For many, one of the season’s major stressors is our obsession with finding the perfect gift. Although gift-giving is a joyful activity, full of best intentions, it can also take its toll on the gift-giver. Putting aside the normal holiday frenzy, the fact that we are all short on time, and the financial issues that come with buying gifts for everyone you love and care for, the art of giving can be so challenging simply because there is so much. We are inundated with countless advertisements for products and offers — “buy one, get one,” “subscribe now for the best deal of the year,” “add on this extra bobble for a discount.” IT IS TOO MUCH!!! If you use social media at all, even a single click on something you like and suddenly your feed is full of promotions for a similar item! How do they do that? I don’t know.
What I do know is that for all my gift-giving, I want to be very intentional. Personally, I don’t want things. I want time and experiences. I want to share an hour over tea with my friends and family. I want to see things in person, that perhaps I have only seen in a movie or a book. I want to enjoy life every day, going to bed excited for what is to come tomorrow. So with that in mind, I am taking a mindful approach to my gift shopping for others. I shop local. My strategy is this: Local means in town, when possible, in state if I need to broaden my search, and in the USA, if I can’t find it in Alaska. I am thoughtful about what I buy. I do not buy things to sit on a shelf. I have tons of that and at my age that causes great anxiety. So food, movies, restaurants, etc. For instance, my brother and sister-in-law live in Boise. They never get Alaska fish. So that’s what we gift them. My husband’s parents don’t eat much, but love small treats, so we order local food/fruit baskets for them. When our children were younger, we contributed to their fuel or electric bills or gave them grocery gift cards.
My point is this: None of us need stress during the holiday season. None of us need “stuff”. So maybe your gift is a donation to a local animal shelter on behalf of your family. Or, maybe you gather to serve dinner at a soup kitchen over the holiday. Not only is being of service to others a gift to people in need, but acts of altruism decrease stress and enhance mental wellness for the volunteers. Or perhaps, your family watches a holiday movie together over hot cocoa and cookies. After all, time and connection with loved ones is the most valuable gift of all.
Imagine how much less stress you would feel if you agreed to just enjoy the moment instead of combat shopping at Wal-Mart? I would venture to guess that your family feels the same, but someone needs to say it out loud. And by the way, I do need a Kitchen-Aid…. Well, my husband will tell you that is a WANT, not a need. I do a lot of kitchen therapy…. So need is the side of the list I will keep it on. Sending warm wishes for a safe and joyful holiday!