Gift-giving during tough times, especially holiday times can be a tough deal! Let’s face it, everyone’s strapped, the economy’s suffering, people have less to spend, it’s harder to make a buck. You want to give as much as you can, your budget may be limited and telling you otherwise. Cost of living is higher, food, gas, higher education are at all-time highs. People are working harder, changing careers and trying to survive in a down-economy. Personal and business obligations take over and there’s less to go around. The thought of over gift-giving can be a daunting proposition, for some. For others, holiday gift-giving is an obligatory or heart-felt tradition that they can afford, or go into debt for.
Family, cultural and religious traditions differ, with similar ends in mind during the winter holidays. The value is placed on what is received; the act of giving is more about getting the right, appropriate gift. Sometimes, the label, cost or location where the gift was bought is valued too. Reality is, many stores carry similar or identical products. There are good buys and expensive buys when shopping. Better to get a good or great buy than feel like you over-paid or spent more than you could afford. Be a smart shopper, save and spend wisely to make room for all of the important things and people in your life.
Bottom line is that it doesn’t really matter what gift you give to someone. What matters is that you give it from the right place. When your intentions are pure, you give from a place of giving, a place of peace, joy. Giving to another can be a joy when you give from a place of loving within your heart. If you are honest and well-meaning, what you give will be enough. Your good intentions and moral character will come shining through!
Any way you slice it, there are just so many pieces of the pie you can cut up and serve out. Shift your attitude! Enjoy the holidays as a time to give from you, share your time, love, skills as a way of giving to others. Spend what you can and be creative and thrifty when you shop. No harm in that. Thriftiness is the new cool!
Give to yourself, too. Make sure that you create a balanced, workable plan so you get what you need while you give to others. Get enough rest and use your down-time for rejuvenation and introspection. Give yourself your basic (and some special) needs so that you give from a well of fullness, rather than a pit of depletion. Give with intention and intentionally receive what others are giving to you. Live Inspired!® Nina~ www.LiveInspiredwithNina.com