13 Gifts That Don't Cost a Cent
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"Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon's Colonnade." (Jn 10:22-24)Most certainly, Jesus understood the significance of the eight-day Jewish celebration of Hanukkah which today includes gift-giving, dreidel spinning, and special foods like latkes. This year Hanukkah, or the Feast of Dedication begins at sundown on Friday Dec. 12, 2009. You can read the history of this delightful Jewish winter festival here.
At Christmas, we’re accustomed to receiving a pile of gifts on a single day. Imagine the fun of spreading your gift-wrapped frenzy over a whole week like the Jews do during Hanukkah. (Maybe you’d like to try it!)
Since we’re all living more frugally these days, here are 13 gift ideas that won’t cost you a cent.
1. The Gift of ListeningBut you must REALLY listen. No interruption, no day dreaming no planning your response. Just listening.
2. The Gift of Affection
Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back and handholds. Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for family and friends.
3. The Gift of Laughter
Clip cartoons. Share articles and funny stories. Your gift will say, “I love to laugh with you."
4. The Gift of a Written Note
It can be a simple “Thanks for the help” note or a full sonnet. A brief, handwritten note may be remembered for a lifetime, and may even change a life.
5. The Gift of a Compliment
A simple and sincere, “You look great in red", “You did a super job" or "That was a wonderful meal” can make someone's day.
6. The Gift of a Favor
Every day, go out of your way to do something kind.
7. The Gift of Solitude
There are times when we want nothing better than to be left alone. Be sensitive to those times and give the gift of solitude to others.
8. The Gift of a Cheerful Disposition
The easiest way to feel good is to extend a kind word to someone, really it's not that hard to say, Hello or Thank you.
9. The Gift of a Phone Call
Pick up the phone and call (or e-mail) an elderly relative that you suspect might be lonely.
10. The Gift of Gratitude
Notice and appreciate the loving gestures of even the youngest in your circle.
11. The Gift of Tickling
Most of us won't admit it, be don't we love the special attention that comes with tickling? Initiate a ticklefest with your kids on the floor in your living room.
12. The Gift of Song
Sing (or whistle) a few bars of your spouse's favorite song.
13. The Gift of Story
Watch for big smiles as you relive a family outing by telling a short descriptive story of that memorable event.
Via this post. Feeling social? Check in with the friendly Thursday Thirteen bloggers here. This article is also linked at Mama Buzz and the Carnival of Family Life
(final edition).
Photos: Christine & Eric (Flickr)
Up Next—What if the First Christmas Never Happened?
Do you have a creative idea to addto this list?
7 Comments:
What a lovely list....I tend to add affectionate teasing to the tickling one as sometimes tickling can be torture to some but I always feel loved when I am teased.
Quite different to taunting...people seldom bother to tease you if they have no affection for you.
beautiful list.
fantastic list... affection is on the top of mine for dear ol'mr. C! lol
a great list but....i do have a problem with the tickling one...many children (or adults who are survivors) of sexual abuse or physical abuse do not tolerate tickling well...it is often one of the first ways a "pedophile" will ("innocently" altho that is NOT the word that I really mean)touch a child. It is often used as a lure. Perhaps we could replace that with finding out the person's love language and meeting it in an appropriate manner....just a thot :)
I LOVE all these ideas!! (other than that one!)
ozjane: I wish I'd known this as a teenager! I used to hate being teased... but you're SO right: "people seldom bother to tease you if they have no affection for you."
Gina: Thanks, and nice to meet you. :~D
Amydeanne: I'm with you!
Faith: Thanks for the heads up. It's tragic to think about what goes on behind closed doors in some homes. I'm sure you run into unpleasant and difficult situations through your public school teaching job. Bless you!
I assume most of my regular Christian Mom readers are OK with tickling. BUT, you raise a very good point. Some of the readers who google this post might be offended, or even influenced negatively.
This is a fairly popular repost, and you're the first person to bring this up. I do appreciate your honesty and concern. :~D
I love this post of priceless gifts. Thanks for sharing them. I myself don't approve of commercialized Christmas.
Nice A: I wonder if Christmas in your home country (Thailand) is even more commercial than here in the US? Have you been here yet? Thanks for stopping by Chrysalis today! :~D
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