What are you Gifting?

It’s the most wonderful time of the year.  We decorate our houses and turn our attention to reaching out and loving others.  Charities thrive, retailers depend on it and for most of us we get to feel connected with our universe of friends for a short glimpse of time. 

Some of us have shopped all year long and enjoy the month without skipping a beat.  For others, it is a bit stressful with the outpouring of cash that accompanies the extra parties, food drives, gift exchanges, Salvation Army buckets, and usual gift giving.  It’s time to think back.  I challenge you to think back on two or three of your favorite Christmas seasons of the past.  What do you remember?  Why were they memorable? 

Most likely you will remember something special you did that year, the people and the events that surrounded Christmas.  For me it’s a lot about the memories that are created with a magical theme of Christmas Eve and all the excitement preparing for the annual Christmas Eve get together. 

My point is that presents are usually not the first thing that comes to mind.  Sure there are significant gifts that you may remember but many of us would be hard pressed to name most of the gifts years past.  It’s time to rethink.  What gifts do you have?  What are you gifting?  We all have talents.  Why not incorporate your talents into a wonderful gift.  Many of us underestimate our God given gifts.  Plan a day sharing, caring, helping or teaching others

   - Do you like to cook, garden knit, sew or pamper people?  

          Find a way to share this with others. 

   - Share recipes, have a cooking day, or plan a special day that feeds your soul.

   - Like the outdoors?  Hiking, Biking, Boating, Walking dogs?

   - Like to make cards scrapbook or make origami items?

   - Like to play a musical instrument? 

   - Are you great organizer, party planner, or budgeter?

   - Vacation planner, masseuse, web designer?

                Offer your help Share your gifts and talents with others whether you are doing for others or with them.   

   - Are you good at home repairs, remodeling or painting?

   - Fixing computers or helping others with how to keep them virus free?

   - Couponing or garage sales?

   - Preparing taxes?  Could you help someone sort through paperwork that is confusing? 

There is nothing like the gift of time..

   - Do you love to drive, have a love for open markets, festivals, theatre? 

   - How about playing cards or board games?  Do I hear a game night being planned?

   - Is there any particular book that you loved and would like to pass on and then have a great discussion on it with someone? 

   - On the same wavelength, how about a movie night. 

   - Are you a natural at uplifting and motivating people?  Make this work for you.

   - Could you be a coach and check in person to a friend or family member looking for work? 

   - Do you enjoy yard work, planning gardens and prepping them for next year?

   - Can you help people learn something new?  Feng Shui, decluttering,

   - Are you technology savvy?  Can you teach someone how to make better use of the computer?  For example, how to download and share pictures, the ins and outs of craigslist,  or sharing tips that helped you when you were just learning about the computer or how to create a website.

   - Consider sharing a few websites that are really interesting fun and meaningful to you.

    

Invite others to join you at events you are interested in. Never assume that a person wouldn’t be interested because they haven’t done something before or because they do not talk about it. 

   - Combining volunteer opportunities with friends and family is a great way to help others on an ongoing basis is a great gift in building relationships and create memories with family and possibly friends you have lost touch with.

   - Is there someone in your neighborhood or group of friends that could use some help with meals, grocery shopping or just getting  to church or  a store every once in a while?  Pick a day, a month, or a time and make it happen. 

   - Do you have a snow blower?  Reach out and offer your services as a gift to someone you love. 

The possibilities are endless. Gifting is a lot easier and rewarding than you think.  Remember, these gifts can be given now and received later.  Gifts like these are truly not only wonderful but they create memories and memories are what it is all about. 

I hope you are inspired in gifting this year.