Holiday Gift-Giving: The Best Gift is Love

It's that time of year when everyone is in the gift-giving mood; the best gift to give is love, although a tangible gift makes some people feel good. I witnessed this miraculous gift while living/working in Alabama a few years back. A tangible gift may make you feel good, but knowing that you are loved and thought about carries you a long way. After all, they say it's the thought behind the gift that matters.

While covering a Christmas Holiday Party at a local Nursing Home in Washington County, Alabama, I became overjoyed and overwhelmed at the many responses the residents gave when I asked them how they felt about their families coming to share this special time with them. And believe it or not, this made me look at gift-giving in a different manner. Of course granny would love a new sweater, but just having you there to spend time with her is a gift that will last a lifetime!

Don't get me wrong, it is traditional to give a (tangible) gift as well, but visit your elderly family members, and give them the gift of presence.

When you take time out of your busy schedule and visit your elders, be sure to have enough time in that busy schedule to sit down and have a conversation with them; ask them how they're feeling and what interests they have about what's going on in the world; You'd be amazed at how much insight and opinions they have about the current events. I can remember a time when I was discussing the war (Freedom Iraq) with an elderly man, and it was quite interesting how he compared today's war with the Korean War. I was totally taken back and had my ears pinned to his mouth (not literally). Think about how they have 'been there and done that', and can truly give insight on such matters, socially.

While there visiting, help them around the house; many times our elders are not capable to do small tasks like change blown light bulbs, do any dusting, or even clean the bathroom and kitchen areas like they used to (we have to remember that they aren't as young as they were; leaving them a bit unable to fend for themselves at times). I'm sure there are plenty of things around the house that needs attention, even if they say that it isn't-Trust me! And even if there isn't, try to still do things: vacuum, mop, rearrange furniture...okay, I may be getting a bit out of hand, but the idea is still there for you to grab and place in your very own fashion of helping out.

One most appreciative thing would be to cook their holiday meal; but not just cook it, cook it in their own kitchen-I'm sure they'd enjoy that....having the aroma of a home cooked meal floating in their home would leave a lasting impression, I'm sure!

Regardless of how you do it, just do it! Give the gift of love this year-Give a little bit of time, care and consideration...and Have a Happy Holiday!