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Issue #10 - December 10, 1999
HOLIDAY GIFT GIVING - Some Better Ideas!
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Brought to you by Laurie Riddell Geary, M.Ed., Coaching you to get your life
IN GEAR by making shifts, getting unstuck, finding balance and re-alignment, accelerating your growth, and mapping the best route to your chosen destination: your perfect life.

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500 subscribers by Y2K! If you like this broadcast, please pass it on to someone you think may like it too. Currently I have about 360 subscribers
(10 new people this week)
My goal in one month is to reach 500! Thanks for your help.
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READER FEEDBACK:
Hi Laurie,
I particularly appreciated last week's newsletter. It gave me a chance to send all of my sisters and brother a message about what Christmas really means to me. Thank you for your good and generous gifts of sensitivity and caring and wisdom.
Blessings,
Diana Owens

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HOLIDAY GIFT GIVING - Some Better Ideas!
 

Last week's article dealt with criteria that make for HAPPY HOLIDAYS; GIVING (& RECEIVING). Giving gifts was one of those criteria. It is traditional to give gifts during the holidays, yet how many of us get caught up in the material aspect of giving? What is the purpose of gift-giving? I think of it as a way to show someone you love/like how much you appreciate their presence in your life. You are giving presents for presence!
But does a gift have to be something you buy? Everywhere we look we are encouraged to purchase the perfect toy, jewelry, appliance, clothing, book, CD and to spend more and more. Rather than give material things, why not give something that has special meaning and value: give the gift of YOURSELF.
Most of us are busy, busy, busy...and never seem to have enough time to spend with the people we care most about. Isn't time together more important than material things?
The following are some ideas for some priceless gifts ...gifts that come from the specialness of YOU to celebrate the specialness of THEM:
 

1. Give your TIME and your SERVICES*:
        (*How about making up redeemable coupons?)
        - walk the dog, take care of the cat or bird, water the plants
        - wash/wax the car; wash windows; dust; take out the trash,
          shovel snow, mow the lawn
        - help clean out a garage or attic or help organize an office
        - run errands; make phone calls/answer email for them
        - chauffeur children for those all those after-school activities
        - babysit so that the parents can have a night out alone
          (or how about an overnight or a weekend away?)
        -give help in whatever special skill you have (eg.computer help/tutoring,
         secretarial, mending, ironing, cutting hair, typing, writing...???)
        -agree to be a "walking/running buddy"
        -serve breakfast in bed; or make coffee and serve in bed for the
         next month or so
        -make a special dinner or brunch (including shopping!)
        -give a massage = body... foot... ?
        -give 4 (or more) hugs a day
        -give a coupon for your time (one hour/10 hours/60 hours?) to be
          redeemed whenever they want to do whatever they want
        -sit down with your children/spouse and brainstorm all the things
          you like to do together; choose; make a commitment to do
         what you choose with a specific dates, time and place.
        -make an audio tape with a mix of selected songs you love or
          make a copy of a tape/CD that you especially love or that you
         know they would especially love.
 

2. Give Something Really Special:
        -Write a very sincere personal letter to that person: tell them how
         much they mean to you; make a list of all the things you like about
         them. Better yet, write this in a small blank book and add to it
         periodically (monthly? annually?)..Write down things you appeciate
         their doing/saying. Read it to them!
        -Record the things you love/appreciate about them and give them the tape;
         or make a special date to tell them these things.
        (Don't do it once - do it thoughout the year!
        -Write a poem about them (and what you value in your relationship)
        -Write a book or an article about them
        -Put together a scrapbook that illustrates the positive things you like
         about them: either cut out pictures in a magazine and make a collage
         or collect photographs that capture their spirit as well as the times
         you've spent together
        -Put together a photo album of the two of you together..shared activities
         and interests.
        -Tell other people all the positive attributes you like about this person:
          in email? a letter? a testimonial that can be framed/printed?
 

3. Giving to Others:
        -Give to a Charity or Organization in "their" name
        -Go to www.giveforchange.com in order to give to others in "their" name
        -Invite someone who is alone for the Holidays to share your Holiday
         with you and your family.
        -Visit a Nursing Home, a Hospital, a Food Kitchen, a Homeless Shelter, a
          house-bound patient and give of your time and services over the Holidays.
 

*I'm sure this list is not complete; I would love any suggestions/additions as well as some feedback about what you thought of these ideas for gift giving in order to create a truly HAPPY HOLIDAY.

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TAREA (Homework):
*Do one (or more) of the suggestions mentioned above!
*Send me some of your suggestions!

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COMPLIMENTARY COACHING: 1/2 hour complimentary coaching offered
Call me at (617)494-1422 or email me at laurie@ingearcoaching.com
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Upcoming TELECLASSES: (in January and February)
*RISK-TAKING for Positive CHANGE and TRANSFORMATION
*LEARN the 8 A's of BUILDING SELF-ESTEEM

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I hope you enjoyed this issue; I would love to hear your feedback on this and subsequent issues.

Please feel free to forward your copy of this email to anyone you think might enjoy reading it. I am trying to build my subscriber list to 500 by the year 2000! I just request that you keep the broadcast intact...nothing changed, added or deleted, including subscription information and my contact and copyright information. Thankyou
 
 

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Laurie R. Geary, M.Ed.
Professional  Certified Coach

Register for my free weekly newsletter: Gear Up for Success!
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Phone: (617)494-1422
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