Giving doesn’t mean spending money. There are many gifts that you can give that cost little or no money. One of the most meaningful gifts you can give to someone is giving the gift of your time. Even if you have all the money to spend, the giving of your time can make someone feel really special. As Susan wrote in Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway, “Time is something there never seems to be enough of, hence it is one of our most valuable commodities. It is also one of our most precious gifts.”
Here are some ideas for giving time instead of store-bought gifts.
Spend time with your loved ones. Arrange to spend some time with your friends or family members. This is especially important if you have elderly or young family. People may not remember the gift you bought them, but they will remember the time you spend together.
Volunteer your time at a loved one’s favorite charity. Even better, volunteer with them!
Cook and freeze a month’s worth of favorite meals for a young adult just starting out. Crochet a hat in your mom’s favorite color. Or maybe just pick one hour every week to be with a friend or loved one for coffee and a chat.
If your gift-receivers are the overly busy type, then offer to make dinner once a week or watch their kids for an evening. Maybe offer to run their errands on weekends. There are so many ways to help ease loved ones’ burdens by giving your time.
The best part about giving your time, besides the delight the receiver will have, is that giving of yourself helps you to get you in touch with your Higher Self. According to Susan, “All of these take you out of yourself and help you operate from a different part of your being—the part that is loving, nurturing, and abundant.”