6 Thoughtful Holiday Gift Ideas - For Yourself and Others
‘Tis the season for giving. And, as you may have heard before, it is better to give than to receive. Not only does giving encourage social connection with others (people or a cause), but it can also give us a feeling of contentment and gratitude. When done with a grateful heart, giving can also be good for our health. It promotes a sense of trust and cooperation and can be a form of stress relief.
The purpose of this particular blog post is to share ideas for giving this season….giving to others, as well as yourself.
““No one has ever become poor by giving.””
Gift #1 - Share the gift of health & fitness
You know I had to begin with this one. And, while I would love for you to purchase personalized services from me, there are so many FREE ways to connect with others and get moving. Consider inviting a friend or loved one on a neighborhood walk or a hike through a local trail. This is an awesome way to spend quality time, get some fresh air, and get your bodies moving.
Gift #2 - Share the gift of gratitude
Acknowledge someone who has been a supporter, encourager and motivator in your life. If possible, reach out to that person today and say thank you, again. The simple act of saying thank you can truly brighten someone's day and be just what they need to keep doing more of the same. Consider sharing your thanks with a handwritten note.
Gift #3 - Prepare and share a homecooked meal
Are you an expert in the kitchen? Or, maybe you have a specialty dish or dessert that everyone loves! Food is always a welcomed treat to give and receive, especially the thoughtfulness of a homecooked meal.
Gift #4 - Share your passion with free lessons
What is your area of expertise? Have you considered teaching or training others to become more skilled in that area? Offering one to two free lessons could be just the inspiration someone may need to lift their spirits and provide a new interest. Scrapbooking, crocheting, knitting, photography, dancing, or playing an instrument are a few ideas that come to mind.
Gift #5 - Give the gift of babysitting
Have a little extra time on your hands? How fun would it be to share some of that time with a friend or loved one’s children! If you have the space, the amenities, and patience, I’m sure it would be a welcomed gift for a parent well-deserving of some time off.
Gift #6 - Don’t forget the “Me” in Merry
Remember to take care of yourself during this holiday season. With as much excitement and joy that comes along with the holidays, there is also the potential for stress and anxiety. Make sure to take the time to do what you need to for yourself.
I’m going to spend a little time here describing a few different ways that you might practice self-care for the holidays.
Take a nap: The hustle and bustle of the season can be tiring. Rest when you need to, rest whenever you can. However, keep your naps short and sweet. According to www.sleepfoundation.org , naps lasting 10 to 20 minutes are considered the ideal length. They are sometimes referred to as “power naps” because they provide recovery benefits without leaving the napper feeling sleepy afterward.
Just say no: This was a tough lesson for me to learn, but I finally mastered it…for the most part. Saying yes all of the time is not beneficial to our health and wellness. Although you may have the time, money, and energy available to give, the cost may still end up being too expensive for your wellbeing.
Watch a cheesy holiday movie: Sometimes seasonal romance movies or television shows are just what we need to escape reality for an hour or two. You know the ones…. a corporate executive is given an assignment to return to her small hometown to assist with a family matter, when she reunites and falls back in love with her high school summer camp boyfriend. Ha! Don’t act like you haven’t seen that storyline (or one similar) before!
Get some exercise: Take a walk, join a group fitness class, catch a workout online, etc. Exercising is a great way to improve your mood due to the increase in endorphin production.
Bake: That’s right, I said bake. Yes, I realize that I just suggested exercise one bullet point above! The two options do not have to be separate from one another. Our focus must be on living a balanced life, not an all-or-nothing approach, which can be dangerous. I always love baking during this time of the year, for myself and for others. Finding a recipe, gathering the ingredients, and putting it all together can be very therapeutic…. especially if it happens to taste good!
Remember, gift giving (whether to yourself or others) is something that should not be a chore, best coming from the heart. When we give, we should be giving willingly without wanting something in return. That goes for our self-care, as well. We do not need to set to-dos or tasks in place to be completed before we take care of ourselves. Rather, we should do what we can, break to take care of ourselves, then continue on with a renewed energy. Let’s move forward with gifting ourselves with care, so that we can better serve others. Happy Holidays!