The Gift of Appreciation: Parents, Here's How to Add It to Your Holiday Gift Giving by Roma Khetarpal

Some of us parents are looking forward to the holidays and some of us can’t wait for it to be over. Giving material gifts definitely does not come easy, thanks to busy malls, packed parking lots, crazy traffic, kids out of school, family flying in, prepping for holiday meals and wrapping a gazillion presents. As we all know, it can all get daunting and exhausting! 

So, here’s a quick, easy tip that costs nothing, doesn’t even require you to leave your house and serves as a stress-reliever, mood-lifter and happiness booster: the gift of appreciation! On each of the gifts that you are giving your children, add one – just one – phrase or sentence of appreciation:

• “Thank you for helping me pick Grandma’s gift.”
• “Your smile makes it all better.”
• “I’m blessed to have the gift of YOU.”

These quick notes will put a smile on your kids’ faces and also on their hearts. But the bigger gift is the one you will give back to yourself instantly. You will fill your own heart with warmth and put a smile on your own face, too. Appreciation truly has a boomerang effect – the feeling that you give out comes right back to fill your own heart as well!