A key part of our work at Serenity Financial Planning is helping our clients to live a rich and meaningful life. With just a little thought, you can help people you care about to do the same with carefully chosen gift…
- AÂ new skill
Does the person you’re choosing your gift for have a passion or is there something they have always longed to master? Be it piano lessons, a course in Italian or ballroom dancing, buying a ticket for the first few lessons could lead to far more than new skills, but to new friends, new opportunities and much more. Good websites to search for inspiration are: http://www.skilledup.com/individuals and the Open University http://www.open.edu/openlearn/free-courses
2. A classic book
Stories can change us. They can help us to explore our deepest feelings, question or most firmly held beliefs and to look outside our narrow view of the world and to understand life from completely new perspectives. There are so many books in the world that can change lives, and part of the journey of this gift is really listening to someone and considering which book might bring them something of true value — done well, this is a gift which really shows someone how well you understand them. You can find some lists of classic books here: http://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/10-books-that-will-change-your-life.html; http://www.goodnet.org/articles/10-lifechanging-books-that-will-stay-you-forever
3. A gift for charity
While buying beehives or an elephant might seem inappropriate, buying these things in the name of someone you care about to support charitable work will change lives for the better. Concern Gifts http://www.concerngifts.org/ is one website where you can buy everything from piglets to water pumps for communities in the 27 poorest countries around the world. You can adopt penguins, snow leopards, polar bears and a host of other animals from just ÂŁ3 per month to support the World Wildlife Fund and receive a cuddly toy, fact pack and regular updates for the person you are giving your gift to. http://www.wwf-adopt-a-animal.co.uk/
4. Time
A simple, understated gift is to give someone you care about is a 2017 diary, with a certain number of hours blocked out each week or month, which you are giving to them. The idea is, that they can use that time however they wish, within reason. Depending on who the gift is for, they can choose how the time is spent. For example, a partner or loved one might want to spend time going to the cinema with you or just spending quality time together. A good friend might ask you to help them with some tasks at which you have some particular skill or to do some voluntary work for a cause they care about. Or, you could specify how you spend the time, for example, cooking a meal for someone once a month. It might seem inexpensive, but to truly deliver this gift, you will have to honestly dedicate that time to one person, and that will mean you saying no to other opportunities you have. Think carefully before you give this gift because it can change your life just as much as the person you give it to.
