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6 Tips For Meaningful Gift Giving

In this season of gifting, it’s a wonderful time to foster the love of giving. Sincerity is the quality of being free from pretense, deceit, or hypocrisy and is always a good place to start from. We give gifts for lots of reasons such as, to strengthen relationships, connect with others on an emotional level, and sacrifice in order to show we care. We give gifts to celebrate, to stay in touch, to say we’re sorry, as rewards for accomplishments, and sometimes just because. In each case, something stirs within us. We, the givers of the gift, are often the receivers of self-gratification, happiness, and appreciation.

Like the Grinch whose “small heart grew 3 sizes” knew that “Christmas doesn’t come from a store.” Christmas “came without ribbons, it came without tags, it came without packages, boxes or bags.” He realized this when the Whos down in Whoville sang glad songs, gathered together in peace and unity, and celebrated knowing each other. Giving doesn’t always mean we have to spend more than we can afford, go into debt, or prove our love by how much we spend. What is most important is giving a gift that matters to the other person.

 6 Tips For Meaningful Gift Giving

 

Give away a talent you have- free guitar lessons, bread baking lessons, art instruction, car repairs, haircuts, babysitting, etc.

Give to a charity- that means something to the receiver. If they want to improve the world they live in, donate to the Responsibility Foundation. If breast cancer has affected their family, consider giving to the Susan G. Komen organization.

Add to their collection- If the receiver enjoys the work of a particular sculptor, consider adding a new piece of art to their collection. Wink, wink.

Give experiences rather than things- tickets to a concert, musical or theater, season passes to a water park or ski resort, zoo passes, movie passes, museum memberships, zip-lining, or a hot air balloon ride. Consider lessons for something you know that interests them such as: flying, skydiving, surfing, race car driving, scuba diving, sewing, playing an instrument, ice skating, horseback riding, learning a language, or art lessons. Be sure you give something they are interested in. There’s nothing worse than gifting scuba lessons to someone who is afraid of sharks!

Give the gift of yourself- surprise a loved one by showing up unexpectedly. To lessen the burden of an unexpected visitor, be sure to book a hotel room in advance or arrange to stay at a friend or relatives house.

Give away a meaningful family heirloom- gift something meaningful that has a personal story attached to it.

“For it is in giving that we receive.” St. Francis of Assisi