Description

What can I give? How can I give the gift of service? Is the gift of service better than tangible gift items? Do I have to give material gifts? How can I give without gifts? How do I give during the holidays? Do I have to go into debt during the holiday? What gifts are expected? What are the holiday expectations? Why is Christmas so materialistic?

In this episode of Love Always, Self, Karista & Shyra discuss holiday gift giving and how materialism has altered our perspectives of giving to others. The majority of families in America are living paycheck to paycheck and the expectation to give gifts beyond our means during the holiday causes extended financial stress beyond the holidays. So how can you give without extending yourself beyond your means?

Questions to ask yourself to understand your relationship to gift giving:

• Am I giving gifts to receive gifts back?
• Am I giving because of the expectations of others?
• Am I giving out of fear of not being enough?

Alternative “giving” ideas:

• Volunteer as a family to give back to those that are truly without or in need
  • Animal shelters
  • Homeless shelters
  • Battered women’s shelters
  • Big Brother, Big Sister
  • Blue or Brown Santa
  • Making blankets for homeless
• Write holiday letters to seniors in assisted living facilities or to children in hospitals
• Days of kindness; finding one opportunity every day to lift a stranger up
• Pick an Angel from the Salvation Army Tree (no longer a the mall; located at Wal-mart)
• Spend quality time together
  • Game night
  • Walking the neighborhood admiring holiday lights
  • Holiday crafts
• Caroling, the gift of song
• Do yard work for neighbors
• Host a neighborhood food drive

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Other mentions:

Volunteer Match https://www.volunteermatch.org/

Operation Blue Santa https://www.bluesanta.org/

Salvation Army Angel Tree https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/walmart-angel-tree/

Build-A-Bear Foundation https://www.buildabear.com/build-a-bear-foundation.html

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Announcements:

We’ve launched Divine Living: Style & Decor! Let us help you embrace your space!

https://www.divinelivingstyledecor.com/

For those looking for holiday gift ideas, you can shop our Amazon Favorites on our website!

https://www.lovealwaysself.com/amazon-favorites

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Episode Suggestions:

Episode 78: Where Your Attention Goes Your Energy Flows; Be What You Want To See In The World

Episode 76: What Is The Story You're Telling Yourself? How Your Thoughts Play A Part

Episode 75: Taking Your Own Advice Through Journaling

Episode 73: Shifting Perspectives: Deciding On The Perspective

Episode 48: Are We Being Called To Humility?

Episode 24: Raise Your Vibration; Understanding and Practicing Gratitude

Episode 20: It's Time To Play; Incorporating Play In Our Everyday Lives

Episode 18: Shifting Perspectives; Being Open to 3 Sides Of Every Coin

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Social Media: 

Website - https://www.lovealwaysself.com/

Linktree - https://linktr.ee/lovealwaysself

Have a topic you'd like us to discuss? Email Us!: contact@lovealwaysself.com

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