly entertaining financial flicks. Grab the popcorn!

25 money movies (that actually stream in Canada)

A Canadian woman at home, looking at her loan options online, including secured vs unsecured loans.

Secured loans vs. unsecured personal loans: Which should Canadians get?

Before taking out a loan, learn the differences between these two types, which has better interest rates, and which...

Secured loans vs. unsecured personal loans: Which should Canadians get?

Canadians turn domestic for holiday travel

A weak loonie is discouraging U.S. trips, as extra flight capacity north of the border pushes domestic prices down....

Canadians turn domestic for holiday travel

Shoppers on Sainte-Catherine Street in Montreal on Black Friday

What’s included in Canada’s GST holiday—and how not to overspend

The temporary tax break will save Canadians money, but financial experts caution shoppers to do the math and avoid...

What’s included in Canada’s GST holiday—and how not to overspend

Food inflation: Canadians to spend $801 more on food in 2025

Food prices are likely to increase by 3% to 5% in 2025, but wild cards like climate change and...

Food inflation: Canadians to spend $801 more on food in 2025