Gifts of Gratitude From: April Slappey November 01,2009
Noteworthy Nuggets:
We all know that the best giving comes from the heart, but often it is easier to duck into a store than to plan a gift that takes time, thought, and energy.
According to inspirational author William Arthur Ward, “Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”
Rather than a one-size-fits-all gift, take into consideration what would be a meaningful gesture to a loved one or dear friend and make it happen.
With just a little time and effort, you'll have the power to make a lasting impression on those people who mean the most to you.
As we enter this season of gift giving, I feel compelled to ask, “Why have so many of us fallen into the trap of thinking that to give great gifts, we have to spend, spend, spend?” We all know the best giving comes from the heart, but often it is easier to duck into a store than to plan a gift that takes time, thought, and energy. This year, I urge you to put aside your usual gift-giving tendencies and focus instead on ways you can give your friends and loved ones “gifts of gratitude.”
According to inspirational author William Arthur Ward, “Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” Maybe you are grateful for a loving family member, a dedicated mentor, or a friend who always has time to listen. This is your opportunity to speak to that person and express how thankful you are for what he or she adds to your life. Rather than a one-size-fits-all gift, take into consideration what would be a meaningful gesture to that person and make it happen.
Just to get your gears turning, here are some “gifts of gratitude” that you could give this holiday season:
Donations to a favorite charity: Take time to notice which organizations are near and dear to your friends or loved ones, and honor them by making donations in their names. Or, make thoughtful donations to a charity of your own choosing on behalf of those on your gift list. Check out websites such as www.charitynavigator.org or www.give.org for ideas.
Gratitude journals: Creating a gratitude journal is of great benefit to each of us personally, so why not introduce a friend or loved one to the practice. You can decorate a special notebook that begins with a loving note from you expressing all the reasons you are grateful for that person. (For more information on gratitude journals, please see Danielle Messick’s article, Benefits of Gratitude.)
Thoughtful letter or note: Yes, it will take your time and it will also require you to write legibly. But taking the time to sit down and put into words what people mean to you will strike a chord with them. Think about the last time you got a card or letter out of the blue that was complimentary to you. I’ll bet you can remember it, because it made such a great impression on you!
Gift certificate for your time or energy: If you know someone who could benefit from a little TLC or extra time in the day, consider creating gift certificates that promise you will “lend a hand.” Perhaps you know a new mother who could benefit from a free night of babysitting or a stressed family member who could use a sympathetic ear over a cup of coffee. In either case, sometimes just offering your help and time will be one of the most generous presents you could give.
This is just a small list of potential “gifts of gratitude,” but I encourage and challenge you to think of more. With only a little time and effort, you’ll have the power to make a lasting impression on those people who mean the most to you.
