'Tis finally the season of gift giving and merrymaking!
Even though we're still a ways off Christmas, the gift buying frenzy has likely already begun. You may have already started making a mental list of gifts to buy and who to buy for.
Gifts for your employer, colleagues, friends and family — with so many people and gifts to consider, it's no wonder that so many of us have forgotten the true spirit of gift giving.
So let's change things up this Christmas! Let's learn how to practice mindful gift giving for ourselves and for the people we hold dear to our hearts!
What is mindful gift giving?
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Being mindful is about paying attention to the present, and being aware of what you're doing and why you're doing it!
And so mindful gift giving is about giving from the heart. It involves thinking about the person receiving our gift, how we want them to feel, and why we want to give them this gift. After all, gift giving is an act of love, and it should be a token of our appreciation to the people we're gifting to.
This benefits both you and the receiver of your gift! Your recipient gets a thoughtful gift that they love, and you get to feel the joy of being able to share your feelings with your loved one.
6 tips for mindful gift giving
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Gift giving should be a fun and joyous experience, not a stressful one! Here's how you can start giving mindfully and bring joy to your life and others'.
1. Plan ahead
Planning your gifts ahead of time helps you get organized and reduces stress. But it's also a chance for you to reflect on what gift giving means to you, and how you want to convey your appreciation for your loved ones to them.
When planning ahead, consider the following:
- Who are your recipients?
- What do they love, or what are their values?
- How do you want to share your appreciation for them?
- What exactly are you appreciating or thanking them for?
Instead of keeping a mental list (which you can lose track of easily), write these details down on a piece of paper or in your journal.
2. Consider your recipients
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Gifts are for your recipients, which means that you need to really think about who they are, what they love, and what they value when trying to pick out a gift for them!
Consider their hobbies, interests and love language. Think about what makes them smile or light up with happiness. Or, even better, what they've wanted for a long time but haven't yet had the chance to get!
When you take the time to truly sit down and consider what suits your recipient best, your sincerity and effort will certainly show through your gift.
3. Consider why you're giving the gift
Too often do we give gifts "just because". "Just because it's what we do on Christmas" or "just because it's your birthday". But it's important to think about why you're giving your gift to this person. What do you want to thank them for, or what are you appreciating about them?
It could be something as simple as "thank you for being my friend", or as detailed as "thank you for doing this certain thing for me in my time of need."
Whatever it is, reflecting on what you're gifting for is a part of being mindful and intentional. This process allows you to practice gratitude for the people you care about as well.
4. Give your time and presence
Sometimes, the best gifts aren't material. For some people, promising your time and company may just be the greatest gifts of all! After all, material gifts will one day break and fade, but your time and presence is invaluable.
Especially after the pandemic, as more places are opening up once again, human company has truly become precious! Consider pledging to spend more time together with your friends and family in 2022.
Coupons that promise your time and service can be a fun gift in this case! It's creative, personal, and gives them the priceless gift of your time and company.
5. Gift from your heart
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Gift giving isn't just a process of exchanging items and promises. It's important to gift from your heart — by giving them your forgiveness, gratitude or love!
Something as simple as a heartfelt note or letter can really show your appreciation for your receiver like no other. It's your effort and sincerity that truly makes the gift, not just its monetary value or worth.
Some ideas include:
- Anything hand-crafted by yourself
- A personal letter or note
- A photo album of your precious memories
6. Give a gift to yourself
But most of all, don't forget to give a gift to yourself as well — the gift of good health and self-care.
The festive season can be a stressful time, what with all the gift giving, gatherings and work that is to be done before the year ends. Which is why it's more important than ever for you to take care of your own mental and physical health, even as you try to master the art of mindful gift giving.
Give the gift of journaling
We all want our loved ones to be healthy and happy. If material gifts aren't exactly their cup of tea this year, why not get a little creative? Why not gift them the joys of journaling?
Journaling has many benefits, especially for better mental wellness and self-care. And so what better way to show your care and concern for them by giving them the tools necessary to start their own journaling journey?
With Journey Gift Cards, you can send your loved ones a membership subscription to Journey, a digital journaling app. Alongside that, you can even choose from a selection of themes and write a personalized note to your recipient, to truly convey your sincerity and appreciation for them.
This festive season, let's make gift giving a source of joy for us and others, and spend a mindful Christmas together!