The holiday season has officially launched so I feel justified in sharing a few corny-but-true facts about gift giving. Given the current financial stresses, notably in the Hollywood community, it definitely feels like time for a little “best things in life are free” reboot. Fortunately, they really are!
Much like the comeback of grilled cheese, with an infusion of fresh herbs, imported cheeses and homemade sourdough, I think it’s important to look at these best “free things” through fresh eyes. So here we go!
Five gifts for loved ones, and even ones you just like, that cost you nothing!
1. Listen. WILD THOUGHT, I know. But given how easily distracted we are - guilty as charged - one of the scientifically proven best gifts you can give another person is to listen to them. That’s certainly what the National Institute of Health determined after an extensive study. If you want to learn if a) you already have listening mastered and b) the impact it has on others, check out this video from Harvard B School! Or this one from the hottie of self-help Simon Senek. Speaking eloquently and sporting just the right three day stubble, Senek makes a very compelling case that listening is an art we should master.
2. Give a caregiver a break. Whether a new parent or someone taking care of a parent, the most generous gift is time to themselves. You could channel your inner arts and crafts enthusiast and create a voucher stating the number of hours you’re willing to relieve them! (If you’re not the crafty type, I’ve included one below.)
3. Introduce an artist, or music that inspires you. For example, I have a friend who’s obsessed with Shostakovich. I have never been a classical music enthusiast but his passion is so contagious, I snooped around on the world wide web and now I, too, have become a fan of his unique musicality and intense emotion!
4. Take the Haiku Challenge. In Albany, CA where my cousin lives, apparently they held some kind of haiku contest and lo and behold her haiku is on a street sign. My 85 - 98 yr. old memoir students also have a great time with the 5 - 7- 5 syllable poem task. What a very cool gift - distilling the essence of someone like this.
Here’s me:
Loves matcha lattes, and spending time with the boys, wants people to laugh.
Which brings to mind an important point about free gifts. Don’t leave yourself off your list!
5. The Gift of Appreciation - For Yourself! I warned you at the top this could veer into the corny - and this sentence delivers. But darn if expressing appreciation isn’t proven to help with everything from mental health to lowering stress in the body! My go-to stress reliever is by dancing. How many times can we hear, “dance like nobody's watching?” But how often do we get to see an 80 yr old legend taking this to heart? Check out Goldie Hawn here! And she’s drinking coffee to boot!
Since you made it to the end of this blog, I’m going to use a favorite comedy tool: the element of surprise! Despite supporting free gifts, as a bonus, here’s a list of 36 Best Self-Care Gifts from the NY Times Wirecutter experts. Yes, these cost money, but as those groundbreaking Loreal ads teased in the ‘70’s, we’re worth it!
