When I think about the holidays, food, family and fun are at the top of my list. But, gifting is also part of the tradition. Whether you do grab bags, spend hours agonizing over the perfect gift or hit the malls on Christmas Eve, we all know we get more joy from giving than from receiving.
[See: 11 Healthy Holiday Gifts.]
Still, holiday gifting can a frenzy. We buy, we sigh and sometimes look at the bills — and cry. But then, all the excitement is over. So this year, I’m proposing a different way of approaching the holiday: By giving gifts that keep on giving every month of the year, rather than one barrage of presents. Here are 12 ideas that allow for fun long after the holidays are over and don’t have to be labor-intensive or expensive:
1. Enjoy tea time.
I love the idea of a pot of fragrant tea (herbal or regular, black or green) shared with a friend. Just put together a pretty teapot, sturdy mugs and loose tea in a tea ball or fun infuser to provide the opportunity to sit, share and relax. The gift is so much nicer than dashing in for the grab-and-go coffee cup that you wind up ” gulping all the way.”
2. Cook together.
For many of us, cooking can be one more chore after an exhausting day, but cooking with a friend is different because it gives you time to chat and chop. Make it easy with a starter kit of pasta, beans, tomatoes, herbs and spices for a stew, soup or chili. For added enjoyment, make a lot and portion out the rest in individual containers for the future. In the giving spirit, take a meal to someone who cannot prepare a meal.
[See: 10 Healthy Meals You Can Make in 10 Minutes.]
3. Clean a closet.
Offer to help your best friend get rid of the stuff — clothes, shoes, jewelry and accessories — she no longer wears. Honesty is key here. Help her throw away what doesn’t look good, or what she never wears. Spread the joy by taking outfits in good condition to organizations that supply clothes for those looking for jobs.
4. Plan a “selfie day.”
Bath salts and a scented candle are all you need to give friends or family members a luxurious moment they deserve. Or, have some fun with a female pal and experiment with a makeup color wheel, felt swatches or lipstick samples.
[See: 8 Ways to Relax — Now.]
5. Get your read on.
With your eyes away from your screen, open a book and read to a small child, someone with impaired vision or someone who can no longer hold a book but truly delights in the written word. Not only is this a gift of time, but it’s also a gift of companionship.
6. Lend an ear.
Being someone’s support system doesn’t cost a cent, and the payback is a feel-good moment for you and a feel-better moment for your friend. Being able to let go without someone saying, “I told you” is the present of your presence and unconditional support.
7. Give the unexpected.
Sign up for a race, art class or cooking class. Dare yourself and share the challenge with someone else. The new and sometimes scary is a lot less intimidating when you don’t face it alone.
8. Dance.
Maybe you and a friend are secret fans of “Dancing with the Stars” or “So You Think You Can Dance?” Do tango, swing, square dance or samba sound tempting? Take a class with a friend. You can try it together and be partners if need be.
9. Play with dough.
Making bread is a good upper arm workout, smells wonderful, is a great stress reliever and you’ll have something to eat. Plus, the aroma of freshly baked bread is chicken soup in a roll.
10. Swap to shop.
Retail therapy can be fun, but costly. Instead, shop each other’s closets. You’ll end up with new wardrobes without spending a dime.
11. Volunteer.
Sign up with a friend to give the gift of your time in a community garden, pet shelter, food pantry or senior citizen center. Putting a smile on someone’s face (or a wag in a pup’s tale) makes you feel great.
[See: 7 Ways Pets Can Make You Healthier.]
12. Give a care pass.
Everyone has tasks and appointments that are frightening, upsetting or mentally draining. Offer to be the companion to a friend who is having a mammogram, dealing with elderly parents or facing difficult meetings with an attorney. An unbiased third party who is just there to offer a hug, tissue or smile can make the most arduous task a little less so.
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12 Healthy Holiday Gifts That Keep on Giving originally appeared on usnews.com
