Today's post is from guest blogger Cindy Cragg, home stylist for WILLIAMSBURG®, williamsburgmarketplace.com, the lifestyle brand of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.
Now that it’s the beginning of December, I guess I need to start formulating my holiday gift-giving plan. Truth be told, I’m a bit of a last-minute gift buyer.
On the other hand, I can usually expect a call from my grandmother no later than July 1 to ask for gift ideas. Extreme? Maybe. But the ways that we go about expressing appreciation for the people in our lives are as diverse as the choices of “stuff” to buy them.
We all know people that seem to give tons of presents to everyone they know and then there are the “minimalists” that have a short gift list and you can count yourself lucky if you’re on it!
How we evolved to being such prolific gift givers, I’m not sure. In the 18th century it was customary for gifts to be given only from a master or parent to a dependant, child, apprentice or servant. Gifts were simple and practical, most commonly cash (some things never go out of style!), books, sweets and alcohol.
The giving of gifts was not reciprocal so kids and house servants did not exchange presents with their parents and employers, as we often do today. The main purpose of this tradition was for superiors to offer a small token of appreciation for a year of hard work and service.
Teleflora's WILLIAMSBURG bouquet teleflora.com/williamsburg.asp is a simple, thoughtful gift.
I take us on this short walk down history lane because I think there is a timely message here. Sometimes less really is more. A box of homemade cookies, a small bouquet of flowers, or some chocolates – rare is the person that wouldn’t appreciate the gesture behind a simple, thoughtful gift. When you get right down to it, how many gifts does it take to make a friend or loved-one feel special?
This year I am going to veer from my usual course of action. Instead of giving many gifts to a few family members, I’m going to make a list of people that make my life easier or more enjoyable to live and, in keeping with the 18th century tradition, express my gratitude with a small gift.
Reaching out to all the people that make your life a happier place, in whatever small and meaningful way you choose – that’s what the holiday season is all about!
