Finding the right gift

Why do we give gifts?

Every Christmas, birthday, anniversary and special occasion we carefully choose and offer gifts to our loved ones. It’s something we do naturally and most of us don’t think about its deeper implications. The giving of gifts may be one of the oldest of human activities that predates civilization and may go back to the origin of our species.

Even in primitive cavemen culture, the giving of gifts was fairly common as it was used to show love and affection towards one another. Whether it was an unusually shaped rock, a tooth from an animal, the bark from a tree or some other item that was natural in origin, the giving of gifts was certainly common behavior long before we became an advanced civilization.

We often give gifts to reaffirm or establish our connection with others, which means they’re a reflection of both the giver and the receiver, as well as their unique relationship. Giving a gift to someone we care about allows us to communicate our feelings and appreciation for them. Today, gift giving is spread across all cultures around the world, from celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, offering good luck, best wishes for getting well, showing love and affection, or just saying thanks.

Making connections with people around us gives us a sense of purpose and feeling of satisfaction. This feeling is one that enlightens the soul and brings out the best in us. There is an old saying “it is better to give than receive” and it has a special meaning especially when one realizes of the benefits it provides to those who give.

A personalized gift is always a good idea, no matter what kind of present it is. A handmade gift is a fail proof gift you can give on any occasion. It’s a unique way of telling your recipient they are special. After all, the gift itself took time to be created and nothing spells love better than T-I-M-E. They will be stunned to know you’ve exerted effort and time to make them feel special.

We all know someone who’s very picky. It’s hard to think of what gift to give, and that’s when a handmade gift comes handy. Handmade gifts provide a feeling of being personal. It’s like you really spent the time to think of the person’s interests, such as their favorite color or design. You’ve really considered the thing that would make them happy. A handmade gift lets someone feel extra special because rather than giving a store-bought present, you chose to put your time into creating something. Without a doubt, the person who will receive it will feel nothing but good vibes.

Not everyone is crafty or has the time to make something personally for everyone on their list. Finding one-of-a-kind gifts and spreading holiday cheer can be easier said than done. One way to still spread joy while shopping is to shop local. If you haven’t already heard, shopping locally is the act of everyday consumers, like you, making the decision to buy your produce, clothing and day to day items from a local business instead of going to a large retailer. Buying gifts all while building relationships within the community and helping support the local economy.

Really, who doesn’t feel a bit more warm and fuzzy knowing they’re supporting their neighbors? When buying from business owners you trust, shopping experiences become more enjoyable because you know where the products are coming from and the people behind the products.

When you shop locally, many of the goods and services are locally sourced or crafted. This means many of your pieces are one of a kind and carry a unique story. Handcrafted jewelry, artwork from local artisans, baked goods made with recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation. Visiting local shops and restaurants and choosing to spend locally gives you the opportunity to network and befriend your neighbors.

Shopping local does not only help add revenue to our communities but job opportunities as well and doesn’t even begin to mention the amazing customer service our local businesses offer. Is there a shop in the Valley you frequent and they welcome you by name and ask about your day? I certainly can name a few places that give memorable, hands on service every time you walk in.

The holiday season can bring so much joy and stress from busy schedules. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of the season. Keeping things simple and fun is important to keep in mind. The idea of gifts can easily become a stressful part of the season. One trick I’ve been taught about gifts is “The Rule of Five” which is very simple. Instead of spending a lot of money on gifts or trying to buy a bunch of presents to fill up space under the tree, we limit it to five things. Each item belongs to a category, to help make shopping easier. Something wanted, something needed, something to wear, something to read and somewhere to be. Of course, you could change this list for what works best for your family, but these are the five gift categories we chose to do. There are many benefits to doing the Rule of Five Gift over just buying as many gifts as you want. Christmas isn’t just about presents, and sometimes that is hard to remember.

By eliminating excess presents, this holiday stops being about gifts and more about everything else! Spending all December in the stores means you have little time to spend with your loved ones. This year, by implementing a Rule of Five Gift, you can get your shopping done quickly so you can spend more time with the ones you love. By eliminating all of the excesses that Christmas can bring, you go back to the roots. Christmas stops being stressful or complicated and starts to be more enjoyable. You begin to enjoy the little parts of Christmas like decorating the tree or watching movies, instead of trying to sneak presents behind your kid’s back, so they don’t notice. I know my kids, for instance, start the search and guessing games just after Halloween.

No matter how you celebrate the season or any gift giving occasion it really is the thought that counts. Always remember being present can be a lot more meaningful than giving presents. Though there are many options to share the joy and your love!