It is that time of year again. A time of family, gift giving, holiness and deep gratitude. This time of year is tricky for me, as I know it is for many others as well. I love giving presents. I especially love when I have given a person just what they wanted. I’ve read their mind. I’ve given them what they thought they would never receive, the perfect gift. In that moment I feel so connected to that person. Their happiness and joy is palpable. I’ve come to realize, however, this is not how gift giving usually turns out for me. Most often the present I give is received with graciousness, but lacks in that meaningful connection. How do we get that joyful connection in our relationships through gift giving? It is what we most desire during this season of presents.

Gifts I love to receive are homemade and speak from the heart of the giver. I love a gift of time with a loved one even more. Spending time with someone I care about is a wonderful gift of presence. The meaning behind the gift is about our relationship, not about a material object. This year give presence to those you love and minimize the presents. Presents don’t give love or affection.