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Written by Karen D. Swim
“I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.”
–Maya Angelou
The month of December often moves at a frenzied pace as we close out the year in our work and personal life while simultaneously planning and participating in holiday festivities. It is also a season earmarked by giving, so it seems appropriate to choose giving as this month’s theme. This month we will explore:
- Giving to self with gifts that nurture and replenish
- Giving of self in life, and business with time, ideas, inspiration and attitude
- Cause related giving and holiday traditions
- The special non-monetary gifts of the season
- …and more.
In this month of celebration, many feel burdened by giving. Financial and time pressures make it a time of stress and tension rather than liberating freedom. Combined with the real or imagined pressures of giving the “right” gifts to family members, friends and colleagues can have you decking the halls with prozac instead of holly.
John D. Rockefeller, Jr. famously said, “Think of giving not as a duty but as a privilege.” The liberation of giving comes when gifts are given lovingly and well. Ditch your “musts” and “shoulds” and give because you can and want to. This season should not feel like one long obligation. Do not be shy about discussing gift giving with family or colleagues.
Many are struggling with tighter budgets this year and would welcome the opportunity to participate in the season without guilt. Start fun new family traditions that are less financial pressure for everyone such as baking together, making handmade gifts, or trash bag Santa (buy gifts from $1 discount stores and place them in a bag).
Gather your colleagues at work and discuss holiday gift giving. Agree to remove the pressure of gift giving by doing something for others. Suggest raising money for a local charity, sponsoring a toy drive or blood drive or volunteering in lieu of gifts to one another.
Presents are wonderful but the true memories of the season are laughter, love and friendship. Keep that in mind this month and reclaim the joy of the season.
I am looking forward to this month and the joy of giving and sharing with you. Stay tuned also for a special announcement about a BIG celebration. No peeking, all will be revealed in time. 🙂
Live well and laugh often!
Karen
Karen Swim says
Alex, I love and your family’s approach! Gift giving is supposed to be fun not the joy sucking ritual retailers have created. I hope this year that more people rediscover the simple joy of the season.
Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome says
“Ditch the musts and shoulds”
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
With my friends and family, we have a gift-giving policy that’s based on – give something only if it really speaks to you. In other words, I don’t buy gifts for the sake of buying gifts. I do so when I see something and I think “wow, that would be perfect for so-and-so.”
It takes off the pressure and makes gift giving fun rather than an obligation – because seriously, who wants to be obligated this time of year?
Karen Swim says
Brad, simply and beautifully stated and so true! Giving from the heart is so often lost.
Karen Swim says
Ulla, your attitude is so wonderful and gracious and you have clearly tapped into the true spirit of giving. It should be from the heart and the value of the gift is in the spirit it was given not the size or monetary value.
Karen Swim says
Joanna, I can hear and see the grin on your face. You were my inspiration for this month’s theme and between you and Rosa Say, I just may do themes for all of 2009! 🙂
Karen Swim says
I have had these discussions in the past and people were relieved. Gift giving at work holds particular challenges but so often people fear appearing to be a grinch by suggesting not giving. I promise to do a special post for employees with suggestions that can be forwarded. 🙂
Brad Shorr says
Karen, My feeling is, when we give from the heart the value of the gift takes care of itself.
Ulla Hennig says
Karen,
In general I try to avoid to say “I have to” – and replace it with “I want to”. And this applies for giving gifts as well. I want to give somebody a gift because I like him or her and I want to show my feelings. I don’t have to – I have given up the formal giving of gifts “because he or she has to get something”. No, it is my free will. And often small things are appreciated – a selfmade coupon for going to the movies together, or a candle, whatsoever.
Joanna Young says
Ooh, themes at Words for Hire, I like it. Especially this one 🙂
Footyman says
How true!
Christmas does bring on the additional financial burden, which we often think can be liberated by the annual bonuses 2-3 months down the road!
And certainly that’s gonna shrink for most of us. In fact, to be able to keep our jobs is probably a blessing!
Thanks for the suggestion on lower gift budgets with colleagues and loved ones. I am sure everyone feels the same, it just take someone to start the ball rolling. If we are shy to start discussing, we can forward your post to everyone!