Let’s face it, the gift-giving season is a lot. A lot of time, money, stress, pressure, and a lot less fun that it could be! How many random Knick knacks do you need and what do you do with them? We have a solution! Stop buying your gifts altogether. Don’t panic! We know this may seem drastic, but we aren’t saying to go empty-handed or to not GIVE anything, we are saying, don’t buy anything! Make something! Yes, make something! Before you panic or roll your eyes that it’s too intimidating or that making gifts is only for “other people” trust we have done a full SWOT analysis on how to make the SWOP this season! This structured approach evaluates the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats associated with the potential no buy swap. Here’s how we can apply this framework in a festive context.
Strengths: You can get personal, creative, save money and create a memorable impact
When you make someone a gift you have the chance to make it personal! You can literally put their name on it if you want! This type of creativity is so important for personal expression and can be a very fulfilling process. Making your own products can also be extremely budget friendly, while offering both the giver and receiver a chance to create a lasting impact on each other. Sentimental value can’t be bought at the store. Or maybe you skip the gift, and take someone somewhere, or bring them lunch, offering them time! That’s something you can never buy and the memories always last!
Weaknesses: time constraints, skill level and variety
When you are making your own gifts, you must be realistic! How much time do you have and what are your skills? Now assume you have much less of both! You will be much more satisfied if you have extra time and a flawless product than never finishing or having a complete disaster on your hands. Think variety! Maybe you start with just one item, depending on your abilities and access to resources you may have a limited variety. Better to be good at one, than sloppy at a ton.
Opportunities: learn new skills, strengthen relationships and sustainability
Learning new skills is something that we should all be doing because it’s proven to help us live a longer life, however, it’s also fun! You still have a couple weeks to try your hand at baking, woodburning, painting, etc. Whether you learn your knew skill with a friend or you are giving your gift to a friend, a sentiment from the heart will foster a deeper connection. Maybe this is the gift, taking a class or learning something together! Making gifts can also be a way to use recycled materials and/or natural ingredients which sustain the health of the environment.
Threats: commercial competition, personal burnout, trends
You’re up against the box store items, and at first, you might feel like your gift isn’t as big of a hit, however, studies are showing that homemade gifts are hitting pretty hard! In fact, a report by the Center for Biological Diversity found that 56% of Americans are likely to give a secondhand gift (regift) and 68% are likely to make a handmade or DIY gift during the holiday season. This proves that homemade gifts are coming in hotter than a re-gift! People are much more likely to remember and value a personalized gift. However, trends change! A handmade cowl scarf that was “in,” 15 years ago may become a sock drawer filler if you aren’t careful! Look at trends! What’s cool now? Also, what is your energy budget? If you are losing time and energy, go simple! Don’t burnout before the man in the red suit comes.
If you took the time to analyze these factors through our SWOT lens, now you can make your own informed gift-giving decisions. Maybe this year you start with a small group and see how it goes. Start with your office gifts or just your cards! Use the SWOT analysis to help get yourself started and identify your own personal strengths in the gift-making world. It may also help to remember these famous words at this time of year, “It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled ’till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more,” from The Grinch That Stole Christmas. Even if the greedy green Grinch can be open to giving with intention from the heart, can’t you? Perhaps this is the year for a little bit more – make the SWAP WITH SWAT!