The holiday season can be more than a little stressful. At this time of year, it’s easy to get caught up in the chaos of buying gifts, preparing travel plans, and getting ready for all sorts of parties and events. If money’s tight, there’s the added strain of choosing the right presents for all our friends, family members, and coworkers, while being extra mindful of costs.
As great as thoughtful and even expensive gifts can be – most people just want to know that they’re valued. So, this year, consider showing them how much you care by giving the most meaningful gift of all: your appreciation.
Tips for Showing Appreciation
Appreciation is all about showing the people in your life why they’re important to you. To start, consider asking yourself the following questions:
– What do you value most about your best friend?
– What is it about your kids that you really admire?
– What do you love best about your spouse?
– How does your co-worker or your boss make your job easier and more fun?
Your answers are key to understanding what it is you really appreciate.
Expressing our heartfelt gratitude for the important people in our lives can be a bit vulnerable and uncomfortable at times. And yet, it’s essential for creating the types of authentic and meaningful relationships we desire.
Appreciation helps us deal more effectively with the stress and strain of our day-to-day lives. It’s at the heart of healthy families, successful teams, productive communities, and more.
If you’re looking to show your appreciation this holiday season, consider these three simple tips:
1) Write a Heartfelt Thank You Card
This holiday season, consider taking the time to write gratitude cards and give them to the people who matter most to you – both at work and at home. Let the people around you know how they’ve impacted you in a positive way. Try to express your appreciation genuinely, specifically, and personally. You can give the card as a gift in and of itself, or attach it to a more traditional present if you want.
2) Give People What They Really Want
Giving people what they truly want is another simple way to demonstrate how much you value them. Show the people around you that you’re really listening to their wants and needs by giving something specific that they’ve asked for or you know they definitely want. It doesn’t have to be expensive—it just needs to be personal to them. If you don’t know where to start, don’t be afraid to simply ask them directly.
3) Give the Gift of Time and Service
Show up for the people who matter most in your life—literally. Instead of buying them a gift, consider giving them a call to ask if you can help them with anything. It might be a project they’ve been putting off, or an errand they’ve been procrastinating on. Either way, show them how much you care by scheduling time to get it done on their behalf or just to connect with them.
Give Meaningful Gifts Filled with Appreciation
This year, consider giving a gift that doubles as an expression of your true appreciation. Not only will it make the holiday season more memorable, but it’ll also have a real impact on the people who matter most to you.
Appreciation is the best gift we can give at any time of year, and especially this holiday season.
What do you appreciate most about the people around you? Aside from buying presents, how can you show your appreciation for the most important people in your life? Share your thoughts, ideas, insights, actions, and more in the comments below.
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I like this. I have truly learned to focus on what is present as opposed to what is absent or missing. The only time I need contemplation, is when I must consider whether the appreciation I have for someone’s qualities or being, overrides the unacceptability of the severity of their less finer qualities. If unacceptable behavior is paramount and persistent, I must set boundaries and/or remove myself. However, it is highly possible to maintain appreciation for their finer qualities, even then. This is a state birthed from self-love. How I appreciate myself is exactly the level at which I am able to appreciate others.
Thank you Mike. I appreciate you.