Hey, all! I was just thinking that this year, I’d like to change my approach to gift-giving throughout the seasons. After the hectic holiday rush of Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Lunar New Year—have I left anything out? I hope not! 😊
How might we acknowledge the intrinsic gifts the people in your life bring to you all year long? Is there a way to celebrate them in unusual ways? Whatever special qualities each person in my life brings, I am going to give them a gift that reflects what they mean to me. I am going to honor their presence with presents!
I don’t want to forget my mail carrier, IT consultant, gardener, newspaper deliverer, and other often overlooked but essential contributors to my well-being. My friend, Amy, who lives in a high-rise, gives her doormen holiday gifts. She also acknowledges her garage attendant and florist. Depending on where you live, your own list of recipients will vary.
Over the years, I’ve developed ways to customize otherwise conventional gifts. Some of these ideas are (and add your own):
- Frame a favorite quote that reminds you of the recipient
- Write a short, humorous poem expressing your appreciation for the person. That can be framed as well.
- Chronicle on designer stationery an event that you shared as a keepsake.
- Decorate a sweatshirt with iron-on letters or images symbolic of their interests. For example, our friend, Vicki, gave Carol, who loves elephants, a flannel shirt emblazoned with adorable pachyderms.
- Make a shadowbox containing miniatures of things that your friend enjoys.
- Create an album with photographs of places your friend has traveled.
- Purchase a book on a subject that they love; inscribe it with your sentiments about your friendship.
- From customized stationery shops wherever you go, collect beautiful greeting cards, designer scissors, and ribbons to have on hand whenever an occasion arises to use them. Consider giving unique wrapping paper as a gift.
- Send your friend tickets or vouchers to an event or restaurant along with a witty note.
- Purchase a gift card for something of interest to your friend or to a favorite restaurant. These can be found in many locations, including grocers.
By customizing gifts in these ways, you live your purpose, spread joy, and expand the warmth and feeling of connection to your recipients, It works both ways—by giving, you also receive.