Giving Gifts of Time This Holiday Season

Gift-giving is a holiday tradition between friends, family, and even acquaintances like classmates or coworkers. It can be a little challenging to get gifts together for everyone, but the spirit of giving is its own reward. Gift-giving is also something many holiday shoppers do for themselves!

In a time that can be so focused on material gifts, it’s important to consider how we can give in non-material ways. For example, you could create a coupon that could be redeemed for anything from a back massage to doing the dishes. If you’re not sure what to give others (or yourself!), explore how you can give a gift of your time this holiday season.

What Are Gifts Of Time?

In some ways, your time is the ultimate gift you can give, as it’s often the most meaningful.

Plus, giving your time is good for you, too! Research shows that happiness increases — and depression decreases — when giving the gift of time. In a study by the Journal of Happiness Studies, those that gave a gift of their time felt generally happier, even months after giving the gift.

Time is precious, which is why offering to do time-consuming tasks for people in your life is a great way to tell them you care about them. Or, you can request a gift of time for yourself. A few ways to give or receive gifts of time include:

Car detailing for someone close to you
Cooking and having loved ones over for dinner
Shoveling snow for a neighbour
Offering to be a designated driver for people at parties you’re attending
Baking for coworkers, classmates, or neighbours

The holidays are a great time to give back, and when you give your time, the activities you do can last. If you choose to spend your time building something, for example, your work will last well beyond the holidays. But how do you manage your time around the holidays and choose how to spend it? Let’s take a closer look at how to divide your time.

Gifts Of time Schedule

Gifts of time take time! To make it easier for you to plan, we’ve organized the best ways to give your time into categories to help you make the most of it.

infographic depicting a pocket watch with ideas on how to divide your gifts of time, including; giving back to the community by volunteering, donating, and babysitting; relaxing, including massage or acupuncture, hot chocolate with loved ones, walks, and sleep; and education and learning, including your studies, teaching a skill, and sharing inspiring information.

The Gift Of Giving Back

Volunteering for community causes tops the list of ways to give back.

Giving back through time spent serving Christmas dinners, handing out care packages or donating winter clothing leads to those positive feelings and happiness mentioned above. Check out our tips for improved mental health over the holidays to learn more. You might find that by practicing the values of the holidays you celebrate, the holidays become a more meaningful time of year.

The Gift Of Relaxation & Me-Time

Are you working in a new career after graduating from college? Your employee benefits package may include services such as massage or acupuncture. Setting aside time for relaxation can really combat any extra stress that arises during the holidays.

For students or contract workers who don’t have access to massages and health spending accounts, relaxation doesn’t have to be all about pampering yourself. A day of quality time by yourself or with loved ones can be the best gift you give yourself. Slow down and smell the hot chocolate.

Days Off

Another gift of time best enjoyed by yourself is a day of rest. Use days off to sleep in and go to bed early! In Canada, the sun goes down early around the holidays, so you can prioritize sleep and mental health. But don’t become a couch potato! Get outside for a brisk walk or do another outdoor activity to get some fresh air; it’s good to rest but not to become too sedentary.

Please bear in mind that you can schedule your gifts of time how you want. The above ways to divide your time are just ideas. If you need most of your time to live life and keep your priorities in order, especially rest, there’s no need to force any gifts of time into your schedule.

Gifts Of Time & The Gift Of Education

The word ‘education’ usually makes us think of vocational programs or post-secondary education, like the programs offered at Sundance College. But education can mean a lot more when you consider it broadly.

Teaching someone a skill or giving them a how-to tutorial saves them time. Try mentoring or showing friends, family, and community members how to do something you’re good at! It can be anything. Everyone is better at one thing than most people, so now is the time to share your talents as gifts of time.

On the other hand, if you want to show your holiday spirit this year, you might consider combining the gift of education with other gifts of time. For example, it would be extremely generous to go to your friend’s house, pick them and their children up in your car, drive them to a skating rink, teach them how to skate, share the cookies you baked, and drive them home. And that’s just one way you can give the gift of education.

The Gift of Post-Secondary Education

Some parents give the gift of education to their children; many adults give it to themselves. Either way, the gift of education is powerful and long-lasting. In some ways, the gift of education is the gift of time! When you’re teaching, you’re giving time. When you’re learning, you’re receiving time as a gift from others.

Time is an investment you make, and when you take a chance on yourself, it can be a gift you give to your future self. After all, when you spend time on an education, you’ll end up in a career that fulfills you and those around you.

When the career you choose is useful to others and makes their lives easier, better provided for, or healthier — you can call it a gift of time as well. Explore some of the diplomas offered by Sundance College and consider giving yourself or your loved one the best gift of all — a brighter future:

Giving Yourself the Gift of a Career You Love

A new career is a gift that keeps giving. And it’s especially meaningful to pursue a career that gives back no matter what time of year it is. An academic advisor can help you decide the career paths that are right for you. Apply online and talk to someone who can help.

Giving Gifts Of Time This Holiday Season

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