• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Amy Hoogervorst

Integrative Health and Wellness Coach

  • WHAT IS HEALTH COACHING?
  • ABOUT AMY
  • SERVICES
  • BLOG
    • FAITH AND SPIRITUALITY
    • MIND-BODY CONNECTION
    • MOVEMENT, EXERCISE AND REST
    • NUTRITION
    • PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
    • PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
    • RELATIONSHIPS AND COMMUNICATION
  • GET STARTED
    • SCHEDULE A FREE CALL
    • ACCESS FREE RESOURCES
    • VIEW ARCHIVED VIDEOS

Dec 16, 2015
RELATIONSHIPS AND COMMUNICATION

3 Quick, Personal Gifts You Can Pull Off Before Christmas

The days before Christmas are disappearing.  Is all of your shopping done?

I woke up this morning with some anxiety over that too, and it’s getting close to the time when it would be really easy just to resort to giving a gift card or cash. Some people on my list specifically asked for that.

But if I’m aiming not only to check a gift and recipient off of my list, but also find the “joy in giving,” a gift card or cash alone rarely satisfies me.

Can you relate? When looking at the people on my list, I like to think through what each might like to have, while also thinking through whether it is something I’d like to give. To me, personal gifts are the most meaningful and usually get a positive response. Photo gifts usually appear under my tree each year for a few people, and sometimes those even bring a happy tear.

But what can you do this close to Dec. 25 that is created from your heart and felt in theirs?

I have three ideas for you that don’t require much money or time.

If you’re like me and don’t find as much joy in giving a gift card or cash alone but that’s what your recipient wants, you could pair one of these with that to satisfy both giver and receiver.

1.       Write a letter.

My husband and I have letters and cards that our grandparents wrote us when we were younger, and it’s priceless to still have their words and their handwriting even though we don’t have them. In today’s fast-paced world, we rely on technology so much that a handwritten letter or story is even more special.

You can write encouraging words or share a story. Need a prompt? How about, “Here’s what I love/admire about you and wish for you in the year ahead, and why.” Or, “I remember this …… and my wish for you is …..” Or “Right now, I want to tell you ….”

The main point is to share from the heart. That is, after all, the point of the season: Love.

2. Make a collage.      

Pull out your scrapbook papers and tools, and find some extra ‘doubles’ photos that you have sitting around from days gone by. Or print up a half dozen photos that you have of your recipient. Use a 12×12 sheet of scrapbook paper and make a collage of photos and words that describe how you feel and think about him/her. Once done, you can find an inexpensive frame at a craft or discount store if you choose to frame it. You also can create this digitally if you’d prefer and print out at home.

3. Make a small ‘highlights’ album.

Don’t overthink this. As picture takers and album makers, we think we need the perfect album, the perfect theme, the perfect papers. Here’s a secret – we don’t. If you have leftover supplies, with generic paper and a few stickers, you can create something that will be loved, and it won’t cost you much money or time.

Use what you have.

Scroll through your photos and print out 12-36 of them. You can select one per month, or three per month, with a little more thrown in from really special days.

The result does not have to be worthy of going in the Smithsonian. Just do it. (You’ll also start the new year having pared down your supplies a bit.)

So who’s left on your gift list? What words of affirmation do they need to hear or read? What would they like to receive? And what would you like to give?

Please share in the comments below any other ideas you have for making a quick, meaningful gift in the few days leading up to Christmas. Do you have a photo you’d like to share, too? I would love to see it.

Welcome! If you’re new here and don’t want to miss a thing, be sure to CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE to the Faith & Sweat blog updates. Thanks for visiting!

Tweet
Share
Pin

Don’t Miss out

Join our newsletter to get all the latest!

Previous Post: « Thoughts on Doritos and Cream Soda
Next Post: Avoid a Health Sabotage this Holiday Season »

Primary Sidebar

MEET AMY

Hi! I'm Amy Hoogervorst, a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, integrative health coach, and creative entrepreneur offering grace and space for a healthier you. Read More…

Latest on the Blog

Coaching is a partnership between a trained, professional coach and a client who wants or needs to reach particular goals or boost their personal and professional potential. Image is of two people shaking hands in partnership

People typically have questions about health coaching, whenever I introduce myself as a coach. And often, depending on the time someone has to talk, the questions start out general and then move to the specific and personal. Perhaps you have a few questions yourself. So today, let’s take a look at some of these frequently […]

Let’s Connect

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Latest on Instagram

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefo "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit." - Aristotle

#mondaymotivation #habits #excellence #healthyhabits #quotes #consistency #doyourbest #dontworryabouttherest #backontrack #graceandspaceforahealthieryou #integrativehealthcoach
How have you been wanting to challenge yourself ph How have you been wanting to challenge yourself physically? 

Being physically active can improve your brain health, help manage weight, reduce the risk of disease, strengthen bones and muscles, and improve your ability to do everyday activities.

But it's important to build in rest days, too. Taking regular breaks allows your body to recover and repair. Otherwise, you may risk overtraining and injury, or burnout. Rest days could mean chilling on the sofa or engaging in more active rest - taking a gentle walk, foam rolling, or practicing yoga.

What's your schedule of exercise, physical activity, and rest look like this week? What positive effects will that have in other areas of your life?

#letsmove #nctraildays2022 #run #walk #hike #rest #healthyaging #runningofthebulls8k #weekend #graceandspaceforahealthieryou #physicalactivity #letsgo #integrativehealthcoach
These English peas were so good, they're getting t These English peas were so good, they're getting their own post. 

First, shelling them took me back more than a few years to when I would shell butter beans and black-eyed peas alongside my grandmother and look forward to our supper together. 💚 We all have memories and associations attached to different foods. What are some of yours? How do they show up in the choices you make around eating?

Second, these peas were delicious and simple, boiled for one minute and seasoned with real butter and salt. What a gift! It's garden season, y'all. What are you most looking forward to preparing for yourself this summer?

#gardentreasures #eatyourveggies #communitysupportedagriculture #nourish #nutrition #connections #peasinapod #integrativehealthcoach #graceandspaceforahealthieryou #shellingpeas #eattherainbow
A tiny slice of May, worth a pause, before we rush A tiny slice of May, worth a pause, before we rush ahead to June. What's something you want to remember and take with you from May? What's something you want to do differently in June? What will it take to start?

#graceandspaceforahealthieryou #pause #reflect #celebrate #beginagain #nature #nurture #nurtureyourself #letsmove #letseat #letssleep #letsrelax #letsdothis #springinnorthcarolina #integrativehealthcoach
Follow on Instagram

Tags

accountability anxiety best self books challenge choices coaching dreams exercise faith faith and sweat fitness friends goals habits health health coaching healthy eating healthy food healthy lifestyle holidays inflammation memories mindful mindfulness mindset movement nutrition perseverance personal growth PhotoOrganize Me photos recipes resources rest self-care sleep social media stewardship stories stress sugar wellness what i learned Youngevity
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • DISCLOSURES
  • CONTACT
© 2022 Amy Hoogervorst - All Rights Reserved

We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings.

Amy Hoogervorst
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.