Gifting with Gratitude

​I don’t mean to brag… well maybe I do a little… But it’s not even December yet and my Christmas shopping is under control.  This year I’ve decided to try something different – I’m calling it ‘Gifting with Gratitude’ and I think it is an absolute winner.
 
Giving at Christmas time should be a positive experience, filling us all with warm fuzzies as we shower gifts and appreciation on those we love.
 
My usual experience?
 
I arrive at a very big, very busy shopping center on December 22nd, leaving my Christmas spirit in the car park while sideways glancing at the car next to me as we both spot the poor, innocent soul walking along loaded up with bags, fumbling with their keys and sensing the piercing eyes staring at them wondering which parking space they’ll be vacating.
 
I am over it before I even begin, grabbing the first things I see with little thought so that I can get the hell out of there. ‘Did I get my Dad a Pizza stone last year? Hope not!’
 
Not this year!
 
So, what is this ‘Gifting with Gratitude’?
 
I’ve developed a form with three columns. The first one has the names of friends and family we usually buy gifts for as well as any others I’m feeling especially appreciative of this year. My list has grown since having Flynn! The second column is titled “What do I love about them?” I’ve taken the time to write down my favourite memories of each person from the year that was, or something I love about them. I specifically scheduled this time in my day and sat down with a glass of wine to make it an especially pleasant experience. The third column is “Something they’d love”. This was so much easier to fill in once taking the time to actually think about this person rather than rushing around a store hoping something might jump out and inspire me.
 
The result?
 
I’m sitting here feeling grateful and humbled, full to the brim with love and appreciation with a beautifully presented list of potential gifts as well as the perfect messages for my Christmas cards. No more “Dear Mum, Merry Christmas, From Us!”
 
After all, isn’t this what the season is meant to be about?
 
I’m going to make this nice an easy for you, if you comment below with your details I’ll email you the template I've used to change the way I gift this year. I hope it gives you all of the warm fuzzies that should come with this time of the year and help you to avoid the December 22nd car park chaos.
 
Merry Christmas!!