The Most Special Gift You Can Gift this Christmas - Your Time

Author: Admin | Filed under: Christmas Gifts Wednesday Dec 5,2007

Too often Christmas becomes a time of stress, especially when it comes to gift giving and finances. In this age of materialism, people forget that some of the most special gifts that you can give or receive are gifts from the heart. Give someone the greatest gift of all, the gift of your time.

Just think, all that crazy last minute shopping not only robs you of your energy and Christmas spirit, but it can also be a major drain on the finances as well. For many people, money is tighter this year than ever before. With some creative thought and planning, you can give thoughtful gifts that will not only be appreciated but won’t put you in debt until next Christmas.

Get together with your family and friends and share with them your idea, reach a mutual agreement not to exchange gifts. Stop worrying about running around and stressing about what to get for whom and how you’re going to pay for everything.  This year without having to worry and stress, you can actually spend your time in ways that count and focus on quality time with those who matter most to you.

Now, for those on your gift list it’s time to come up with some special ideas for your gifts.  Think about each person and what would help them the most or make their life a little easier.  Maybe you have a family member or friend who has a baby or children; you can make some coupons the offers babysitting services. Maybe you can offer lawn mowing services for an elderly neighbor, or errand running for a homebound person. Keep each person in mind when you do this and take special care to make sure you’re not stepping on any toes and that your service won’t be seen as an intrusion or inconvenience.

For the smaller children on your list, consider making a gift for them. Children love stories, so why not write a story about that child for them? You can either type it up and illustrate it using your computer, or write it in big block letters and illustrate it with pictures you’ve clipped out or drawn yourself. You can also make things such as modeling clay or bubble blowing liquid. Check your local library or internet for more great ideas for children. The best part of these gifts is the time you spend with the youngster playing with the clay or reading the story time and again.

And though it may seem a bit more difficult to think of a gift for older children and teenagers, they also cherish the gift of your time. If you have a special skill, such as cooking, baking, or painting, why not take the time to pass it along. Purchase a canvas and some paints and show your favorite young person how to paint landscapes or pass along a favorite family recipe by teaching him or her how to prepare it.

Consider donating some of your time to places that really need additional hands around the holidays. Your local soup kitchen, homeless shelter or neighborhood nursing home might need someone to help serve food and clean, or just simply to spend time with their residents. Your time and help will be greatly appreciated by the staff and the people they serve.

The holidays shouldn’t be a time of stress and worry over how much money you’ve spent on gifts, but about togetherness and generosity. Giving the gift of your time is probably the most generous gift any of us have to give, and the one that most people are most appreciative of and enjoy receiving.

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