I’m looking out my window at the first snowfall of this winter. The crisp white snow glistening against the colored lights and giant illuminated inflatables that adorn my lawn. The magic of the holiday season is upon us. And while this is my favorite time of the year, the truth is that magic isn’t really magic. That magic is actually carefully cultivated and delivered at the expense of someone’s time, energy and sanity. Mine.
Like most parents, I want my family to have the best holiday experience they can. Elf on the Shelf, trips to drive through light displays, a tree decorating party, cookie baking, gingerbread houses, gifts, you name it - we do it. And while I do enjoy those moments, it is often the other demands of the holidays that create unneeded stress.
The shopping and wrapping, holiday parties, holiday card photoshoots and mailing, teacher gifts, work parties and decorating the house. It’s exhausting and expensive. It is weeks and weeks of preparation for one day. And while I love seeing the smiles on my kid’s faces, I find myself completely depleted every January. Physically, mentally, emotionally and financially. I. AM. DONE.
Every year, my husband asks me what I want for a gift. For the last few years, I found myself struggling to come up with “things” just to have something under the tree. I don’t need more things. I need less. Less stress, less clutter, less things to worry about.
In 2019 we had started to exchange experience gifts. He loves music so I would get him tickets to see a concert. With my interest in wellness, he would get me gift certificates to Imagine Float! What I love about experience gifts is that it includes the added benefit of built in “me time.” This is about as luxurious of a gift you can get. The gift of time is one that allows me to slow down, eliminate distractions and recalibrate my relationship with me. In my opinion, this is more valuable to me than any material gift that may end up under my tree.
So, if you are struggling to come up with a gift for someone who “doesn’t need anything”, consider gifting them “time” for themselves…perhaps a gift card to Imagine Float ;) It’s likely the thing they need most but rarely get. And it’s a gift that will never go out of style.
Happy holidays,
Katie
Imagine Float, Wellness Blogger