by Eileen Lighthawk
Gift giving is a natural human expression of Love. Babies often spontaneously share food and toys with others long before they can walk or talk. Even animals bring gifts to one another, and to humans they trust.
Many December traditions include an element of gift giving.
In modern society, there is outside pressure to purchase gifts, and sometimes a dirty little undercurrent which implies that love or worth can be measured by cash spent, or that real affection can be purchased with a credit card. Our eyes and ears are bombarded this time of year with corporate definitions of “the perfect gift.”
Yet our hearts are wise.
Giving has existed in our hearts long before dollars and television and the internet and glossy full-colour print ads.
Today, I’d like to invite you to think about gifts you were given that cost little to nothing in dollars, but were / are of tremendous value to you.
And perhaps you can think of gifts you’ve given that meant a great deal to someone else.
The other day, I was cleaning, and I dusted off this funny little ceramic bluebird of happiness. It is old and, 
from an objective viewpoint, maybe even a little ugly. The bird is puffed up, the way birds puff when they’re cold. The proportions are off. And for a bluebird of happiness, it doesn’t really look very happy. It was made in Japan back in the day when cheap crap was made in Japan instead of China. And I love it. For over 35 years, it has moved with me from home to home, perching on altars and dressers and windowsills in cities, in the country and in the wilderness.
This pudgy little bluebird was a gift from my mother. She purchased it at the local “five and dime,” and she probably paid about a dollar for it. (I think this because I remember spending 72 cents one year to buy her a ceramic elephant at that same store.)
Like most mothers and daughters, my mother and I did not always see things the same way. But she loved me. And when I left her home at an age she felt was far too young, she gave me this little bluebird, as a reminder that wherever I lived, she wished me happiness. It certainly is not the most expensive or elegant gift I’ve ever received, but here it is, in my life all these years later, still making me smile. I received many other wonderful gifts from my mother, and this silly little bluebird reminds me of those intangibles.
There are other gifts I have saved – Cards & letters from people sharing their hearts, I love yous printed in crayon on construction paper, poems, photos, a recording of the voice of a friend who left his body, feathers, stones, shells…
No matter how many feng shui books you’ve read, I bet you have some items like this, too. I hope you do.
There are gifts that can’t be purchased for any amount of money. Treasures we value. Values we treasure.
These are things one could never declare on an insurance inventory; things that will remain with you long after the physical form disappears.
+ Think about these gifts right now, and ask yourself:
What do the people who love you most want from you?
Time?
Attention?
Respect?
Freedom?
Encouragement?
Heart-centered communication?
The gift of being fully present?
The gift of listening?
Heart-felt gifts are a way of saying to another, “You matter.”
I’ve started a list of priceless gift ideas, and I’d love to have your help in growing this list.
Please share below your ideas of non-commercial gifts that have tremendous value:
* Write heartfelt letters of gratitude and appreciation – not just thank you, but WHY you appreciate this person.
* If you have an older friend or relative with lots of photos, scan them all onto a DVD.
* Give the gift of a favourite family food with recipe, ingredients and a cooking lesson.
* Offer a car trip to view holiday light displays to someone who doesn’t get out much.
* Schedule in one-on-one time in a new location with a friend or family member.
* Include children in acts of giving to others.
* Create a weekly family night where you cook together and then play a game or read a book together, a few pages at a time.
* Help someone with the gift of your time.
Babysit for a young mother.
Visit someone who is house or hospital bound.
Help a friend with chores.
* Give the gift of your skills.
Handy? Do some little home maintenance projects for someone who is not so handy.
Good with graphics? Create business cards for someone who’s launching a new venture.
Great at organizing? Offer to help a disorganized friend.
Hem a pair of pants, paint a room, polish a resume, wash some windows… you get the idea
* If you’re a traditionalist:
Interview family elders. Record or write their stories to share with other members of the family.
* If you’re a modernist:
Hook up electronic equipment, and patiently teach non-tech-y people how to use their new devices
(without any sighing, eye-rolling or snide remarks 
)
* Double up on errands
Call a neighbor before you go to the grocery store or post office. Perhaps you can save them a trip.
* Double up on cooking
Making a batch of yummy veggie soup? Double the recipe and give some away.
* Share what joys you
I learned this from Alexandra Stoddard. Gorgeous sunrise? Snap a picture and share it.
Potting narcissus so you can have flowers in the winter? Plant some in a second pot and give to someone who would also enjoy flowers in the winter.
Discover a delicious new blend of tea? Send some to a far away friend.
Hear a great new song on You Tube? Send a link to a music-loving friend.
* Connect people
I have a friend who is a master at this. You know a lot of people who don’t know each other. Often those people have something to offer one another, gifts and talents that could benefit one another. Just tell wonderful people you know about other wonderful people you know. Email makes this easy.
* Do you know what services and shelters are available to the homeless in your area?
Many homeless people don’t. Do a little research. Type up your list, maybe even draw a little map, and make several copies.Give this list along with the gloves or fast food gift certificates or sandwiches or whatever you give to street people.
* Other gifts that cost no money but can mean a great deal to someone else:
Genuine Compliments
A Smile
A Hug (if / when appropriate. Some people are uncomfortable with hugs)
Thoughtfulness. Hold doors for others. Help with daily tasks.
Kindness
A Listening Ear
Respect
great site, i like it. greetings.
I LOVE this list. Can’t think of a thing to add.