The Gifts that Count

By Ashley V.

2020 has really made us take a good hard look at our lives and what matters most. Personally, I don’t care about getting the latest and greatest technology for Christmas or a new sweater; all I want is to hug my family. A hug, which was something so little just a year ago, is now more meaningful than anything else. It reminds us of what the holidays truly mean. When it comes down to it, spending time with loved ones is something we can no longer take for granted. Supporting our neighbors and community members is now more important than ever. Let’s remember this holiday season that it is not all about gifts; it’s about cherishing our loved ones and supporting each other through these difficult times. So this holiday season, let’s give gifts from the heart. We wanted to provide you with ideas of how you can give gifts that not only sustain our emotional/mental wellness but bring back the true meaning of the holidays. Plus, these gifts are good for the planet, which we are totally down with #bonuscombo.

The most valuable thing you can ever give someone is your TIME. It is our most precious finite resource here on Earth and giving someone your undivided time, and attention is a gift that is often overlooked. I am talking about putting down the phone, turning off the TV, and spending some good quality time with our loved ones. We might not be able to do it in person, but we can still remotely spend time together. You never know how much someone might need that human contact and undivided attention during these stressful times. So even though it might seem inconsequential to you, you never know how much your loved ones might appreciate it. 

When did giving cash develop such a negative stigma? Many people assume that if you get cash as a gift, someone didn’t put any time or effort into getting you a gift. Is that really the case? I don’t know about you, but I work hard for my money, and I do not freely give it away. When it comes down to it, if I am going to get someone a gift, I want to get something that they will value and love and use repeatedly. But sometimes, it’s tough to know what that item might be for someone. So by giving them my hard-earned dollars, they can get what they truly want. It is especially important to understand that many people in our families, communities, and worldwide are struggling financially right now. Many people could really use cash to keep their lights on or food on the table. Many of these people might not be broadcasting to their loved ones how hard they are struggling. So, when it comes down to getting someone a gift, you could get them a sweater that will most likely not fit them or their style, or you could give them cash that they can use for items they need to get through these difficult times. 

Not everyone is comfortable giving their time or cash, so how about giving gift cards to places you know they will use? Let’s support our local restaurants, shops, breweries, wineries, and local attractions by getting gift cards for our loved ones to visit these fantastic places. We have so many excellent local establishments in Wisconsin, and we should be proud to support them this holiday season. These local businesses need our support now more than ever, and it feels good to know that we are helping our communities. Giving them a gift card allows them to get what they truly want at these restaurants, shops, wineries, and breweries. When people get to choose what they want, it reduces waste on our planet, helping everyone become more sustainable.

Give the gift of the outdoors! Get your loved ones a state park sticker. I think this year highlighted how important it is for our mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing to spend time outside connecting with nature. Plus, it allows us to spend time together and be socially distant. Let’s show our support to the Wisconsin State Park system as they have helped us keep our sanity these past several months. The greatest part about this gift is it keeps on giving. It can be used every day of the year and gives us access to so many special places all across our state. 

Can’t break the habit of buying physical gifts? Then look to local businesses first. Let’s keep our money in our local economy and support small businesses. Just because it is easy and convenient to order off Amazon does not mean it should be our only option. There are so many wonderful shops all across our state that offer unique, hand-crafted, one of a kind gifts. Let’s get our loved ones something truly unique, and not something that anyone can buy off of Amazon. 

This holiday season, look past the fog of trinkets, do-dads, and let’s be honest, junk, and get gifts for our loved ones that count. Let’s show them how much we love them and that the holiday season is about more than just gifts. If we take away anything from this past year, it is that life is short, so let’s spend quality time with the people who mean the most to us. 

Actionable Tip: When shopping for gifts this holiday season, really think about what the person truly wants or needs this holiday season. It has become so ingrained that we need to buy physical presents to demonstrate our love for our family, but that is a warped thought. Show them with your words and actions, not what you buy them.