Four Ways to Give of Yourself This Holiday Season
Every year, I seem to go through the same challenge – buying unique, thoughtful, and not excessively expensive gifts for those I love. I’m fortunate that my list is not that long, as my family is small. But each of us is getting to the point where the “stuff” is no longer appreciated; in fact, we are trying to get rid of it rather than acquire it!
So that got me thinking……..
Instead of buying “things,” why not try something completely different?
Why not give of ourselves?
It’s time to get creative and inventive and relinquish the idea that something in a box with a bright red bow is a gift of your heart.
GIVE YOUR TIME
It may sound trite, but our time is very valuable these days as we are finding we have less and less of it. Way too much to do, too little time. So, giving our time to our friends and family can be an exquisite gift. Here are some suggestions for our time.
One night (or afternoon) per month for 12 months of babysitting duty so your sister/brother/best friend/ can go out and have some much-needed downtime. (Redeemable with adequate advance notice!)
One full day of help with anything the other person may need help with. Organizing closets? Shlepping stuff to Goodwill? Cleaning out the attic? Setting up a garage sale? Create a card with a fill-in-the-blank or checklist so the recipient can choose.
Pet sitting, house sitting, or caring for the fish while someone is away can mean the difference between a kennel that costs more than the vacation and being able actually to get away. Give a family member or friend the gift of your time by making their time even more stress-free.
You get the idea – be creative in offering your time.
Make a beautiful card to describe the gift of your time, make a checklist of your offerings, or let the other person know they can redeem your gift anytime!
GIVE YOURSELF
Our time is valuable, but our Self is even more so. These gifts should embrace the idea of creating something special for someone that no one else would think to make. The effort and love that goes into these kinds of gifts is truly priceless.
Create a book of your favorite quotes, poems, or prayers, with images found in magazines or on the web – using either a blank art book found at a craft store or something fancier.
Make a photo album of a particular trip you took together with personalized comments for each image.
Create a framed collage of all the plays, movies, or sports events you have seen together.
If you have a green thumb, there is nothing nicer than putting together a window box filled with herbs that will grow all year.
GIVE YOUR GIFT
Whether you have a gift of being able to play an instrument or create a painting out of thin air, give your gift as a gift. There are so many organizations that are in need of volunteers to help them in their work of serving others.
Teach someone how to play an instrument.
Teach someone how to read – this gift will last a lifetime! (Literacy organizations, the Library, etc.)
Sign up to cook meals for families with children who are seriously ill. (usually through church organizations.)
Use your skills for Habitat for Humanity, the Red Cross, or any other entity that serves others.
GIVE FREELY
I am a serious advocate of Intentional Acts of Compassion as opposed to Random Acts of Kindness. Think about it. When we are intentional, we have a purpose, an objective – in which we can give our heart to someone else.
If you were to begin incorporating intentional acts of compassion into your life every day for 40 days, I can guarantee that something quite magical would take place in your life. I mentioned this in my e-book Five Fundamental Ways Spirituality Heals the Brain – when we engage in positive actions for others, our hearts and our minds expand!
May the holy days to come be filled with our reverence for the Divine.
May we choose to relinquish that which no longer serves us,
and embrace that which will make us a better version of ourselves.
May we remember to give thanks for every blessing we have received.
May the closing of this year be welcomed with reflection
Upon those things we have accomplished with Grace
And those yet to be completed.
May we remember each day to see through the eyes of the Divine.
