We all know way too well Christmas is the best time of year. It is a heart felt time with family and friends playing Christmas music and eating cookies. The best feeling is spotting that perfect gift out for someone special and waiting to see their reaction.
However, we, as Americans, posses so much stuff and if you are a broke college kid, gifts do start to add up. Here are 7 ways to give something other than gifts this Christmas season.
1. Time
With the holiday season being so busy, time can be a valuable gift for anyone who needs it in their life. In fact, giving time to your parents, siblings, or grandparents can be the most valuable gift of all to give them- especially when returning home from college.
2. Love
This one can go with time. A good gift to give your family would be to show the love you have for them. Hanging out as a family and talking around the table, having a family movie night, or baking cookies together could be perfect ways to show your love for your family members this Christmas.
3. A Day Off For Mom
Every mom deserves a day off after a long year of running around doing errands, working, and taking care of you. What a perfect gift to give them – the gift of peace of mind and relaxation. A great way to show all your appreciation for all they do. Maybe make them breakfast or do the dishes after the Christmas dinner, either way, giving them time to themselves might be the most rewarding gift of all.
4. Gaining Those Precious Hours
This one, going without saying, might be the best one yet. After a long hard semester of waking up early for classes or to make the deadlines this is the perfect way to reward yourself and everyone else by getting those extra, must needed, shut-eye hours and sleeping in.
5. Experiences
Experiences can be more valuable than any gift under the tree. Maybe taking a day trip or even a mini-vacation can prove to be more fun and bring more joy than a materialistic item could. You can give the gift of memories with experiences and memories can last a lifetime.
6. An Act Of Kindness
We like to think we do this all year round but how many of us stop and give food to homeless, or even hold the door open for someone behind us? These could be little, but impactful actions to take this holiday and could help brighten someone's day.
7. Cleaning The House
Lastly, an oldie but a goodie- helping to clean the house. Nobody likes to set the table, cook the meal, and then clean up as well. A great Christmas gift could be eliminating that last step and cleaning up for mom or dad. This one they will not see coming so better yet it will be a nice surprise that will make you feel accomplished knowing you gave them something they did not expect.
The seven ideas listed are more valuable than those material gifts you find in the stores and should be given all throughout the year. These can be precious moments given to anyone to brighten their day and to help spread the holiday cheer around this Christmas season.