“We Have More Than We Need” An Alternative Holiday Gift Guide from Afrominimalist

In the upcoming episode of Articulating, An Independent School Podcast, Sam and Gina welcomed Christine Platt, the Afrominimalist. We couldn’t help but ask her some of her favorite Gifts for he Holiday season from an Afrominimalist Perspective. As Holiday Shopping reaches it’s fever pitch, here’s what she suggested - we’re honored to share her wisdom, creativity, and innovations with the RIISE Community.

1. Disappearing Gifts

From Christine: “First of all, the gift giving. I think one of the most beautiful ways that you can gift while being intentional and also sustainable is what I like to call disappearing gifts. Right? Can the gift disappear? Example of a disappearing gift could be a bar of soap. It could be incense.”

Disappearing Gifts are gifts that are consumed or used, leaving no clutter behind:

• Luxurious soaps or bath bombs

• Incense or candles

• Meals or food deliveries (great for new parents or families!)

2. Empathy-Driven Gifts for Kids

From Christine: “And then with our young people, I think there's so many beautiful ways to be creative, and they love giving. They are still at this age and at this space where their empathy is at an all time high. And I think holidays is the time for us to really nurture that, continue to nurture that, and support their just innate love for being empathetic, especially for other children, right? And that could be, you know, if you live in a cold state, it's a winter coat drive, right?

Encourage children to give back and nurture their innate empathy:

• Organize a coat drive for children in cold climates

• Collect backpacks for back-to-school donations

• Instruct your Holiday Guests to bring one canned good or food donation to create a community food drive.

3. Gifts for Global Impact

From Christine: “Heifer International - you can go on the website with your kids. They can buy a cow or goats or chickens or all these different things to help communities in other countries. They get to know how many people it's going to feed and what it's got. It's just there's so many beautiful ways to give back to to really inspire and motivate your children to be lifelong, caring and compassionate global citizens, which is, I think, what we all want when we send our children to independent schools?”

Support communities worldwide while teaching children about global citizenship:

• Partner with organizations like Heifer International

  • Buy animals such as cows, goats, or chickens to support families in need

  • Let kids learn how their contribution helps feed communities

4. Gifts That Encourage Gratitude and Empathy

From Christine: “So many beautiful, creative ways that I think independent schools and classrooms and parents can can give back during the season that I think it’s important to really lay the foundation of making sure your children remain empathetic, that they understand how blessed and fortunate they are, and that the real gift is being able to give back.”

• Personalized thank-you cards for donors or volunteers

• Opportunities for children to meet and interact with community helpers (e.g., food pantry staff)

As we approach the holiday season, let’s shift the focus from exchanging gifts to coming together as families and communities to give to others. Whether it’s organizing a donation drive, supporting global initiatives, or simply reflecting on how much we already have, the holidays offer a chance to be intentional and mindful in our giving. Let’s embrace this opportunity to teach our children—and remind ourselves—that true abundance lies in the act of sharing our blessings with those who need it most.

Happy Holidays,

Gina

Christine Platt - Photographed by Dayo Kosoko

Christine Platt is the bestselling author of The Afrominimalist’s Guide to Living With Less and a lifestyle expert who helps individuals and organizations embrace intentional living. An advocate whose work centers on honoring Black voices and lived experiences—past, present, and future, Christine’s work blends cultural storytelling with actionable strategies. Her work is for people of all races and nationalities, while simultaneously addressing the unique challenges and complexities of the African diaspora.

Christine earned her B.A. in Africana Studies from the University of South Florida, an M.A. in African and African American Studies from The Ohio State University, and a J.D. from Stetson University College of Law. She currently resides in Washington, DC where she enjoys a life free from overconsumption and overwhelm.