ONE great gift...:Your Presence Present

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Graduations, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Weddings...It is definitely the time of year when major gift giving occurs. In our family we also have four birthdays within the next three months. Trying to find the perfect gift is mind boggling. While giving cash may always be welcome. It does seem like little thought and no effort really goes in to selecting a gift the receiver will find personalized with a cash contribution.

Maybe you have that dilemma too. What about giving Presence Presents...a gift of yourself for a particular occasion. Maybe a gift of taking the harried new mom out to a lunch or afternoon shopping, or visiting a relative and bringing a favorite dessert and looking through pictures together. Several years ago, I asked several members of our family to write a particularly special memory they had being with my mother and to send pictures with the replies.  I then made her a scrapbook with those photos and letters.  She was just delighted and I know I could never have given her a gift that meant as much by purchasing anything in a store or giving a gift card. It was more memorable spending the time with her as she read each letter. My mother passed away shortly after that and I was always grateful that she saw those letters before she was gone.


We might not realize how much spending an evening together watching an old movie or catching up on news can mean to someone. Someone who takes the time to give their presence to celebrate a special day may truly give the best gift ever.  Maybe a new graduate would love to have you spend time with them reviewing a resume and shopping for some "career clothes" or think about the father who might like to spend an evening with his children grilling dinner for him and sharing all their favorite moments. One of my dearest friends continues to tell me that her favorite gift was when I popped in with a birthday cake and some craft supplies on a day she never expected. Her birthday is around the Christmas holidays and is seldom celebrated just for her at that hectic time.  She always wanted to learn to decorate wreaths and so we celebrated her "half birthday" in the summer, complete with wreath making fun. Every time she selects that wreath for her door or wall, she tells me she remembers that great afternoon when she shared time with me and it was all about her.


Sometimes our children want just a day they can enjoy with us from breakfast to bedtime having fun hanging out together. A store bought present can never compete with your Presence Presents.  Give a gift of your time to someone next time your wonder what to get.


How about you?  What was the best gift that you ever received?