Do you remember all of the presents that you received growing up? Do you remember everything, or even anything that you got just last Christmas, or for any other holiday or your birthday? I’m sure that you might remember a few things, but how about all of them? Do you remember who gave you those presents?
I remember sitting on the Teacup ride with my mom at Disneyland when I was about three feet tall. I remember planting a garden with my dad when I was about three and a half feet tall. I remember riding on the back of my brother’s minibike when I was about four feet tall. I remember a lot of good times with family and friends, but I remember only a few presents that I ever received and the person that gave them to me. I was of course appreciative to receive the presents, but they didn’t leave a lasting memory.
A friend posted an article on Facebook the other day about giving “handmade” as presents. While handmade is a great gift, I say that you should dump the present all together and instead give the gift of memories. Don’t buy a present, be the present.
Yesterday was Halloween. Thanksgiving is a little more than three weeks from now, and then Christmas a few weeks later. Many are now beginning to write their Christmas present list because the serious shopping begins the day after Thanksgiving. I have little time to get out my message, so be sure to share this. Seriously, use the “like” button on this post and then “share” it on your social media.
Wow, I’m digging into my memories to try to relay the value of memories to you, and I’m getting teary-eyed with what’s coming up. Ok, I’ll share. I remember that I did not do much with my grandparents. When it was time to visit them I was on chore duty to help them around the house. I remember that my grandpa was kinda grumpy, and he was heading out back to his wood shop and I started to follow. Mom told me not to follow, and grandpa told me to go back to the house. Did I? No, I followed. I remember that instead of him kicking me out of the wood shop, he instead lifted me up onto the workbench while he did his woodwork. I was young, and I don’t remember much more than that about that experience, but I remember that. I’m sure that grandma and grandpa gave me a present that year for Christmas, but I couldn’t tell you what.
Give your family and friends the gift of memories instead of giving them stuff. Go camping. Go to a play or to the opera. Plant a garden with them. Take them river rafting or on an epic bike ride. When you’re gone from this Earth, will your family and friends remember the gift that you gave to them, or will they remember the time that you spent with them?
If you have ideas for creating memories, please comment below.