Are you looking for the PERFECT gift this
holiday season? Lately we've been
hearing a whole lot about Black Friday, Cyber Monday, etc. etc. sale after sale, results in tons of frantic
shoppers looking for the BEST gift they can find for their loved ones. The stress of contending with packed shops
and malls is nothing compared to the stress we put on ourselves to get our kids
an amazing gift.
Well, what would you say if I told you that
your efforts, while admirable, will be fruitless? If you find yourself looking through
catalogs or lining up at stores for the “in” toy this holiday season, you are
going about it the wrong way!!!
Recently I read and shared a great article
that talked about the Gift
of Not Giving a Thing. I loved what
this article was all about. If you
haven’t read it yet, you should, but if you don’t have time, here’s a summary: You don’t need to buy anything to give a great gift. The best gift you can give is your time. Long after your kids forget the stuff you got them, they will remember the stuff you did with them.
But if you are like me, you also derive great joy in watching the
excitement on your children’s faces as they unwrap those gifts! So, what do we do?! Well, challenge yourself to give your kids
gifts that have family time embedded in them.
A great example of this is actually something my mother-in-law did for
my son for his recent birthday. Instead
of buying him a toy, she took him to a concert.
He not only loved the concert, but will forever remember that his
grandmother was there to share in the experience with him. (Warning: bragging
session about to begin) And, it wasn't just any concert it was a reunion
concert for Sharon, Lois and Bram, who haven’t performed together in years! (If
you’re curious to see what that looks like, have a look at the picture
included!)
But if you are like me, you also derive great joy in watching the
excitement on your children’s faces as they unwrap those gifts! So, what do we do?! Well, challenge yourself to give your kids
gifts that have family time embedded in them.
A great example of this is actually something my mother-in-law did for
my son for his recent birthday. Instead
of buying him a toy, she took him to a concert.
He not only loved the concert, but will forever remember that his
grandmother was there to share in the experience with him. (Warning: bragging
session about to begin) And, it wasn't just any concert it was a reunion
concert for Sharon, Lois and Bram, who haven’t performed together in years! (If
you’re curious to see what that looks like, have a look at the picture
included!)
There are countless ways to embed family
time into your gifts.
Your
son wants a new sled... give it to him with coupons he can exchange for rides
down the hill with Mom and/or Dad on board.
Your
daughter loves cars... get her a model car that you can build and paint
together.
Your
nephew wants to be a doctor when he grows up... give him a doctor kit and be
his first patient.
The point here is that a toy is just
stuff. Stuff is never enough, UNLESS you
use the stuff to create opportunities to connect with the child. Get on his/her level, play with him/her, this
is the GREATEST GIFT YOU CAN EVER GIVE!
Your time. Long after that stuff
is broken, lost or forgotten about, the memories you created together will
still be there.
Happy Holidays!
Written by: Mitch Zeltzer, December 2, 2013
Dynamix: Team-building for Kids and Teens, since 2002.
Dynamix: Team-building for Kids and Teens, since 2002.
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