Why do we make our list, check it twice, dive into the shopping and wrapping party with a sometimes tortured grin? Simply put, giving makes us happy.
While we may complain about the chaos that surrounds giving the reality is there’s no better feeling than giving someone the perfect gift that makes them so happy that we’re happy with them.
Unhappy chaos usually happens when we don’t find the perfect gift at the perfect price for everyone on our list in December. That’s why the most organized gift givers start early.
Often the most memorable gifts aren’t big and expensive, instead they are affordable and personal.
When thinking of some of my most memorable gifts, they include:
- A Wizard of Oz pillowcase that a great-aunt gave me when I was about nine. I slept on it well into adulthood, until it literally fell apart, because it make me feel safe from night monsters.
- A friend gave me a magazine subscription that I still subscribe to today and think of her every month when I get it.
- Years ago my newly divorced dad remembered I wanted red potholders for my Coca-Cola decorated kitchen in my first apartment. He’s the give you cash, buy what you want kind of dad, so I was surprised when he gave me red potholders with multi-colored hearts that I still use today.
- My favorite kitchen glasses were a gift from an acquaintance at the time.
- My mother gave me a tiny pewter Coca-Cola train in a small star shaped box on our last Christmas together and I still put the box under my tree.
- And just this weekend, a stranger in the parking lot at Costco helped me load several heavy bottles of water in my car while saying, “It’s Christmas, happy to help.” This was particularly meaningful because it was a chaotic day and I really needed the act of kindness.
I’m sure when I got these gifts my happiness couldn’t help but spill onto the gift giver. Although these gifts weren’t expensive, they were all meaningful to me at the time.
Sometimes the perfect gift might be something as simple as framing a picture you took of someone. If you’re cash light, consider hand writing a letter, yes I said write, not type on the computer, with a couple of memories that depict why you love that person. They’ll always remember the letter and many will save it. Bake a favorite family recipe to share and consider giving the recipe too. Give a coupon for a night of babysitting, dog walking or some other help them out activity. Share links to five YouTube videos that you know will make them smile but take a little work to find something unique.
Giving comes from the heart, not the wallet.
If you’re in the middle of chaotic holiday shopping hustle and bustle, and preparing for the gift wrap and shipping palooza, stop long enough to take a deep breath and think of the happiness that you’ll feel when you actually give your gift. It’ll make it easier to grin and maybe even enjoy the chaos, at least a little.
Part of what makes it a happy holiday season is the that we all focus on giving, which is one of the 31 Types of Happiness.
What was one of your most memorable holiday gifts — and holiday gifts includes all of the December holidays we celebrate?
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Written by Pamela Gail
Pamela Gail Johnson founded the Society of Happy People in 1998.
The Society is grounded on Pamela’s four key Practical Happiness Principles:
Pamela identified 31 Types of Happiness that are on the SOHP App Happiness Counter to make it easier to recognize moments of happiness.
Pamela also plans and organizes the Society of Happy People's annual happiness celebrations:
She's also a speaker, trainer, and author.
A few of her personal smile starters include her monthly book club, yoga, traveling and meeting new happy people.
Hi Pamela,
Thanks for the tips. I hadn’t thought that the chaos of the Holidays was because I couldn’t find the right gift. You’ve inspired me to turn into one of those early-starters so I can bring back the magic!
Great article – excellent examples of how even the most modest of gifts can last a lifetime! thanks for sharing your experiences. great job!
I remember the outbursts of excitement on my oldest daughter’s face when she unwrapped an A frame chalk board i had made for her. She was about 6 or 7 and she loved to play teacher so this was a real joy to her. She is 30 now and a preschool teacher, which is what she had always said she wanted to do.
Perfect article for me to read. I love the statement “Giving comes from the heart, not the wallet” — it’s the unexpected gifts of kindness that mean the most to me. Our 3 grown children have decided they would prefer spending “time together as a family” to any gift — I love their hearts. It really is the things in life that nurture our relationships that are the best gifts of all. I love the examples you give of gifts that were well thought out … when you let your heart guide you, you can’t go wrong! thanks for sharing
Love how you suggested simple. I agree totally.
Great post! It’s so true that the stress/chaos comes from not finding the right gift, or as in my case, leaving it until the last minute! Every year I say that I am going to get more organized and start sooner but I never do! Maybe next year…
Love your list of favorite gifts…so unique and special!
You are so right, Pamela Gail, giving does come from the heart, not the wallet!
Love this “Giving comes from the heart, not the wallet.” TRUTH!
The last couple Christmas’ my kids spoiled me. Last year I got everything I needed, but then my daughter gave me one last gift. A scrap book of me with her and her brothers, our dogs over the years, etc. I cried. She was 17 at the time. That is the gift that meant the most!
I love the chaos of the holidays 🙂 I love everything about it. I’m kind of a Christmas Queen lol
Thanks for making it simple Pamela. My gift is going to be my presence with my nieces and do something with them. I rarely get to do that and it will be a nice surprise for them.
I LOVE giving.chaotic or not:-)!! And yes it truly does make a Merry Christmas!
Thanks for the tips Pamela. I could actually enjoy some holidays chaos this year and thinking of how much happiness I could bring to someone after I gave his/her gift.
So true Pam! I love when you stated that “Giving comes from the heart, not the wallet.” Coming from the heart with sincerity and good intentions can speak multitudes!