Whether you give a gift of your own time, or buy a service gift from a Portland business, gifts of service can be a great way to show you care without breaking the bank.

Betsy holds a picture of her family, who also benefit from a family gift exchange and her gifts of service.

Betsy holds a picture of her family, who also benefit from a family gift exchange and her gifts of service.

Try a gift exchange

As Pam’s family started growing, holidays were becoming more expensive and stressful. So rather than buying for 12 or more people in her extended family, they began a gift exchange. Each family member gives and receives just one extra-special gift, and encourage homemade creations or gifts of service, like house cleaning, kitchen organization or babysitting. Holidays are now less expensive and a lot more fun.

Make it personal

As a massage therapist, Betsy knows some individual pampering is a good thing. She has given the gift of massage for many years. She even makes gift cards for her family and friends, who look forward to opening her gifts year after year. She has even begun to get requests from younger members of her family rather than gifts of the latest toy or gadget!

Looking for other ways to offer a gift of service?

Resourceful PDX partner, Chinook Book, has gift ideas based on the book’s categories, including service-oriented businesses under Wellness and Home and Garden. Coupons on your phone or in the book include local spas for massage, fitness and healing centers, yoga studios and offers for house cleaning services.


Find gift ideas for other hard-to-buy-for people in your life in our resourceful holiday series. #holiday