'Tis A Gift: 3 Considerations For Giving-Season

A friend of mine took her sweet godson to Target to help him shop for a Christmas gift for his mother.

As the 5-year-old wandered the aisles, he suddenly ran ahead and squealed “That! That's it!”

He jumped up and down, excited that he'd found the perfect present for his beloved mother. “It's so pretty! She's gonna love it!"

What was the object that he just knew would make his mother's dreams come true?

A toilet brush.

He didn't know what he was looking at, but he saw that it had a long pink handle, and a brush like she used on her hair, and was shiny and new. He wanted it for his mother.

My friend tried to suggest other gifts, but he could not be dissuaded. She thought about explaining to him why it was not so special, but she couldn't bear to see the glimmering hope in his eyes fade.

She bought the toilet brush. He beamed with pride at his choice.

She secretly warned the child's parents ahead of time to prepare themselves, that it was very important that they not laugh when his mother opened her present.

His mother smiled big when she unwrapped the toilet brush, exclaiming, “I LOVE it! It's so pretty!” She hugged her son, and his father patted him on the back for his thoughtful gift.

Her godson thought he was the one giving a present that day, but my friend was the one who truly gifted him with something special.

We're in gratitude season, and gift-giving season is mere days away.

Three things to consider in this season's gifting:

1) Buy local, and buy experiences/services.

Research shows that people enjoy experiences more than “stuff," and local-purchases (with massage therapists, local artists, personal trainers, neighborhood restaurants, etc.) help the local economy exponentially more than giant online companies. Think of it as a high-five to your fellow small-business owners (a “We're all in this together” moment).

2) Think about a gift or card you can send your clients, and/or the folks who've referred clients to you, and/or the folks who've been encouraging to you.

Gratitude is powerful, and this is a great moment to express it (plus, follow up is powerful for your business). Take the next 5 minutes to decide what you'll do, and mark your calendar to get it done before the mad rush.

3) Think of a little gift you can give someone today.

Buy coffee for the person behind you in line. Put a nice anonymous note in your neighbor's mailbox. Give a 50% tip to the server/barista. It'll soothe your soul, and brighten their day.

Let's make giving fun this season. Hit reply and tell me one thing you plan to do to enjoy it.