Thanksgiving is BY FAR my favorite holiday. In my world, it has the best food, best weather, and it is a 4-day weekend filled with leftovers, shopping, and family. Add gifts showing gratitude and appreciation to that list, and I wish every day could be Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving Gifts
For those of you who didn't read the Vanilla post, this bears repeating: If you are like me, you have a long list of people you want to celebrate during the holidays. It is a time of year when we are filled with thankfulness and so we start to reflect on all those who make our lives better. In fact, I am a HUGE fan of Thanksgiving gifts. Neighbors, teachers, co-workers, hair stylists, delivery folks, are all on my list. And if you are a leader in a corporate environment, Thanksgiving gifts for your team are the best! As if you needed more convincing, my reasons for loving Thanksgiving gifts:
There is no expectation of reciprocity. Thanksgiving is not a gift giving holiday - so there is no expectation that they have something for you in return! It takes the pressure off of everyone and is just about showing appreciation that they are in your life.
No one feels like an obligation. Gifts for Christmas are often expected. Unfortunately, it lessens the significance of the "you are important to me" message - because there can be a question of, "was this because you wanted to? Or because you HAD to?"
It creates a lasting impression. Giving a gift when it is the only gift they receive will allow it and your sentiment to make a bigger and lasting impression on the recipient. If you wait until December, you might be one of five other gifts received that day - nice, but you might not get a reaction that reflects your effort.
The only reason is appreciation. Religious/Cultural significance for the December holidays can be tricky to navigate with folks you want to celebrate who may have different beliefs than you. I am a Christian, so Christmas is easy for me - but I know it is a challenge for some people who are important to me. While giving a gift that is in alignment with the recipients beliefs isn't difficult (seriously, you can give Hanukah, Kwanza, gifts even if you don't celebrate them), you avoid this altogether at Thanksgiving.
No guilt over a smaller price tag. Often, smaller, less expensive gifts - a token of appreciation and gratitude - mean the most. So often we have self imposed feelings of guilt for not spending more (especially if they are getting us something) and that doesn't happen when the significance is gratitude. Customize with each person's favorite color, scent, quote, etc. and a small gift can have big impact.
The first person I ever remember giving Thanksgiving gifts, was my aunt. She would often (not always) walk into our family Thanksgiving with a beautiful basket of something - cross stitched ornaments, mini loaves of banana bread, etc. and every person got one. I was just a child, but to me, it was the most thoughtful gesture - a piece of herself given during a holiday about thankfulness. That feeling was the inspiration for my favorite Thanksgiving with my team at work. That year, I made 4 varieties of homemade Chex mix, put it in pretty packaging and let each member of my team select the flavor they'd like. They still talk about it and (I'm told) hope for it every year. I don't think it is actually the food they want though, it is the joy that comes from unexpected acknowledgement and appreciation.
I'd love to hear about any gift you received for no reason and how long ago it was... I'd also love to hear about small gifts that have made a big impact on you.
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