Finding Gifts from the Heart

Holiday, birthday, Mother's or Father's Day and on. Gifts can be expensive and, so many times, a gift is given that the person does not need, will never use, does not like, will return for refund, will give to someone else as a gift - well, you get the picture.

Many of you reading this will have done some of the above, no matter your age, right?

I decided many years ago to try and find a way to give a gift that was really wanted, needed or just a pleasant surprise. Since I raised 6 children by myself, money was always "just a short distance from NONE" so I had to take that in to account also.

First of all, we had to decide how to save for some of the gifts that would cost money. A "Gift Kitty" was set up. All of our extra change or whatever we had to spare was saved until the special event. Sometimes the amount was very small but a vote was always made on how to spend it.

My plan was to make a list of all the people that I and/or my children would like to give a gift for whatever was the occasion. Lists had to made as far in advance of the event as possible so we could gather information for our gifts. Of course Christmas was always the longest list.

Once everyone had the list of names and each one had a chance to cross off names that did not pertain to them (no gift), it was time to gather information. Our list would sometimes be quite long as we did not intend to buy anything (usually). The information gathering was usually fun and everyone shared their results every day or so.

Information consisted of the needs, dreams, desires, wants, necessities, etc. of all the people on our list. This info can be gathered all year as you visit or converse with the people you know will be on your list at anytime of the year. Sometimes the thing someone really wants may cost money and a decision would have to be made if that was one of the items to be purchased with our Gift Kitty.

Our gifts consisted of things like; cut the lawn 4 times, repair a screen door, clean up an area, clean up a desired room, clean out the refrigerator or freezer, take the dog for walks, clean the driveway, etc. There are so many small things that young and old would like done that the lists could go on and on. We never tried to decide if someone else should be doing this, but we did have to try not to hurt anyone's feelings or place shame on anyone.

Sometimes the "needs" of a recipient would consist of quite a few things and when that happened we would decide to list each 'gift' on a slip of paper, place them in a box and let the recipient draw out one or two slips and that was their gift on this occasion. Save the others for another day.

I am 78 now, children all gone on their own, but I still stick to this type of giving and continue to have many happy recipients. So do you know someone that "has it all" or that you would like to really please with a gift that will be remembered for a long time? Why not make a list of the things you can do for someone (everyone has different talents) and try to find out if someone on your list has need of something you can do?

If you live far away or just do not have the time (or talent) for the gift that person really needs or wants, can you afford to get someone else to do it? Or maybe just a magazine subscription? Or a gift card to their favorite fast food place? Or a movie gift card? The list can be endless but can be narrowed down to fit your budget or time.

How much nicer to give/receive something that you KNOW the giver really had your personal desires in mind when the gift was "purchased". Naturally, seniors, shut-ins, live alone Moms and Dads, and needy or time strapped friends/neighbors may be the primaries on your list but I know from long time experience that this type of gift is usually a "keeper".

Give a gift with love and friendship and you will always have a Merry Christmas.

By cybergrannie from FL