Ever thrown a party and said No presents on the invite, only to have some people bring a present anyway?
For my most recent party I hatched an exciting new plan. I made bringing a present COMPULSORY for every guest!
BUT there was a rule: it had to be something that was NOT bought.
SPEND NO MONEY! I announced on the invitation.
To help things along, I gave some ideas, like plant cuttings from gardens, hand-picked posies, a poem or story, art and craft, even a song.
It was the biggest success I’d ever had. My loot-haul was massive! A hand-sewn Christmas decoration, a home-crocheted dishcloth, paintings, artwork, lists of jokes, music playlists, a hand-made book, baked goods, a bucket full of plant cuttings, plants in pots, seeds, plant labels, a big bunch of flowers, books chosen from home libraries.
A vision-impaired friend made me a picture of a birthday cake with Happy Birthday written across it in braille.
As people arrived, they lined up to give me my gift and explain why they had given it to me. I felt so loved and special, and people were grateful to give something that really meant something to them, that they had put energy into, that was different and unique and thoughtful. Everyone was so excited, and it was the best haul of presents I ever received.
It was personal, easy on the Earth, and set such a delightful and happy tone to the party. It was such a great idea!
Joni Page 