What do you love to do? How do you
spend your free time? Those are your gifts—and they also make the best gifts
when you give of them.
That’s because you put your heart into them—and people appreciate that kind of
time and effort!
[Identify all your presents], and how
to regift them. If you have an artistic, musical or
culinary talent, then this is a no-brainer for you. Frame your photographs,
paint landscapes or portraits, write a song and set it to music, bake soufflés,
or offer to cook your recipient a five-course meal. [It’s] easy.
1.
Listening - You have a gift
for setting others at ease and helping them work through their problems or pain
just by listening to them. You also probably know someone who has a tough time
around the holidays and could benefit from a shoulder to cry on. This
Christmas, tell them you’d like to take them for dinner or coffee so they can
talk about whatever’s on their mind.
There’s nothing
that’ll make your friend feel better than a good meal and a listening ear especially
if most people would rather ignore their friend’s problems for fear of
dampening the holiday cheer.
2.
Serving - You love
helping. You volunteer regularly at a local church or nonprofit. So why not
bless someone you know with that gift at Christmas? Present a coupon for one
Saturday of your time, and try to make it specific to the recipient so they
actually redeem it.
If the person
keeps a beautiful yard, for example, offer to help them when they clean up from
winter and plant new spring flowers. Or maybe your friend is always apologizing
for the smashed Cheerios in their car that hasn’t been washed in who knows how
long—years? Offer to drop by one day and wash it for them.
3.
Organizing - Everyone has a junk drawer, a garage that stores boxes
instead of cars, or a coat closet that won’t shut . . . except maybe you,
because you have a gift for making order out of chaos. If so, present your
loved one with a coupon for your time organizing the messy catchall of their
choice.
It might be
wise to give this gift to everyone on your list (or at least everyone in a
particular group) so no one feels singled out. Just be prepared to do lots of organizing in the coming
year.
4.
Learning - You’d be a lifelong student if it [was] a paying job, and
you fly through books and devour documentaries. Share that love of learning
with a friend by offering to pay their admission into a local museum or
historic site for a day. [Walk] the halls and galleries together soaking up all
the fascinating facts you can. As a bonus, you’re giving them quality time with
you.
Even if they don’t have quite the
same zest for learning as you, they’ll still enjoy a few hours looking at
dinosaur bones at the natural history museum, glimpsing stars through the
telescope at the planetarium, or listening to the guide share harrowing details
of the battle fought in the field you’re visiting. Everyone loves that stuff.
See what we mean? If you think
creatively enough, you can figure out a thoughtful way to give of even your
most unusual gifts. So this
Christmas, before you head to the mall or settle in for a marathon online
shopping session, consider regifting—by giving of your own gifts.
Be prepared for that awesome look of
joy in your recipient’s face, and the sense of accomplishment you’ll feel for
absolutely nailing it.[ii]
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