4 minute read
The Best Gift Will Always Be Time
BY KERITH WADDINGTON
As the holidays approach and the pressure to purchase “just the right gift” builds, it’s helpful to reflect upon the history of gift-giving, why we do it and how it makes us feel.
First, what exactly is it?
A gift is an item or act of service given voluntarily from one person to another with no expectation of payment or anything in return.
Gifts are given to honour an occasion, to show favour to someone or to help someone out. They are remarkable in their ability to strengthen or establish our connection with others and are a reflection of both the giver and the receiver and the relationship they share.
A good gift makes the recipient feel cared for, loved or appreciated and has nothing to do with cost. Indeed, we are all aware that the quality of a present is measured by the emotional state it evokes.
The history of gift-giving is as old as humanity itself and has been intertwined with social customs, religious beliefs and economic systems throughout history. Early humans exchanged gifts like tools, rare rocks and food. Ancient Greeks would gift visitors to their homes in case they were gods in disguise. And the ancient Romans gifted wax candles, clay or edible dolls, fresh cheeses, preserved fruits, oranges and lemons to one another during festivals in December and January. Sharing has always been an important mode of human expression.
Even though Christmas traditions have evolved over the thousands of years that Christmas has been celebrated, the exchange of gifts is one element of the holiday that has remained constant. We are all aware, however, that the commercialisation of the festive season can detract from its enjoyment, which makes it the perfect time to reflect upon a quote by Joel Osteen: “The greatest gift you can give someone is your time, your attention, your love, your concern.”
Indeed, you can always make more money, but you can’t make more time. Each of our lives is finite, so how and with whom we choose to spend it matters. As such, more and more people are opting out of gifting items during the holiday season and instead are gifting time. Sharing activities like baking cookies, decorating the tree, playing board games or going for a walk together creates warmer memories than receiving the latest tech under your tree. So, too, does sitting down to a tea and a chat or shovelling out the drive for an elderly neighbour who’s stuck at home.
An added perk? Sharing time enriches the gifter’s life as well as the recipient’s.
There is an organization in Ladysmith that is the embodiment of this spirit. The Ladysmith and District Credit Union (LDCU) has a volunteer policy designed to both encourage and reward staff for their personal commitment to community service.
Under this policy, employees who volunteer their time to support local initiatives or charitable causes will receive two hours of time off for every hour of personal volunteer work they contribute. This approach not only recognizes the valuable impact of their efforts but also supports a healthy work-life balance.
“We believe in fostering a culture of giving back and are proud to offer this incentive as a way to celebrate and encourage our staff’s dedication to making a positive difference in the community,” said Michael Robinson, marketing manager for the LDCU.
Volunteers from LDCU have helped with Ladysmith Days, the Festival of Lights (and the parade), Old Time Christmas for Kids, the Rotary golf tournament and the ever-popular Show ’n’ Shine.
Quieter initiatives include Christmas for Families, where staff donate and volunteer to help raise funds to support some families in need during the holiday season, and the Fraud Awareness Seminar, which was “strictly for the benefit of the community,” said Robinson.
There is a lovely saying that “happiness is not about getting all you want; it’s about enjoying all you have.” And a sense of community is perhaps one of the greatest things to have.
Robinson had this to add: “Volunteering matters because it allows us to make a difference in ways that go beyond ourselves. … It reminds me that even small actions can have a meaningful impact, and it helps me stay balanced when everything else feels uncertain. Volunteering gives me purpose and a sense of connection in a time when both are needed most. I truly enjoy working at LDCU. It’s a joy to work with people that care and are invested in our community.”
In these times, when everyone is stretched thin trying to make ends meet, reflecting on what really matters and choosing connection over consumerism can help us find real joy during the holidays and throughout the year.
