I’m old enough to remember the catalogs from various retailers that would be delivered to your house in time for the holidays. I’d constantly scan the toy and electronics section, dreaming of what Santa might bring me. From the latest Sony Walkman to a giant stuffed dog, both were almost always out of reach budget wise. I somewhat knew this, but it was still fun to dream anyway.
As we get older, our idea of the perfect gift changes. The notion of one day a year being the limitation on which gifts are received is also thrown out the window.
Depending on your age, health and general outlook, a gift can be as small as a smile from a stranger when you’re having a bad day or a hug from a loved one. Both would have been insignificant when you were little but they loom large in our adult lives. There are plenty of adults who want the latest car, Fendi bag or Hermes scarf. However, unlocking the secret to happiness is understanding the gifts you receive on a daily basis that have nothing to do with material things.
Holiday commercials always make me laugh. The idea of someone buying a Lexus and putting a big red bow on it is both ridiculous and unrealistic. The last thing I’d want to do is head to a dealer and negotiate the price of a car around the holidays. If I did have to do this, it’s my sincere hope that the bow would be thrown in at no extra charge. Make me feel like I’m getting a deal on something.
It’s not just car commercials. Marketing a product is all about emotion. How can you be made to feel that you’re missing out on happiness by not having something? That’s the point. If you purchase said item and perhaps provide it as a gift to someone else, you’ll be happy by having provided it and they’ll be happy upon receiving it. This is true to a certain extent. My wife is thankful for a bracelet I bought for her ten years ago but it’s less about the bracelet and more about the sentiment behind it.
The best gifts, no matter how big or small, expensive or inexpensive, have a thought behind them while providing profound emotion. Although it’s not my thing, a Pandora charm bracelet is a great example of this. The charms are meant to evoke feelings of joy in the things that are important to you in your life. Whether that’s your kids playing soccer, your ability to bake or the fact you’re a Mom, all of these tug at your heart strings and show the outside world what you love about your life.
Do you need a bracelet or some other material object to fulfill you? I sincerely hope not. This would make for a pretty vapid existence. One that’s dependent on the next trinket that comes your way rather than the next kind word or gesture.
The holidays tend to bring out the best and sometimes the worst in people. Grown adults will act like children if they don’t receive the gift they were expecting or wanted. This type of behavior trickles down to the kids who will act equally disappointed, although they’re simply mimicking the behavior of adult role models in their life.
Recognizing the greatest gifts you already have will help you achieve considerably more happiness and fulfillment in your lives. Most of you reading this have a roof over your head, a vehicle that affords you freedom to run errands or go on a trip and food on the table multiple times per day. This is more than many others have. Giving thanks for your good fortune is a great way to experience happiness this holiday season.
It’s time to put down the catalog.
Chances are, you already have every gift you’ll ever need.
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