Put Magic Back into Holiday Gift Giving
Chances are you will be purchasing a few holiday gifts sometimes between now and December 24th at 6:00pm. We all want to give the people we love and care for something thoughtful as a token for how much they mean to us.
Over the years I received many gifts from family I didn’t need or want. I was gracious and also frustrated that our society’s over commercialization had resorted to gift giving for the sake of offering an item to someone with ‘X’ amount of value.
In 2002 I had the pleasure of spending Christmas with my Grandma Margaret. My husband and I woke up Christmas morning and looked for her in the guest bedroom. She had a hard time making it down our stairs herself, but that morning she was downstairs sitting right beside the twinkling tree. We don’t know how long she had been there, but she seemed content to be experiencing the magic of Christmas another year.
I remember well her authentic happiness as she opened each gift. When we finished, she spent the rest of the afternoon playing Big Band CD’s on a new CD player my father bought for her. No matter who you are, music has the power to take you back in time. Grandma told me stories of her life that accompanied the music tracks she played. She was a young child again on Christmas day. At 83 years old Grandma died less than three weeks later.
It was after that Christmas that I decided to stop purchasing gifts for the sole purpose of having a gift under the tree for someone. I started placing a lot of thought into what I purchased for my family and closest friends. The funniest thing happened the next year and beyond. I also stopped receiving gifts I didn’t need or want. Somehow my intention influenced others without me saying a word.
One of my favorite Christmas gifts in recent years took me completely by surprise. The year I launched my interior design business my brother-in-law and his new wife sent me a book on advanced color techniques. They wrote on the inside, “Congratulations on your new business. We wish you much success.”
Does it seem counterintuitive for an interior designer, who makes her living from clients investing in their spaces, to discourage haphazard gift buying? I hope not. I am offering you this story as a lesson from my Grandma. Treasure everything you receive at every moment, and put love into everything you give.
Angela Todd Designs offers a unique gift idea for the person in your life that has everything. This holiday season you can give someone you love a One Day Room Transformation package for $549. The gift is thoughtfully packaged with a full color hard bound book showcasing homeowner transformations, accompanied with a one day room transformation certificate. The book is packed full of before and after photos we have completed. We have also included lighting, color, and accessory ideas.
If someone you love enjoys HGTV and room makeovers on television, they would definitely be thrilled to bring this experience to a room in their home. (Sorry, this package price is reserved for homeowners within 30 miles of Portland, Oregon.)
If you are reading this post and would like to be given a one day transformation package as a holiday gift this year, simply ask or direct your loved one to this blog. Husbands particularly LOVE direction when gift buying.
This holiday season I encourage you to be thoughtful and creative with your gift giving. It brings the magic back to the holiday season.
Angela Todd
Owner & Principal Designer
Angela is the principal designer at her boutique interior design firm in Portland, Oregon. She is known for creating memorable backdrops that tell the story of fascinating and intricate lives.
