Giving the Gift of Quality Time this Holiday Season
*This article was originally written in 2019. See below for creative ways to connect that are also Covid-approved.
Once I got past childhood, I became overwhelmed by gift giving during the holiday season—the stress of finding “perfect gifts” so I didn’t end up being “that cousin/aunt/sister” who gives the meaningless gift that takes up space until it’s donated or re-gifted always felt like it distracted me from the reason for the season. In many ways, I find the simpler my holiday routines are, the more I’m able to be fully present in the moment with those I cherish. Yet, I still feel the desire to show my loved ones how I feel without the stress of selecting a physical gift.
I think I’ve found what works best for me this year…….Maybe it will feel like a good solution for you too.
This year, as I prepared for my nephew’s birthday, I realized I couldn’t think of a thing he needed or wanted that he didn’t already have. Anything I could conceive of, would just be one more thing on the floor in my sister’s basement for some adult to step on or pick up. I was also acutely aware that my time to connect with this sweet boy who was turning double digits was growing shorter and shorter. With every passing year, the birthday parties, holidays, and family gatherings become more and more about friends and less about cool Aunts and family.
In my desire to connect with my nephew, I decided to ask him to pick one thing he would like to do together, and that would be his present. I couldn’t believe it when he chose to hang out at the Zoo with his Aunt Jodie. It was a terrific day of making memories. The one I loved the most was watching my sister hold on to her two boys while she lingered just a little while longer at the elephant exhibit watching the baby elephant play and nurse. She turned and whispered to me, “They just grow up so quick. I always want to remember this.”
“That was the BEST birthday present EVER!”
At the end of the day, as we parted ways, I received a text message from my sister that said, “On the way to the car, Parker said, ‘That was the BEST birthday present EVER!”
(I’m not crying, YOU’RE crying! :) Well, maybe you aren’t crying, but when a 10-year old as fortunate as this fella says going to the Zoo with family was the best present ever, I can’t help but get a little teary-eyed.
The older I get, the more I find myself wanting to make memories and have experiences with my loved ones. This year, I’ve had the opportunity to practice mindfulness and connection with a friend on the Bourbon Trail for her birthday, story-telling that had me laughing and crying in the space of a few minutes while celebrating my own birthday with a friend, enjoying the beauty of Yew Dell with my family on my birthday, and soon, my family and I will all enjoy A Christmas Carol together as our holiday celebration. These memories are priceless to me. They warm my heart in ways that a physical gift never could.
If your love language is quality time, I’d love to hear what fun experiences you will be gifting this season. Drop me a line in the comments.
If you have a loved one you think would enjoy yoga, Check out these options for sharing time on the yoga mat with your nearest and dearest.
2020 Addendum
2020 has definitely made spending quality time more challenging, but not impossible when you’re willing to get creative. In fact, I’ve had some incredible experiences in online yoga retreats (I’ve participated in 4 online retreats since March, and they have been life rafts in the stormy sea of 2020), outdoor adventures, and fire side chats this year than ever before.
We have many options for savings this season, but there are two that I’m especially excited about this year:
For our monthly members, you can purchase a month of unlimited virtual classes for just $45 for any of your loved ones and enjoy showing up each week to see one another on the mat.
20% off a 1/2 day customized private or semi-private retreat. These retreats can be enjoyed inside, in nature, or virtually. I can’t wait to share a memorable day with you and your loved ones.