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How To Make Christmas Gift Giving a Downsizing Adventure
From:
Gail Rubin, The Doyenne of Death, Funeral Expert Gail Rubin, The Doyenne of Death, Funeral Expert
Albuquerque, NM
Thursday, November 3, 2016


Gail Rubin, CT, The Doyenne of Death®
 
Video Clip: Click to Watch

Holiday Gift WrapThis Christmas, avoid the clutter of unwanted items and make holiday gift giving an opportunity to downsize.

"The chaos and clutter of holiday gift giving is stress-inducing," said Gail Rubin, CT, author of KICKING THE BUCKET LIST: 100 Downsizing and Organizing Things to Do Before You Die. "Yes, it is possible to use the holidays to downsize and start meaningful conversations when the family gatherings start at Thanksgiving."

Rubin offers these seven tips to make your holiday gift giving an adventure in downsizing:

  • Prior to Thanksgiving, tell your friends and relatives that you'd like experiences or consumables for holiday gifts - and let them know that's what you'll be giving them.
  • Also before Thanksgiving, donate your excess gift wrap, bows and unwanted Christmas decorations to a charity that can use them for those in need or for fundraising.
  • Put unused fabric such as sheets, pillowcases, tablecloths, napkins, bandanas, handkerchiefs and decorative towels to work as gift wrap, instead of paper.
  • Repurpose boxes, baskets, tins, jars, vases and bowls as gift containers for consumables.
  • Give heirloom items to family members while you can still tell the stories behind those objects.
  • Downsize and distribute family photographs by having a scrapbook session with family members and tell the family stories that the photos document. Feel free to toss photos that are blurred or unremarkable.
  • Give copies of KICKING THE BUCKET LIST: 100 Downsizing and Organizing Things to Do Before You Die along with a home-made coupon for your time as a downsizing assistant.

Gail Rubin has dozens of other creative clutter clearing ideas that can help you keep calm during a hectic holiday season. She is available for interviews by calling 505.265.7215.

Rubin speaks about ideas in KICKING THE BUCKET LIST in this video recorded at Bookworks independent bookstore in Albuquerque, NM (recorded October 30, 2016).

Gail Rubin, CT, is author and host of the award-winning book and television series, A Good Goodbye: Funeral Planning for Those Who Don’t Plan to Die, Hail and Farewell: Cremation Ceremonies, Templates and Tips, and KICKING THE BUCKET LIST: 100 Downsizing and Organizing Things to Do Before You Die.

Rubin is a Certified Thanatologist (that's a death educator) and a popular speaker who uses humor and films to get the end-of-life and funeral planning conversation started. She "knocked 'em dead" with her TEDx talk, A Good Goodbye. She provides continuing education credit classes for attorneys, doctors, nurses, social workers, hospice workers, financial planners, funeral directors and other professionals. She's a Certified Funeral Celebrant and funeral planning consultant who has been interviewed in national and local print, broadcast and online media.

Known as The Doyenne of Death®, she also hosts A Good Goodbye Internet radio show and produces Mortality Minute radio and online video spots.

Rubin is a member of the Association for Death Education and Counseling, the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association, Toastmasters International and the National Speakers Association New Mexico Chapter. Her speaking profile is available at eSpeakers.com.

Gail Rubin has been interviewed about funeral planning issues in national and local broadcast, print and online media. Outlets include The Huffington Post, Money Magazine, Kiplinger, CBS Radio News, WGN-TV,  and local affiliates for NPR, PBS, FOX, ABC-TV, CBS-TV and NBC-TV.

Sign up for a free planning form and occasional informative newsletter at her website, AGoodGoodbye.com.

News Media Interview Contact
Name: Gail Rubin
Group: A Good Goodbye
Dateline: Albuquerque, NM United States
Direct Phone: 505-265-7215
Cell Phone: 505-363-7514
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