Meaningful Ways to Give
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Do you feel ‘wrapped up’ in all the shopping, preparing, cooking and gift giving this season? Perhaps you want to give gifts and have experiences that are extra meaningful this year. Check out the ideas below featuring ways to make this season a little more meaningful and bright for you and those around you.
- Gifts that give back. Some organizations, like Samaritan’s Purse, have catalogs where you can purchase a cow for a family in need in a third-world country. What’s great is that you can give it in someone else’s name as a gift. Of course, the person’s name you are giving for should be someone that would appreciate this kind of gift and value its meaning. Another bonus: prices to help the needy start at $6, so your giving matters no matter how small or large the sum.
- Sometimes experiences are worth more than actual objects. Depending on the person you are buying for, consider a fun experience catered to their likes. Make a meal with their favorite dishes, take them to a show, surprise them with a night out (with babysitter already booked!), pamper them, do something out of the ordinary as long is it’s something they typically enjoy. The purpose of this gift is to make the recipient feel special.
- Kitchen time! Make a nice gesture this holiday by baking large batches of cookies, roasting nuts with a sweet and salty spice mixture, or making homemade caramels; then, fill cute mason jars with these goods to spread the cheer. This is affordable and would simply take an afternoon of prep work. Your friends and family will recognize and appreciate your hard work in making a special treat just for them.
- Focus on others. Even if it’s in addition to the gift-giving, another experience that could have a meaningful impact is visiting an elderly home or a shelter. Take your family, small group, or neighbor friends to visit with the elderly for an hour around the holidays. You won’t believe how much they will appreciate it and how much you will enjoy it too! Additionally, it’s a great way to lend a different perspective to ourselves and to our kids to think of others and give our time and love to those who may be feeling extra lonely.
- Plan a trip for the future! Sit the family down and plan a getaway or local trip for the future that will include an activity that each person will really enjoy. That way, everyone feels included and can look forward to the trip or event.
- Paper is still good. In this digital age, we tend to forget the beauty of the written word. Think about ways you can creatively express your love and care to those close to you. Make a card and mail or hand-deliver to them. It shows that you are willing to sit down and take the time and energy to write them a message that they can keep and reread.
- Get crafty. All you need to do is search Pinterest with key phrases like, “creative holiday gift ideas,” and you will find a plethora of easy-to-make gifts.
- Give the gift of health. Consider investing in a person’s health by buying them a gym membership, a fitness watch or a subscription to a fresh food delivery company. As with anything, make sure that something like the gym membership would be welcomed by the recipient and not offensive.
We hope this inspired you to think about gifts differently and focus on what the holiday season means to you and how you want to make those around you feel. Enjoy this magical season!