By Mia Redrick, The Mom Strategist
A New York Times survey found that 4 out of 5 Americans think that the holidays are too materialistic. There is something to be said for that with corporations as well as small businesses relying on the end-of-year boost to get them through the next year and of course there’s the pervasive, relentless advertising. However, the act of gift giving has been widely studied by psychologists, anthropologists, and sociologists and the running theme is that the act of giving gifts is often more rewarding than receiving one. Here are 5 gift ideas designed to make a positive impact on the recipient as well as give you the spiritual replenishment you might be so sorely looking for as the holidays wear on.
Something hand-made: often, our most valuable asset is time. A hand-made gift not only contains the value of your time but is also of deep sentimental value to the recipient. You might even find that the time spent crafting a gift for someone special in your life can be therapeutic, something that allows you focus your energies on the task at hand rather than the endless pressures of the holiday season.
Something old: this can include a family heirloom or an antique. These types of gifts require a certain amount of searching, consideration, and a sense of aesthetics. They can have a lot of meaning to both the giver and the receiver. Finding the perfect gift with a history is a unique, positive feeling and receivers have a truly one-of-a-kind present that has a back-story and a connection to someone in their life—you.
An experience: this might be taking your friend to a play or your mother to a classical concert or your young child to a theme park. This gives you and the recipient of your gift an experience and a memory to share. Also, it might be something you enjoy as well.
Time: maybe your husband wants to watch the football game or your friend wants to go on a date and needs a babysitter. Your contribution to their happiness in a time of need can be rewarding for both parties involved. Everybody is busy these days and any break is often greatly appreciated, even more so than a tangible gift.
Exactly what they want: your husband and your kids will probably waste no time in telling you precisely what they want for their holiday gift. In many cases, giving your husband a hand-made birdhouse instead of the DVD set he asked for probably won’t go over well. They’ll be happy and you don’t have to spend any time wondering what to get them.
The holidays are materialistic and every year, people and organizations try to remind us “what the holidays are all about.” It’s about spending time with the one’s you love and making them happy with heart-felt and sincere gift-giving. There are just a few ideas as to how to make that process a bit easier. Happy holidays!
Mia Redrick, Mom Strategist is a mom of three, author and speaker empowering one million mothers to practice better self-care. Redrick is the author of Time for mom-Me: 5 Essential Strategies for A Mother’s Self-Care. For tips from The Mom Strategist visit www.findingdefinitions.com.
