My Christmas Tree 2010
Some people get so depressed about not being able to give gifts
during the holiday season that they might not attend a holiday
family function or if they do attend they are feeling so down that
they do not act like themselves.
It is very unfortunate and some people really need to be
verbally ‘let off the hook’ so they can get through the season and
the big day. If you know people in this situation give them the
biggest gift of all by letting them “off the hook” for holiday
present exchange.
From my experience- it really is one the greatest gifts
you can give to friends and loved ones. Just recently my mother did
it for me!
We had planned a trip back home to the East Coast months ago
-and then an unexpected move and other family obligations happened
so it just did not make a holiday trip feasible. I did not
want to tell my mother, in fact I dreaded telling her…but she
instinctively knew and she called and told me she understood.
It was the biggest relief of guilt ever this year and I appreciated
her knowing we wanted to come but yet it was too much of a hardship
to actually do it this year.
Eleven great things you can say in these difficult types
of Holiday situations:
Lisa Homemade Apple Pie
- We are focusing the day on the great food, our warm house, and
the pleasure of your company.
- We are focusing our own gift giving for the little children so
no gift is needed for adults and the children have plenty of gifts
to open.
- You have done so many things for us this past year that we just
want to celebrate in appreciation of you and everything we have
done together/been through together over the last 12 months.
- If the person insists on giving, you can make a great
suggestion of homemade gifts.
- I really love that ____ (food item) you make, if you would like
to make that, it would save me so much time and be the perfect gift
– plus it would relieve me of so much stress on Christmas Day!
- I really love homemade decorations and my tree/wall/man room
(or insert other appropriate relevant suggestion) really needs more
decorations.
- I really love old family/friend pictures if you have some to
share, I would love one or two as a gift for my scrapbook!
- I really loved when you babysat or walked my dog (or other
service the person has provided in the past) so a written gift
certificate (on notebook paper) would be just the
perfect gift and really give me something to look forward
too!
- If you have any books or magazines about _______ I would love
to have them as a gift.
- Please donate your time to a local charity in my name such as
the food bank or humane society. It would make me very happy!
- If you have any holiday DVD movies, we would love to have some
of them so we could have a family movie holiday! I will even make
the special holiday popcorn!
Many times people you know will express worries about
bills and items they need for their own families for the
holidays. There are many ways you can offer assistance and
resources:
Let them know you are giving them a gift certificate for a local
grocery store or department store. This lets them know that they
may have a cushion and allow them to buy for their immediate
family.
You can also suggest craft items that you have made in the past
for special occasions and let them know where to get supplies that
are reasonably priced. You may also let them borrow a sewing
machine or glue gun, beads, wood scraps and donate ideas that
you find on the Internet (lots of DIY sites) or at the local
library. This should help spark ideas and creativity!
If things are looking really difficult for family or friends try
to get them on a church angel list or point them to a website
called ‘2 Hands’. It is a website about one hand helping another
and is located at http://www.2hands.org/. You may even
offer use of your computer to help them get registered.
Also, Kitsap County has local resources that may be
available for utility assistance and food. You can print out this
list below and give it to them and offer a ride or even just
understanding of difficult times and let them know that they are
not alone.
http://www.bremertonschools.org/studentsfamily/services/Kitsap_Community_Homeless_Low_Income_Resource_Guide%20%282%29.pdf
The best thing you can say is “I have faith in you” and “I
love/care for you” and “We are looking forward to celebrating the
holiday with you.” “Be here at ___ time” or “I will have _______
name of person pick you up -so be ready for the day!”
Share your abundance and have a safe, warm and meaningful
holiday!
Lisa Jachimowicz
Suquamish/Poulsbo, Washington
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