Gifts

What is one of the most memorable gifts you have ever been given?

What is one of the best gifts you have ever given to someone?

I love to give gifts and at Christmas my mind is pretty occupied with what I could give someone that would make them feel known and loved. It is the perfect opportunity to be a version of myself that I appreciate. 

When my oldest children were young we started a tradition of doing a name draw so that they would have a chance to practice purchasing gifts that were for other people and truly thinking about what that person would want. We opened those gifts on Christmas Eve. I remember my one child who especially loves giving gifts wanted to get his older sister a diamond. He was only about three years old at the time so I have no idea where that thought came from, but it was the sweetest, and he did buy her a 'diamond' necklace!

One of my friends has a tradition where she gets her young son to go and give gift cards to people he feels would like or need them, but that he does not know, in a public setting. She also gets him to drop gifts off to neighbours. I think this is so lovely.

I have given many many gifts to people over the years. I love to do it. Some years my mind is sharp and the opportunities come to give gifts that really do impact people and help them feel known. Other years there is too much going on and I can't quite get into the right zone.

If you thought back through the years what would be the first gift you can remember receiving in your life? I know not everyone celebrates the Christmas season or lives a life of lavish gift giving. However I feel like most people have been given a gift and it does not need to be anything extravagant. A gift is a gift. 

A gift can be a compliment that you've never forgotten, a caring gesture that someone did for you when you were feeling unseen or unloved, a gift can be a kind look, a hug ~ a gift can be a flower growing through a crack in a cement sidewalk.

I hope today that you feel like you have lived a lifetime filled with gifts. There is so much power in gratitude which is what gifts give us the opportunity to flood our mind and soul with.

xo

Tansy

                                                                     My greatest gifts