Let's Meet Needs Instead of Satisfying Wants When Next You Give a Gift

Put more thought into giving

Christmas is one of the most popular gift-giving seasons worldwide, but there are birthdays, anniversaries, and special occasions that we celebrate too. Giving a gift is traditionally a good gesture and a fitting way to celebrate these moments.

It can be stressful, especially if you have no money or limited funds to buy gifts for your friends or loved ones to celebrate these special moments. As a result, many will make unwise decisions and not spend within their budget. Some even use charge cards in the heat of the festivities and moments to buy gifts so they can feel included.

The Christmas season is a budgeted gift-giving tradition for me. All my employees get a cash bonus — they look forward to it and are much appreciative.

I may have missed a family or friend's birthday during the year. But come Christmas, I'll never forget them.

With the pandemic wreaking havoc these days, how about picking up the phone and giving an older aunt, your parent, or your grandparents a call, and strike up a conversation without sounding like you're in a hurry. Better yet, if it is safe to do so, visit and help them with grocery shopping or something around the house — making dinner is a great idea. I recently helped an older lady by doing the dishes piled up in her kitchen sink. She was so thankful.

A gift doesn't have to be costly or involve spending money.

Lending your time to help someone out with chores is more valuable and impactful than a wrapped present.

Here's how I've changed the way I gave this past Christmas.

I still give the bonus to my employees. It's money they look forward to every year.

But this year, I did it differently.

In a non-pressuring way, I requested that they consider returning a portion of their bonuses, telling them if they do, I would triple match it and donate it to the less fortunate.

We were able to sponsor a Christmas dinner and a small self-care package for over 100 elderlies who are shut-in at home due to the pandemic.

I did all this because I felt it was the right thing to do.

“ Only great souls know the grandeur there is in charity” — Jacques Benigne Bossuet.

In addition, I spent an entire day visiting with some older folks in my neighborhood — I even invited four of them to my house for dinner.

Their appreciation in my memory — unfortunately, it is unlikely I will ever see these people again.

I ditched the electronics, colognes, and clothes I usually gave to families and friends and gave the gift of reading this year instead.

I choose books because I want to encourage reading. A book given to me years ago is my most treasured.

Selecting the right book for over 20 persons was time-consuming and more challenging than imagined. However, I wanted to ensure that the book I gave was valuable to each reader. Therefore, it was more than worth the effort.

Let's face it; most traditional gifts are mere wants — a doll, a cologne, another electronic gadget, or a piece of jewelry are all at best adding to someone's desire and often nothing more than clutter.

I'm not against giving traditional gifts. I'm just suggesting that many untraditional options may better communicate love and care to the recipient.

Put more thought into how you give gifts. Make your gift impactful. Give a non-traditional present.

Have you received a gift from someone lately? How impactful was this gift to you?

Tell me about your experience in the comments.