My Gift List

December 9^th. I have yet to begin my shopping. I cringe at joining the crowds out there, all looking for the “right” gift, in the form of a purchase, wrapped in shiny paper to be opened as close to December 25^th as possible.  Everyone has lists of what they want, or need; of people to buy for, and their lists of what they want, or need. This is supposed to be the time of giving, of cheer.

I’ll give my first gift here – I’ll try not to make this too preachy.  :)

But really, I have a wish. I have a few items on my list that I’d like everyone to get for the holidays. And give. And these items are free. They can’t be bought. My list is:

• Appreciation
• Thanks
• Compliments
• Smiles
• Reminders that you’re thinking of them

Any one of these gifts, given once, can go a long way. Any one of these gifts, given once, can change a bad day to a good day. Given repeatedly, they can change someone’s life. There’s no limit as to how often these gifts should be given…in fact, the more these gifts are given, the better.  These gifts tend to multiply.

And guess what?  Not only does the recipient get something nice, the gift-giver gets some happiness in return. Thanks given usually generates thanks in return. Same with smiles and compliments; appreciation and “I’m thinking of you.”  We all want to be appreciated, to be thought of, in general. And when we do give of ourselves, and we're not thanked or appreciated, we all feel cheated or taken for granted. 

It doesn’t matter how many of these gifts you give today, or how few. There is no required waiting period, or unacceptable time frame. These gifts can be given now, and often.

And I know this is cliché-ish at this time of year, but this season of giving, in giving gifts of peace and appreciation, should last the whole year through.  So I urge everyone to take a minute from the material gift shopping, find the people in your lives who mean something to you, whether they’ve helped out in some way; look out for you, been there for you, whatever; and tell them how much they’re appreciated, as often as possible. It will mean the world to them.