It’s the holiday season and many are making home coming plans. Home is the best place to be. What is the feeling of being home for you? You may find it in different ways (i.e., the existential psychology theory suggested four dimensions) -
Most families have more than one physical home – own home, parent’s home, in-law’s home, grandparent’s home, etc. We have different roles at these homes and we have responsibilities in our families. Family value is important in life. No matter where you are, go home for the holidays. Your family is waiting and welcomes you at home.
What is important for you to bring home?
1. Yourself. Take time off to be yourself and/or to be with your family. Your presence is the best present for your family, because you care for being at home with them. Be home as yourself (husband, wife, father, mother, son, daughter, etc) and treat yourself kindly with self-compassion. Leave your unfinished business behind and unload your emotional stress.
2. Your love and caring. Show your love and warm feelings, spend quality time with your family and love ones. Put down cell phones and turn off electronics and talk undistracted. Enjoy the time together and nourish the family bonding. Families who share life activities together form strong emotional ties.
3. Holiday spirit. Gift giving is a holiday tradition. We give gifts as a way of showing thoughtfulness, love and affection.
- Physical – The resource for comfort, relaxation and privacy, a physical location of home base
- Social – Belongingness, mother tongue language and culture, relationships and connections
- Psychological – loving, support, family attachment and sense of security
- Spiritual – the birth and resting place for the soul, church, temple, cemetery or your own space
Most families have more than one physical home – own home, parent’s home, in-law’s home, grandparent’s home, etc. We have different roles at these homes and we have responsibilities in our families. Family value is important in life. No matter where you are, go home for the holidays. Your family is waiting and welcomes you at home.
What is important for you to bring home?
1. Yourself. Take time off to be yourself and/or to be with your family. Your presence is the best present for your family, because you care for being at home with them. Be home as yourself (husband, wife, father, mother, son, daughter, etc) and treat yourself kindly with self-compassion. Leave your unfinished business behind and unload your emotional stress.
2. Your love and caring. Show your love and warm feelings, spend quality time with your family and love ones. Put down cell phones and turn off electronics and talk undistracted. Enjoy the time together and nourish the family bonding. Families who share life activities together form strong emotional ties.
3. Holiday spirit. Gift giving is a holiday tradition. We give gifts as a way of showing thoughtfulness, love and affection.
- Giving makes us happy. Giving to others activates an area of the brain linked with contentment and the reward cycle. Researchers have found a strong link between performing generous acts and personal happiness. Whether money or time, giving promotes happiness, draws us closer to others, and strengthens empathy. Giving promotes social connection. Studies show that when you give to others, your generosity is often continued down the line to someone else, or returned to you.
- Joyful receiving, with appreciations for kindness, is just as important as giving. Gratitude binds people together to share the joyful holiday spirit. Research findings suggest that positive emotions and rewarding mechanisms can function to reinforce and enhance the social bond, which is visible both at a behavioral and a neural level.
- Family reunion and friends connections are essential of holiday spirit. Even in the tough times, family and friends provide strong support.
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Gift shopping can be both fun and stressful. Each person is unique and each holiday is special. The best gift for someone is a needed or wanted something but not yet aware or realized. Gift ideas are not limited to the material or monetary value; be creative and mindful. Tips and ideas for gift shopping/selections: |
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- Make a list and get organized, start as early as you can.
- Determine a total budget and divide per person.
- Think of each person’s characteristics; be creative and personal; or make it simple, asking what the gift receiver needs/wants.
- Making it special by Do It Yourself (DIY) - handmade and homemade gifts may worth more than any market value.
- Go online for product research for cost comparisons and quality reviews; don’t get ripped off and be sure to read both the 5 star and 1 star rating comments.
- Buy online with one larger order if possible, for the benefit of volume discount or free shipping and avoid over crowed stores.
- Don’t buy useless items just for “mission completed”; consider the return hassle or money wasting on unused new items.
- If really undecided, don’t panic! Get a gift card - as Amazon has everything under the sun and the gift card will not expire, it cannot go wrong!
- If not sure what to give, the best idea is go for health and wellness to show your good heart. Health is the most valuable personal asset and knowledge is essential wellness resource. Share QualityLifeForum.net health coaching with your families and friends.
An experience gift can be special – get away travels, annual pass to museums or parks, fitness club memberships, or personal interests and services, i.e., art subscriptions, music or cooking classes tuitions, spa or beauty treatments, meal subscriptions, and many more. An important principle for gift selection is being practical and useful; do not waste money or resources.
Trust your smart decisions in holiday gift selection and experience the joy of giving without stress. Happy holidays to all!
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