Giving something more valuable this Christmas

The holiday shopping season now well underway. A retailer’s paradise. We’re all scrambling over the lists, checking them twice and regardless of whose been naughty or nice no doubt gifts will still be provided. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about today’s topic as I visit you again through the pages. That recurring theme in my head that I often am reminded as we get set to close chapter on 2007. What’s the most precious resource known to mankind? Ask any kid and it’s the new Ninetendo Wii – this year’s hottest Christmas gift. But each year the hot Christmas gifts change and sorry kids the most precious resource we have isn’t a game or gadget. It’s universal, it’s timeless and it’s always around us. TIME ( I apologize to all my female readers who may have thought I would have said jewelry ).

I’ve made it a goal this year to add a ‘Time’ gift to those precious to me on my gift list. While this gift doesn’t seem so appealing and doesn’t come with wrapping paper and bow, it is a great gift you can give someone in your life that could use your guidance, understanding and compassion. We’re a society and culture that’s moving too fast. Way too fast. We think we’re all getting more done only to find out that Madison Avenue, in an endeavor to make us feel as though if it’s not a perfect holiday, perfect tree, food, gifts, decorations, etc, then somehow we’ll be left feeling empty. As I’ve said before it’s a flawed model, very flawed. It’s a methodology designed to look attractive ( check out those snazzy flyers and circulars lately, pretty inviting aren’t they? ) but at the end of the day we don’t live in a catalog, we live in the real world. In the real world we have families, friends and those that need and want our attention. We live in a world where we need to slow down and savor the holidays, as well as any other time of year and that happens when we connect. When we connect with each other. In order to do that we need, quoting my dad, some ‘sit downs’. Slow down, sit down and create some down time for yourself as you hurry through malls and shopping districts getting the things for the holidays upcoming.

Ultimately it’s what we’ll remember most. Turning the page this year into the 40’s as I am often reminded by my sons has lent me to thinking about Christmas’s past. I’m still at an age where I can think back to my Christmas’s in Philadelphia without the aid of a spirit to show me the movie like our friend Scrooge. I remember the TIME with my parents and family and the moments that mom and dad spent with me just hanging out, enjoying each other’s company, food and family fellowship. Do I remember what I got for Christmas when I was 9, 10 or 11? No. If you are a younger reader take heed here what’s important to you under the tree shouldn’t be nearly as important as who is around the tree. That’s what will endure. Young people give your parents and caregivers some slack this holiday season. It’s not unreasonable to expect a gift but try and show some gratitude and spend time with your family this Christmas instead of isolating around your toys for the entire day as so many youngsters do. It’s great to be excited about the ‘stuff’ you’re getting and enjoy it, that’s only right. But take some time out and sit with your relatives. Life’s uncertain. Are you positive you get another holiday with all of your family still with us? I absolutely will pray and hope for that for all of us, but life comes with no warranty or guarantees. So savor the moments and time with your families this holiday season. Show Corporate America that the perfect holiday is one where you get to spend the most time with your family, friends and loved ones. After all, there’s no more valuable gift one can give. See ‘ya around town.