My current favourite form of gifting is an experiential gift. By this, I mean giving something of yourself as the gift, such as your time, energy, something you have made or repurposed, and love. To illustrate, I will mention two of my favourite gifts recently received from my own children. My son loves to kayak, and took his dad kayaking at a reservoir just north of Park Hill. The experience was initially filled with fear and expectation, which soon turned to enjoyment, strenuous exercise, and laughter.
Last month our two daughters took me out for a belated Father’s Day dinner and a show. We enjoyed some delicious Lebanese food, and sang along to and enjoyed the musical Beautiful, featuring the music of Carole King. These experiences have an emotional value that outweighs any physical gift that I have ever received.
You too can give similar gifts. Take a parent, grandparent, sibling, or elderly neighbour out for an experience. This might range from a short trip to experience the joys of nature, to attending a Christmas concert, to going out for an affordable meal and a movie. Or perhaps you could stay in and just listen, converse, cook for them, or watch a classic Christmas movie such as “It’s a Wonderful Life” with a bowl of popcorn and hot chocolate.
The importance with all these gifts is that you are giving selflessly to another human being.
Get some Christmas Carol sheets and pay a visit with friends to a local seniors’ home or palliative care ward, with the permission of those who run it. Go in, sing, laugh, share stories, and so on. You will be apportioning so much joy and positive energy! Make or repurpose a present. (Make mittens out of a treasured sweater, a wall hanging out of barnboard, or a small quilt out of grandpa’s ties.)
Giving something anonymously can be one of the most enjoyable experiences of all. You could rake someone’s leaves, shovel their sidewalk, or take in their empty garbage bins from the side of the road (or to carry them out full, on a weekly basis!)
The first Christmas gifts were given by the three wise men upon the birth of Jesus, over 2000 years ago. Well, these were actually the second gifts given for Christmas. The first was the gift of the baby Jesus, given to us by the holy parents and God.
I wish you all a very Merry Christmas! And, Happy Holidays to my many friends who are not Christians, but who celebrate another holiday during this time of year: Two examples of this would be Hanukkah, for my Jewish friends, and Kwanzaa, for my African Canadian friends.
Hoping for much joy and many blessings for you.