As soon as we enter fall, whenever my kids start asking for something, I suggest they put it on their Christmas list, and I try to make a mental note to remember it myself. If I have my phone handy, I’ll put it on a list I keep year-round to collect such ideas.
Then, when family members start asking what the kids want for Christmas, I should be able to pull up the list and have a lot of ideas. That’s usually when I realize I didn’t note as much as I thought I did, and I start racking my brain for all those great ideas of needed items we had a month ago.
I’d much rather my children receive gifts of things they need and would appreciate instead of more stuff that tends to accumulate but no one wants to dispose of because it was a gift.
In addition to noting gifts, I’ve been doing some gift giving this fall – from wedding gifts to gifts of appreciation to gifts of support for illness and injury.
In an instance with my 10-year-old daughter’s class, I witnessed one of the greatest lessons in gift giving. Their teacher is out on an extended sick leave. To cheer her up, the class was brainstorming ideas on gifts they could send her. Initial ideas involved making a purchase of some sort, but trying to collect money from each student was going to be a challenge. Instead, it was suggested each child write a letter to their teacher. This gift didn’t involve money, it would be simple to do, and a personalized message from each student would be more cherished by the teacher than anything that could be bought.
As you look to celebrate the holidays with your farm team this year, remember it’s not about how big the festivities are, but in how much you value and appreciate them. Think of giving a gift that fits a need, like gloves or warm socks, to help get through the cold winter. And don’t forget to pair it with a personalized message. Compliment each employee with a couple of sentences on what makes them a valuable team member. My guess is they will appreciate the sentiment more than the gift itself.
We’re always told “it’s the thought that counts,” and isn’t that why we give gifts? To show someone we’re thinking of them? A gift doesn’t have to be big and fancy. A gift that fills a need will be appreciated, as will one with a personal message.
And don’t forget that everyone needs dairy products. If you can’t remember that great gift idea you had a couple of months ago or you’re still stumped on figuring out what to get your friends and neighbors, I encourage you to consider delicious dairy products. Wrap it up with a personalized note, and you’ll have one great gift to give.
