When you do something nice for another person, it not only makes their day brighter but you are also positively influenced and your mood is lifted, as well. This weekend I was gifted a bag filled with some of my favorite things: lemon-scented hand cream, a beautiful ceramic bowl, a lemon candle and a darling little tin which was filled with lemon drop candy. It was not only a gift of kindness but a gesture of true thoughtfulness. It took some effort to gather specific things that I would truly enjoy receiving. Not a random hodgepodge of “stuff” but items I actually love and will put to good use.
I am the first to say that generally anything with a scent is a “no go” because smells are highly personal, but LEMON hand cream and a high-quality lemon candle is the perfect scent choice for me! I am an avid cook and a beautiful ceramic bowl serves a multiple of my different needs. The decorative tin of candy made my eyes dance and my heart race – no kidding! I have had a hard time separating the items and putting them away because the display of all things lemon is too happy a visual to hide. This has probably been one of my favorite gifts!
Here are a few gift-giving tips to help with your next occasion, or a “just because I’m thinking about you.”
Make It Simple and Considerate
There is no surprise, my friend Janci is equally as considerate in all things she pursues. Her selections were not generic but explicitly chosen with me in mind. The feeling of someone caring is a powerful gift in itself. A thoughtful gesture not only brightens a moment but can potentially brighten a life. So many people are feeling the stress of the quarantine and a simple note, a phone call or a heartfelt package (filled with lemons) can change immediately change someone’s outlook. We can all remember our mom or dad saying, “It’s better to give than receive.” The positive vibes work both ways. Mahatma Gandhi said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” There is scientific proof that giving of yourself and doing good for someone else has a lasting and beneficial effect on the giver.
Price Does Not Matter
If you are skipping a gift because you think it doesn’t have enough currency behind it, think again. The most precious gifts are those from the heart. A collection of seashells, a painted rock, and a potted plant from your garden are beautiful gifts. Another good friend recently gave me a jar of organic coconut oil and a bag of old fashioned popping corn with handwritten instructions on how to pop it, attached to the bag. I had to think about it for a minute because I am a pro at tossing a bag of Orville Redenbacher popcorn into the microwave and 3 minutes later I’m happily getting kernels stuck in my teeth. The thought of popping corn on the stove (the old fashioned way) was somewhat overwhelming.
It also conjured up memories of my childhood: the pot we put oil in, the apron my grandmother wore, the smell of the popped corn in the kitchen and the feeling of anticipation while the corn made crackling sounds as it cooked on the stove burner. I reminisced of a time in my past that was both happy and melancholy. One bag of popcorn is all it took to take me back to a sweet and tender time in my life. Most of all, it makes me grateful to have friends who care enough to make a personal and thought-provoking gift.
Pay It Forward
What can you do for someone this week that will fill their heart or make them smile? Gratitude is not only powerful but it is also free. By paying it forward, you set the stage for someone else to keep the wave going and continue to spread joy. I have two very sweet colleagues who really practice what they preach. Karen Hickman and Debby Burchfield are a couple of the kindest souls you will meet. They are true joys and both are role models for civility. I am grateful for their support and proud to call them my friends. Two more long-distance friends, Norm and Bernice, are beacons of sunshine and support. They have become a part of my extended family and I have become a part of theirs. Interestingly, it might surprise you to learn I have never met any of these special friends in person, but their gifts of kindness (and Bernice’s cookies) have made an impression on my heart. I am grateful for their continued gift of friendship throughout the years. Gifts come in many forms and the most valuable gift you can give another person is the gift of kindheartedness, one that touches another person’s soul.
You might also like Christmas in July 2020. For more of Diane’s etiquette tips read her posts on Inc., subscribe to her articles on The Huffington Post, “like” The Protocol School of Texas on Facebook, and follow her on Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter.
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