Gift-giving season is here again, and once more I sit down at the computer to compose a holiday message about staying ahead of clutter when giving gifts. This time last year, I offered my first gift-giving guide focused on how not to contribute to the clutter of your loved ones. I stand by those suggestions, and I invite you to read the article online if you missed it in 2007.

This year’s recession news is a surprising silent partner in my campaign against clutter. It’s a lot easier to sell the idea of clutter-conscious gift giving when so many of us are feeling the pinch of an economy in turmoil. But although I’m grateful for any help I can get in raising clutter consciousness, I don’t want to push people to change just because they feel panicky about money. Conscientious giving shouldn’t have to be a painful discipline to regain control—an unreasonable fiscal “diet.” (Some of us know too well that diets fail unless they’re sensible and sustainable.) Clutter-conscious …[Read more]

Now that the holiday season has arrived again, I am in my usual gift-giving dilemma. As The Clutter Fairy, I feel a responsibility not to add to people’s clutter when I give gifts. I can’t very well preach lightening up and letting go of stuff in your home or office, only to turn around and add one more item to your collection! So as a gift to you, I’m offering some non-clutter-promoting gift ideas as alternatives for you this year.

I know there are times when giving material things is called for. My little five-year-old niece and nine-year-old nephew are too young to understand a gift certificate, and that means sometimes …[Read more]