FEEL: Three ways to give Christmas "presence"
/Black Friday shopping mall overwhelm. Cyber Monday inbox overload. When will the pressure to Give Bigger and Better end? It doesn't look like it will, according to one NPR story ... "It's just going to be a blend of a promotional period stretching the entire back half of the year and into the new year." Ugh.
But it doesn't need to be that way. Really. My husband and I only exchanged holiday gifts the first couple years of our relationship. Full disclosure: we share the same birthday. But the decision to stop purchasing items was based on more than the fact that we cancel out each other's special day. We both believe we can buy the items we need when the opportunity arises, and we are usually in the throes of a home renovation project that requires our attention—and dollars—whenever a gift-giving event rolls around. I realized today that, coincidentally, we happened to miss last year's holiday consumerism marathon because we were on our way home from a once-in-a lifetime trip to visit my stepson and daughter-in-law in Japan ... a vacation we saved up for over many, many months by setting aside money we might have spent on physical gifts.
But you have to give something at the holidays, right? Well, you don't have to do anything, but it sure is sweet to acknowledge someone you care about in a unique way. If you have the means, (1) give the gift of a meal out—or even a beverage—with you. So you can talk and laugh and make fun memories together ... maybe while you're reliving some old ones. Your time is one of the most valuable things you have, so a gift like that is extra-special. So think about it as giving the experience. The choice of a special Saturday outing, for example—the gift I gave my nephew when he turned five (he chose Mystic Aquarium)—opens up a world of possibilities.
Speaking of time, what about (2) sharing that with someone who could use help with some housework or other tasks? Once again, that can be a great opportunity to reconnect and catch up on each other's lives. Even an unexpected video call would show the giftee that you were thinking of him/her, and I don't know anyone who wouldn't get all warm and tingly from that. I know a guy who would get really warm and tingly with the gift of another set of hands splitting and stacking firewood, but let's move on ... ;)
If you still long to be able to hand your dear one a gift, (3) make something. It doesn't need to be expensive or elaborate. Seriously. A batch of favorite sweets, a handwritten copy of a special poem, a photograph of a memorable time ... all these things show that you really put some thought into the gift—more than an item you grabbed in a rush at the Big Box Store.
Whatever you decide—even if it's a purchased widget—give from the heart. If you choose to craft something from your hands, for example, visualize the recipient as you're wrapping your gift, and allow the feelings you have for him or her to bubble up. You'll infuse your item with one-of-a-kind energy that becomes even more important that the object itself. And you just might get the best gift of all ... the reward of spreading your love and the true joy of giving—without any thought of receiving anything in return.
In the spirit of giving—and of gifting experiences instead of physical gifts—this holiday season I'm extending my special inner sanctuary discount on private sessions to everyone. Your loved one gets 60 minutes of yoga, selfcare brainstorming, or whatever they could use to nourish themselves this season, and you’ll pay just $80 (that’s $15 off the regular price). Use the code private15 when you purchase “private sessions with jo”—and remember to start by clicking the “purchase a gift” option at the top right in my shop. That way you can have the info sent whenever you choose, along with your customized message.
Looking for something that’s less than $20? Gift a month of specially curated winter practices in a variety of lengths and styles, available 24/7 from my virtual selfcare sanctuary. I’m standing by if you need a helping hand with your purchase.
Giving our undivided attention to loved ones to mark a special occasion is worth much more than money could ever buy. I caught this special moment at a shrine in Kyoto—to me it’s a perfect illustration of the preciousness of time spent with someone we love.