This Gift Guide Does Not Have Product Suggestions

This gift guide could actually be the start of a gift that keeps on giving; a well-tuned-in heart.

Even when I’ve had very little money to spend, I found ways to give meaningful gifts that make people smile and feel special… but better yet… feel understood!

To know that someone holds you in a special place in their heart is one of the most beautiful gifts in the world to receive! This guide is to help you express those sentiments at anytime… especially during the holidays!

 

It’s not about the gift… Well, it is, but it isn’t…

To give or receive a gift is initially about the gift, but there is this amazing opportunity for a gift to become a channel of sentiment.

As you begin to imagine what to give a person, connect with the emotion that you feel for them: love, passion, appreciation, admiration, tenderness, fondness, adoration, care, intrigue, fun, elation, etc., etc. It could be that you experience several of these and more!

 

 

Connect with the Person

Although the holiday season does tend to focus us on the material things; we are also reminded to connect.

Gift giving is a bit of an art, like interior decorating. If you hire an interior decorator, they don’t just put together a room how they would like theirs to be; they (should) observe you, the colors and patterns you use often in your wardrobe and the lifestyle you lead.

The best gifts are not what you want to give to another person… The best gifts are all about the recipient.

 

Sounds good, but how do you really know what to give?

Sometimes we are too close to people to really get a perspective on who they are and what they want. Don’t believe me? Go through the following inquiries… I guarantee you’ll learn something new about the people who are closest to you! (And learn how to give a great gift in the process!)

 

What’s their “Love Language”?

The Five Love Languages is an ever-helpful book written by Dr. Gary Chapman. The principles in this book can be used in all kinds of relationships and encounters, even with children and I have found it helpful in business too!

In the book Dr. Chapman illustrates how we each have two primary “Love Languages” with which we like to communicate and especially to receive our messages of love. They are:

* Physical Touch

* Words of Affirmation

* Acts of Service

* Receiving Gifts

* Quality Time

While writing this article I took the quiz again: it’s been quite a few years since I last did it and I wanted to confirm my Love Languages. My top 2 Love Languages are Acts of Service and Receiving Gifts.

Take the Love Language Quiz for yourself and even ask your loved ones to take it. Or, at least through taking it yourself you’ll get an idea for what may be their primary Love Languages.

 

Another way to figure out their Love Language is

Observe what they tend to give more often. We tend to give what we like to receive. It’s natural that we subconsciously think that others will appreciate what we like.

Also, what do they complain about:

* Physical Touch: Why don’t you touch me? Hold my hand. Or they are particular about how they like to be touched.

* Words of Affirmation: You never say you love me! (This may be exaggerated but feels true to them.) Tell me I’m doing a good job for once!

* Acts of Service: Would you just help out! I do all the work around here!

* Receiving Gifts: I can’t wait for my birthday, at least I know that I can count on a gift then!

* Quality Time: Why can’t you take some time for us?