The Best Gift to Give and Why we Give Gifts
The best gift to give is your thoughtfulness. When it comes to gift-giving and why we give them, my main reason is to show that I love someone. It is also out of appreciation. However, there are certainly more reasons for this practice.
- To show appreciation/gratitude.
- It express kindness.
- Often to say thank you.
- For a special occasion
- Because of a social requirement. You feel obliged.
- It may be ego-driven.
- You may want to manipulate or bribe someone.
Gift Cards or Something More Personal?
Do you want to give your loved one a memorable gift or an “oh well it was a quick and simple gift” that they may or may not remember? There’s a reason why they are called “the quick and easy solution” it’s because they are.
However, please make sure it comes from a place the receiver will actually be excited about receiving. I have gift cards I have never used. There is no way of knowing who gave them to me, and I don’t even care. If this is your aim, go for it, who knows, it may be the best thing ever! If you want something a bit more personal, do a bit of research and maybe find something this person will appreciate.
Read on, you may find an idea that strikes you. Something that excites you, and gets the ball rolling for a kick-ass gift. A gift that will blow that special someone’s mind.
Meaningful Gifts
Gift – is defined as a thing given willingly to someone without payment.
I certainly cannot argue with that, but for this post, since my focus is on families and love, I think that a gift is something given from the heart, for love’s sake.
The gifts I remember most and cherish the most, are those gifts I felt were given lovingly, and thoughtfully. and because they were given out an appreciation for me, they filled my heart with joy.
They were given by people wanting to make me feel happy. Never about the cost or the brand name for example. Not things they would have wanted for themselves. They were given to me because they loved me and actually knew me. The gifts were about me and what I would appreciate. They took time out from their day to think about what I might want, and that showed me just how much they cared.
Give From the Heart
The Best Gift to Give
Gifts are not necessarily just about buying something. We need to put our hearts into it instead of just reaching for our bank cards. Give a gift because you want someone you love, to know you care. And, to let them know they are important in your life. To show them gratitude for just being who they are.
Many years ago I received a gift of a teddy bear from one of my sons’ friends. He really couldn’t afford to buy me anything. I loved bears and anyone who ever came to our house knew it. He gave me a very inexpensive bear.
However, it was the best gift to give, it came from his heart. Therefore, it was a beautiful bear to me and it came from that specific person.
Several years ago he passed on, still a young man. I remember that kid so well and I will never part with that bear. Thank you, Todd.
The Best Gift to Give
The usual gifts that come to mind are the ones we shop for. We have the gift wrapped, or do it ourselves, then present it to the recipient.
Some people cannot afford to do this and often feel pressured to buy and feel guilty if they can’t. That’s rather sad I think, because gifts come in all different shapes and sizes and in different wrapping.
This list may be of interest, and no money is required. We can offer our;
- Love
- Care
- Time
- Phone calls
- Friendship
- Listening ear
- Helping hand
- Compliments
- Time to cook a favourite meal
- Ability to do someone’s housework for a week or two
- Strength to mow someone’s lawn/ or shovel snow
- Time to watch a movie night at your home or their home
- Ability to write a letter to express your love for them, or say thank you for being who they are.
I would love to receive any one of these gifts any day of the week, or for any occasion.
Thoughtful Gifts
You know your family and friends, come up with something you know they would love. You can ask someone for their help by asking for their opinion. Or you can ask the person themselves what they would appreciate from someone who wants to gift them.
I’m that person who loves that phone call from the people who matter most. No matter what day it is, I always consider it a gift.
I love a heartfelt hug, it fills me with a sense of joy and wellbeing. The gift of a thank you, an “I’m sorry”, a compliment, an “I love you “. Even a simple text just to say, “I’m thinking about you, I miss you”. These gifts can keep me on a high for days.
There are those times when money can be the best gift. Some people can really use a helping of a little extra money. You know who they are, reach out and help if you can.
It’s Christmas, so What is the Best Gift to Give?
Creating Gifts
Oh dear, here comes Xmas. These words either fill you with pure joy and excitement or with pure dread. I have been on both sides of these feelings. A sense of pure joy, but also times of absolute stress, and panic. And this was from just thinking about gift-giving.
Trying to get the right gift, spending money I didn’t have. Gifts that were not desired, not needed, and not wanted. This, on top of the stress, dread, and panic, comes the absolute heartache when the gift is rejected. The gift you put so much time and effort into, is rejected.
However, these experiences have taught me a valuable lesson or two;
- Never overspend
- When unsure ask or give a gift of money (if you can) or something they have asked for
- Ask, “What do you want or need?
- Perhaps, ask someone else who may have the perfect gift in mind
- No matter how hard you try, you do not always get it right
- Remember that once you give a gift it belongs to the person you gave it to. That means they can do whatever they want with it. Don’t get your knickers in a knot if they never use it, give it away, or burn it. It is theirs to do with as they please.
- If you’re not having fun…..STOP…..give yourself time to think.
The Best Gift to Give is the one you Created
By the way, some people create their gifts. However, you may want to know the person quite well before you take that leap. It could be the greatest gift ever for some, but pure embarrassment for others. This is going to hurt like heck if you put your loving time and effort into something you may love, but the receiver hates.
When I was growing up, I remember my mom always wanted a box of chocolates for Xmas- every year. We bought her clothes, jewelry, things we would hear her wish she had. However, no matter how expensive, pretty, and fitting a gift it was, none of it topped her love for a box of chocolates. It’s all she really wanted.
Some people have chosen not to do the gift exchange anymore, instead, they give of themselves. They help out in their community, and they feed the hungry. I know people who spend their time with someone who is alone, and needs company. Some people donate to a cause and do it in someone else’s name.
I rarely give gifts because it’s society’s norm, and I give only what I can give and afford. Sometimes I ask if they want money or if they want a wrapped gift. I offer to take them shopping to show me what they want and I go from there. No stress, no uncomfortable mess-ups.
I have, on occasion, received gifts after expressing that I did not want x – but – received x anyway. I’m not certain why anyone would do that, but it happens. Just accept it with gratitude and let it go.
Benefits and Pitfalls of Gift Giving
Many prefer to give rather than to receive. It is lovely to receive, no matter how small, how big, how expensive, or cheap it is. Therefore, it’s very nice to get that wrapped package, but, sometimes, nothing beats being the giver.
There are even physical and psychological benefits when giving gifts. When we see how joyful someone feels, we get a shot of dopamine, and it makes us feel great. Consequently, we feel joy and excitement for them. So, we know we did something kind and nice for someone, therefore it just makes our day.
Unfortunately, gifts can also be seen in a negative way. To clarify, sometimes, a gift is given purely from an ego boost, or perhaps to manipulate someone. That will most likely generate hurt instead of joy, especially if the receiver figures out your little scheme.
If we give gifts with the idea of getting something in return, that, my friend, is not a gift in the spirit of love. That is either ego or manipulation. Meanwhile, the receiver will feel used and hurt.
Ego says ” I’m so kind and wonderful, I’ll bet this is the nicest, most expensive gift they will ever get”. And if it’s manipulation it will sound something like this, ” I can’t wait to get something in return “. Therefore it is being used as a bribe to get what you want. It says to the other ” I gave you x, now you owe me x”, or something like ” I gave you this because I love you, now you have to love me back”.
Happy gift-giving. Hope your next gift will be the best one, the one you give from your heart.
This post brought back some memories. It's so sad that Todd passed away at such a young age, he was been dealing with a lot of pain. Looking back, he must have truly appreciated having someone that was always kind to him – you even took the time to listen when he arrived on the doorstep with a tiny baby duckling. I'm sure his gift to you was truly from the heart.
Thank you so very much for your comment JR, I miss Todd as well, I hope he's in a place where he knows we are both thinking about him fondly.