I think I have a knack for choosing appropriate gifts. I pay attention to what others like or talk about, and I care about getting something the other person would find useful.

Anyhoo, I had this idea when I woke (you know, I ask God for inspiration) about everyday gifts we can give to others that are easy, inexpensive, that show we care, and that the receiver would appreciate.

 

Simple Gifts That Show Love

Food

Do you know someone who doesn’t cook or can’t cook? Make something like soup or macaroni with sauce. Both are easy, and you can make a bunch relatively inexpensively and give them to that person or family. That’s a kind gesture of generosity. I know I’m very thankful to receive a home-cooked meal. If you don’t like to cook, ask someone out to dinner or offer to bring home something for dinner. You could even learn a few easy meals and impress your family or friends with your effort. The person who does the cooking will be very appreciative of the break, too.

Time

I bet most people we know would love more time with us. (Look at me betting. You know why? Those betting commercials are always on during the football games, and they got into my head!) There is something about being with a person (who you want to be with) – in person – that creates an energy connection and increases dopamine in our brains. Our way of life now seems to rely too much on texting and online interactions. I even text my husband while I’m upstairs, and he’s downstairs in our house! Years ago, we’d either give it a good hollar or walk downstairs to talk. Give someone you care about your time. It’ll make a difference.

Expertise

Share your expertise with your children, family, or friends. Each one of us has gifts and knowledge we can share with others. Get creative with this one. Listen to your kids, friends, or family. If they’re struggling and your experience might help, share it! And look people in the eye when talking to them. It shows your soul.

Kindness

I know this gift idea has received a lot of attention over the last several years because it’s so needed! It takes nothing to be kind. It is simply being nice to another person. Easy peasy pie. Let your guard down and be kind. It can make a difference in someone’s life.

Technology Lessons

If you know stuff about technology that might benefit others, share it. Why not offer your time to help an elderly person learn new technology? I’m referring to easy stuff like how to get photos off a phone and onto a computer, and then show them where to find them on the computer to reference later. Or how to change the ink on the printer. You’d be surprised how many older folks have cell phones and don’t know how to use them to their capabilities. And please don’t act like the computer guy on Saturday Night Live, Nick Burns. Haha.

Tissues

This is an “I’m thinking about you” gift. Stay with me here. Everyone uses tissues. I know we go through them quickly in our house. I find myself randomly sneezing, and I have to have tissues around so I can grab them fast. But think about it. A lot of people could use tissues, but do not buy them. Try bringing a few boxes of tissues to a person you know just to be nice. They might roll their eyes, but they’ll use those tissues and appreciate the gesture each time they use one.

Forgiveness

I have struggled with this for a long time. I used to think, how could I forgive someone who did something awful to me? That’s letting them off the hook! Well, I’ve since learned that when we don’t forgive, we harm ourselves. We carry hatred and resentment within us, and it’s like oil sitting on the top of the ocean after an oil spill. It’s messy and destroys life. We need to find a way to make peace with the pain by thinking that the other person was acting out their program, and that’s all they knew at the time. You don’t have to forget. Just forgive to release the pain. Once you can talk about or reflect on the situation without getting fired up and upset, you’ve mastered forgiveness.

Don’t ever be afraid to be generous or show kindness. Being a giver makes us wholly human, and the intent of our species was to care for one another. Let’s do that.

When we give, we receive.

Thank you for reading this. I hope I’ve inspired you. I’d love to hear other ideas on how you would gift love.

To showing love,

Francesca

 

Created by a human for humans.

 

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