Giving meaningful gifts doesn't have to cost a fortune or take forever. If you are one of those people who shops all year and can at this point say, "I've completed my holiday shopping", I salute you. For those of us who wait, keep reading.
Last week we created a calendar for all of our holiday events and made mini-plans to stay on track. This week, we create a list of the people we want to acknowledge in some way.
So get out your notebook and start the list. For now, don't worry about what comes next, just make the list. Co-workers, teachers or students, friends, family, your mail carrier, write them all down.
Got it?
With this list, take a hi-liter or in some way mark next to the names of people you simply want to acknowledge. This may actually be most of your list.
Look at the names left. These are the people you definitely want to give a gift. Mark these with a different color hi-liter or symbol.
More than likely these are family members and close friends.
If this hasn't taken care of your list, the rest of your names probably fit in the "acknowledge-but-you-may-feel-obligated-to-give-a-gift" group. Leave them there for now.
Now is the perfect time to look for holiday cards. They haven't been picked over too badly, and if mailing them, they'll arrive in plenty of time. Include everyone on your list and add 5-10 more for those people you initially forgot. Of course if you are the creative type, you may want to create a note or card yourself, include a favorite picture, or, if really industrious, type out one of those "Our family this year" newsletters. Whatever you choose, let it reflect your personality and intentions.
I used to mail Christmas cards to a list of over 100 people. I burned myself out with trying to personalize messages to people I hardly knew. I don't recommend this. Keep it simple.
A gift, by definition, is "something given voluntarily without payment in return, as to show favor, honor an occasion or make gesture of assistance." ~ Dictionary.com Don't let giving become a burden.
With this thought in mind, go back to your list and move any remaining names to the "acknowledge" or "gift" group
For those you want to give something additional, decide on a budget and stick to it. Remember, the gifts that we treasure have special meaning or trigger shared experience. Creativity can add value to the gift without increasing the cost.
For each person on your priority list, take 5-10 minutes to reflect on your shared experiences. This could be a time during the past month, or year, or it may have happened years ago. Put yourself fully in that moment and jot down your thoughts and feelings:
- sensory awareness: colors, sounds, smells, images
- music playing during that time
- sum it up in a word or phrase, maybe something you said at the time that conjures that memory
- did the memory happen in a favorite city or restaurant?
- What is one word to describe this person?
- Do you have a photo you can share?
Now you get to use your creative ability to re-create the emotion of this shared experience. This could be as simple as a gift card to that favorite restaurant, or as elaborate as a painting you create to mark the occasion. Let your imagination and your heart guide you. And for those of you who say, "I'm not creative", I'm not buying it. If you take the time to reflect on the receiver, who they are to you, what their presence in your life means to you, you cannot go wrong.
These gifts take more effort on your part because these people touch you in a way that adds richness and fullness to your life.
And the best part of giving in this way is the re-remembering of the special people and moments...a gift that gives back to you as it is given.
Join me next week for tips on travel during the holidays...
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