Tis The Season of Giving

Christmas time! They say it's the season of giving! Unfortunately, that idea has been misconstrued into spending hundreds, and even thousands of dollars on gifts for every man, woman, child and dog in your life.

I love love love giving someone just the right gift that you know they'll love and getting to watch their reaction as they open it. For me, when you find the perfect gift, price doesn't matter (to a point). Whether it's $10 or $100, it's worth it to see their reactions. However a recent conversation with a friend brought up the controversy of prices of gifts. Her lucky husband is lavished with amazing expensive gifts that are just perfect for him. For her, price doesn't matter, it's seeing the look on his face. I told her I agree, but only to a point. Because if I spend too much money just to see the happy look on their face that one day, they'll have to suffer seeing my poor sorry face the whole rest of the year because I ran out of money!!! ha ha

Where I run into struggles with the 'season of giving' is when you are suppose to buy someone a gift and you have no idea what to give them so you basically just run out and grab the best (and let's be honest, the quickest) thing that you can find. For me this totally takes away that wonderful feeling of giving. I figure you might as well just chuck their gift at them and say, 'fine, here's your damn sweater'. Isn't the idea of giving is that it's something you know will bring them joy and happiness, not because you are 'suppose' to give them something. Maybe I’m old school, but when I’m in a bind with what to give someone, I like to give them homemade baking. I’m not sure if everyone appreciates it, but to me it shows much more time and caring, then just grabbing the quickest thing at the mall as you race through it to finish your shopping. I love a homemade special baking (I can’t say the same for my hips though).

For me, the true meaning of Christmas is the gift of time. It's not just about spending money on everyone, but spending the time with family and friends. My holiday season is jam packed full of many different festive gatherings. And although it’ll be a busy run, I am so blessed that I have so many special people in my life to share it with and I look forward to each and every day this season!

I know a family that has definitely figured out the gift of time! Instead of buying a gift for whose name you draw, you are to spend a day with that person. Unfortunately, and most honestly, I’m pretty sure everyone has that one family member that they’d prefer not to have to spend a day with, ha ha. But hey, let’s be optimistic. Maybe you’d find a new found appreciate for the person they are. Anyway, this family got creative!! The mother got her sons name and since he loves pickled carrots and beans, they spent the day together pickling. The son-in-law drew his mother-in-law and knowing her adrenaline junkie side, took her zip lining. A brother-in-law drew his sister-in-law and they took a nice serene kayak trip. I just love this idea of Christmas giving!

I think there’s no better way to give the gift of giving then to volunteer your time. This is something that we can do all year round is so many different ways. Although the holiday season is a time that volunteering is definitely in need. For the past 2 years I have been blessed to volunteer with the Olds and District Christmas Angels. They work all year gathering food, clothes, toys and supplies for those in need. I helped out yesterday as people came in to pick up their pre-packed and organized hampers as well as delivering hampers to those unable to come and pick up. I love the feel of knowing you are helping to help make this a special Christmas for them and their family! It warms your heart as you bring in the many boxes full for them and seeing their look of amazement and gratitude on their faces. My goal for 2010 is to do more volunteering throughout the year!

My mom’s side of the family has come up with an idea that I love. We enjoy the gift of giving and of the time spent with each other. Instead of doing the usual Pirates (or Chinese) gift exchange each year, where we'd all spend $20 to attempt to find just the right thing for whoever may end up with your gift, only for everyone to come home with some piece of crap that we'd never use and ends up in our garage sale pile. Now, instead of throwing away our $20 on something useless, we pool all our money together and make a donation. Each year, one family gets to choose where the money is donated to. This year it's been donated to Medic Canada to provide micro loans to people in Africa. As well, because my family still enjoys the time spent with us all in one room (with 35ish people, that doesn’t always happen) and fun of a friendly competitive gift exchange, we've kept it to something homemade or from your house, to alleviate the costs. Some of the top gifts this year were homemade ice cream, tarts, chocolates, Baileys and lots of yummy baking. This year I hit the jackpot (at least I think I did) and came home with a bunch of canning!! I can’t wait to dive into my pickled carrots.

So, as the festive season arrives, please remember the true meaning of Christmas. Take the time to spend quality time with those that you love. Give to those that are less fortunate. And above all, be thankful for all that you have. We don’t have to look far to realize there’s someone worse off than yourself. It’s amazing; the best way to improve your situation, boost your spirit and to find true joy is to give to others and count all the wonderful blessings in your life.

Merry Christmas to you all! Thank you for being in my life!