Give The Gift of Non-Stuff

You know what I really kind of hate? Stuff. Sitting there, requiring dusting, storage, packing when I move. Getting rid of unwanted, unbeautiful things is practically a hobby of mine. Do you still want that gold unicorn figurine? Because I really want to donate it to Goodwill so I don't have to look at it anymore.

And Christmas is the season of stuff. We all receive mountains of random crap from those ridiculous office Secret Santas and shirt-tail relatives and well-intentioned others. A framed dogs-playing-poker print for the art snob! Cheese and meat collections for the vegetarian! Jingly, jangly earrings for the un-pierced!

So let's save ourselves some embarrassment, a bit of wrapping paper and a trip to the returns counter and give the lovelies in our lives some non-stuff...you know-consumable, usable, non-permanent things. Here are some of my favorite non-stuffs to give:

• Magazine subscriptions. Wicked cheap and they'll think of you every month when they find this treasure in their mailbox. I really like Readymade, Bust and Mentalfloss.
• Tickets to events. Plays! Boxing matches! Comedy nights! Maybe if you're really nice, they'll even take you.
• Memberships to something. I'm keen on the gym or the local CSA, if you're really rolling in it you could get Dad a membership at the golf course.
• Spa treatments. Because your mum really needs a massage but she's much more likely to spend her money on your little sister's braces.
• Time with a psychic. I got this for the BFF's wedding present and she loved it. I, on the other hand, ended up with a woman who drew her own tarot cards on 8x11 office paper and channelled her dead Siamese cat. For real.
• Lessons, of the exciting type. Ethnic cooking, salsa dancing, airplane flying, downhill skiing, all good options.
• Exotic plants. Those tiny pepper plants are fantastic and who wouldn't love to have a Venus fly trap on their desk at work?
• A visit from you. Kind of a cop out, kind of awesome. Possibly most appreciated by grandparents and mothers who have yet to cut the proverbial apron strings.
• Vouchers for a hotel stay. Give your mum and dad the gift of not having to pick up after themselves.
• Vouchers for a cleaning service. I'm just sayin.'
• Specialty food from a place where they've traveled. Wicked hummus, Tim Tams or Sake for those who have been nice. Pickled herring and thousand-year-old eggs for those who have been naughty.
• Have a star named after them. Cheesy? Yes. Awesome? Yes.
• A carriage or limo ride. In the event that naming a star after someone is too subtle for you.
• Lotto tickets. Do not include a note about splitting any winnings, okay Scrooge?

What non-stuff gifts do you like?