Let Those We Love Know We Know Them

Every year stores and parking lots overflow with people moving about, hunting for 'that perfect gift'. For some, it is about finding a bargain appearing to cost far less than usual, for others money seems no object, and for all it is about letting someone know how special another is to us and how much we care and love them, letting those we love know we know them..while businesses lure us to spend and purchase in their havens of 'stuff' on line or in store.

Don't get me wrong, I love stuff!  But isn't it just nice when someone knows what your favorite cookie or dessert is and personally takes time to bake it for you?  I'm not sure if Beverly (a customer service rep I worked with at Lowe's) misses me or Carrie's Merry Cherry bars I brought to share there more at this time of year! (She tells me she misses me, but always refers to Carrie's bars and goodies I regularly brought in...hmmmm).

The best gifts come from someone discovering something we use and enjoy with great regularity, giving me some 'on them'.  It could be a bag of one of my favorite coffees (whole bean) or one of their favorites to remind me of them (I like coffee).  It might be a bottle of relatively inexpensive red wine (the only kind I drink) that they find I enjoy, or they like offering for me to enjoy, serving as remembrance of who blessed me with it.  It could be that perfect shirt, the kinds I will wear because they know my taste (all cotton with fairly bright colors, the best ones with matching/aligning pattern along the buttons and pocket(s)).  But also, if we think back, the best and most memorable gifts were ones that surprised us, because they knew us, giving us something we never would have asked for but opened up hours of wonder and fun!

Gift giving, to me isn't about how much it costs.  In fact it is more challenging and fun to find the perfect gift that doesn't cost much but lets the other person know you know them, without asking what they want, just noticing what they could use and who they are, adding a touch of yourself because you picked out something they would actually use or wear.

I find great joy when I purchase a top for my wife, seeing her wear it with great frequency because she looks good in it and likes it.  When I finally tracked down a tea that is one she really likes, I buy it for her.  But it took time and willingness to work on the discovery.  At first, in our early years, I would buy her clothes and she'd return a lot of it.  Partially because they didn't fit, but mostly because I missed some mark in style or color.  But I continued and honed in my understanding of her taste and colors.

When shopping with her, I hear things like, doesn't this look like "?" (one of our kids or friends).  She is a great shopper.  She knows those she is gifting...and I have learned much from her.

This next year, I am on a mission.  I call it 'mission observation'.  The point?  To find out and discover what people, the people/family in my life, enjoy with regularity; what they wear (sizes and styles), where they like to eat, go and do.  I am thankful and blessed with so many amazing, wonderful friends and family members!  If we all take just a little more time in the observations, the quests, the understanding of each one on our giving list, maybe next year we can each 'nail' the perfect gift...and it won't break the bank, but will let those we love know we know them.  I could always use another bag of whole bean "Roast & Toast" Toasted Almond coffee (I always make the drive whenever I am visiting my mother-in-law), or "Lion" Chocolate Macadamia (having just purchased a few bags on my most recent trip there) and you can order it online.  I wonder what simple pleasures you might enjoy?