With holidays and birthdays presenting themselves at least monthly, gift-giving is something that needs to be budgeted for, but even then, what if that budgeted amount is just too little?

I propose upgrading your gift-giving – that’s right, upgrade; give a meaningful gift. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll find a world of meaning in diamond earrings. Know what else I find meaning in? The love letters I saved from when my hubby and I were dating; a small card stating the facts about my daughter when she was born; our first family photo, my first Mothers’ Day – she was 4 days old. If I lost the diamond earrings (that I don’t actually own) I would be upset but If I lost the love letters I’d be heartbroken; there’s so much meaning behind them.

Five days after my husband and I were married we received a simple, framed 4×6 wedding photo as a gift. I would guess the total cost of the gift to be less than $5. I cried when I received it. To this day, it is the most beautiful picture I have from my wedding day. When you give something meaningful the value increases. 

The worth of something is not dependent solely upon it’s cost. Our gifts, our words, our actions, have the ability to move people. So, what can you do?

• Write something. I still write love letters and I still receive them. Do you write music, poetry, jokes?
• Make something. Make a card. Make a meal. Make a map of every meaningful spot in the world to that person. Good at drawing?
• Do something. Wash their car. Go for a walk. A picnic. The beach. A minor-league game.

Need to give a gift? How do you make it meaningful?

Why I do what I do ~ The man I love it getting on a plane in 3 hours to come home to me after being in another country for 2 weeks. It’s all I can think about. I miss him so much. (Dear Readers, I promise to lay off the ooshy-gushy love talk for a while after he gets back. Thanks for your understanding )

 photo credit: ginnerobot