More than ever before, most of us must be far more creative in holiday gift-giving this year!
You may be one of those who hasn’t ventured out to a shopping mall because of Covid-19 or just maybe, you are someone who dislikes shopping online. If you fall into either of those categories or yet another—one of those who simply don’t have the funds for a holiday spree—the following are a handful of suggestions of what you can give your significant other this holiday season. All of these recommendations are likely to mean a lot more to the person you love because they all require a highly personalized touch.
Try one or all of them. Your go-to person will love you for it. Here are my recommendations:
* Create “read this when” letters. Set up several different envelopes with short letters sealed inside for when you spouse has: 1. a tough day at work; 2. difficulty with the children; 3. a fight with his/her parents; 4. a disagreement with a friend; and the like. Be positive. Give words of encouragement. Remind them that “this too shall pass.”
* Give a notebook with a different question on every other page to get to learn more about your spouse – what they dream about; what they fear; what is on their bucket list; foods they would like to try; sex positions they would like to try. Give the notebook, but don’t give a deadline. Give your spouse all the time they need to fill it out.
* Give a “coupon” for housekeeping if you aren’t the spouse who typically picks up around the house. Better yet just do all of it for a weekend, without giving a coupon, and without having to be asked. Make the bed. Wash the dishes. Pick up around the house.
* Create a playlist – just like those of us over 45 used to do with “mixed tapes.” Put all of their favorite music on one playlist on their phone or music-player. Add some music, maybe they don’t know about, but is similar to something they like. For instance, if they listen to music while exercising, make it an upbeat mix. Even better, set yourself up with the same play list, and listen to them at the same time while exercising.
* Give the gift of time. If we’ve learned anything from 2020, it is that sometimes just spending time together, without any of the normal distractions (work calls and emails; the needs of the children; questions from siblings), can be the best gift of all. Set up a regular “date night” or “walk afternoon.” And stick to it for all of 2021.
Those are my suggestions, now add a few of your own. While it’s been a difficult year for most of us, the 2020 holiday season just might be one of the most memorable ones—and in a very positive way.
David J. Glass
David J. Glass, a shareholder at the Los Angeles law firm of Enenstein Ribakoff LaVina & Pham, is a Certified Family Law Specialist and has a PhD in Psychology. As such, he understands the many complexities of marriage, family, and divorce on many levels.
