Wow.  A lot of friends and colleagues have gotten back to me with their own giving stories.  These ideas are so great, and so personal, that I think the best way to share them is in the authors’ own words:

"This year I was the lucky recipient of one of the most special presents ever made. My best friend, Kathleen, made a home-made crossword puzzle for me, using both traditional crossword clues and answers, as well as clues and answers that are particular to our friendship, shared memories, and inside jokes. This wasn’t just a piece of paper: this present took Kathleen an enormous amount of time to think through, draw, and clue. Hours upon hours went into this present. Friends were called to confirm dates, times, and places. Coworkers lent her time in checking over for errors (Kathleen is dyslexic). Kathleen combined my growing love of crossword puzzles (I do the NY Times puzzle online every day) with our stories and jokes. I filled it out right then and there, and we shared laugh upon laugh as I completed the puzzle. Answers ranged from nicknames of friends, to my favorite movies, tv shows, and sandwich contents; most of it would be complete gibberish to anyone else.

"Right after I finished it, Kathleen offered to have it laminated for me. I plan on having it framed, and hope to display it in my home soon.

"I have no idea how I’ll ever give her a present that even comes close to it."
 

-Jennifer K.

"One alternative gift I use is a travel fund for my nephews. Each year for their birthday and Christmas I put money in an account, and the stipulation for use is that it must be for travel. Of course, this is not the best idea when it comes to climate change. However, and as you probably know, travel can have a profound impact on how one views the world, by growing tolerance and empathy, heightening appreciation of what one 'has', and create a stronger sense of self.  That is what being 'on the road' did for me and I want that for them."

-Mark J.

"It was the week before Thanksgiving and I received a phone call from a colleague with whom I’d become somewhat friendly.  She was calling significant people and letting them know why she was thankful to have them in her life.  I still remember that conversation."

-Carol Ann F.

"We gather together the strays and the stretched and offer them a fine meal and good conversation. During the many times in my life that I haven’t been working for money while my friends were – in the social justice movement, with unions, in crisis intervention jobs – I’d often have them over for a special meal. I don’t do potluck. When you come to my home, I feed you. So they’d arrive harried and hassled and I’d offer respite and repast, wine and gossip – critical elixirs for the mind and the body."

-Robert F.

"I have received a most wonderful gift this month and thought I would share.  I was traveling down the Queensway at approximately 100 km/hr when the SUV just ahead of me lost his left front tire.  The tire bounced up in the air and hit the car behind him and landed right in front of me.  It was so fast that I couldn’t swerve in time.  I hit it hard and buckled my right front wheel.  Two other cars collided and it was apparent that the occupants were hurt and were later taken to hospital.  I managed to get stopped on a v-shaped piece of pavement at the Kent Street exit and someone who had not even seen the accident pulled up behind me and put his flashers on.  He directed the police to look at my vehicle.  He got a tow truck and then stayed with me the entire time.  Why…I have no idea.

"Later on in the day he even called me at work to find out if I was OK.  I am fine.  My car isn’t but so what.  I was touched by the kindness of this stranger who just gave of himself to another.  It was almost as if he was placed there for a reason.  I received him as a gift.  I could have been hurt and wasn’t.  I feel so tremendously fortunate for all that happened."

-Angela C.

"This year I am giving colleagues a jar of home made preserves and a small book of meditation or humour. The jam is $8 and the book $2. I will send an e-card to those who celebrate Christmas and phone friends instead of writing. Showing appreciation all year  is much better than a gift in December."

-Andria S.

"We have been giving to non-profit charities as Christmas gifts for over 12 years now.  As adults we do not need anything, Christmas should be about spirit, children and family not materialism.  …  The other practice I did as a child with my parents was serving Christmas lunch to the homeless.  When our children are a little older, they will do the same thing."

-Diana R.

"I have had two experiences in the last week, where donations have to come to me personally and to the organization, rather than an unwanted box of chocolates – here are the two examples:

1. Rather than giving corporate gifts to his clients, [our printer] has sent them all a card to acknowledge that a donation of service has been made to [our nonprofit orgainization] instead.  It is my wish that more companies would do this. 

2. A colleague made a gift to purchase malaria nets in my honour; I was touched and it meant so much more than a present that I don’t need.  She did this through MEDA."

-Lori F.

"…I gave a child to my sister’s family a few years ago!  Actually it was the sponsorship of a World Vision child in Africa.  The younger daughter, my niece, in Regina was the correspondent with the young fellow.  And I believe it still carries on as does my monthly payments on their behalf – all a very easy way of giving and passing on the joy!"

-Laurie G.

"The Vancouver Monthly Meeting of the Society of Friends (Quakers) developed a project in the town of Chatamilu in western Kenya.  Over recent years a new school building was constructed through the efforts of the Vancouver meeting.  Last summer, a woman from our meeting visited Chatamilu, met five women who had organized care for 50 orphans, and decided that the most strategic way that we could further help the community would be to promote economic development by buying chickens and livestock for these women leaders.

"So, for the first time in my life I bought five chickens ($20) and donated them to Chatamilu.  I was so encouraged by the pictures I saw and the feeling of giving that, a month later, I went on to purchase an entire young cow ($300) which will give birth to a calf (to go to a member of the village) and thereafter stay with the five women leaders to provide milk for the 50 children."

-Fred B.

"I believe giving should be a part of our lives and not an obligation because of a date on a calendar.  I believe in giving, sharing time or even a coffee with those I care about, donating time without expectation of recognition, monetary compensation, etc.  Life is a gift in itself that should be cherished." 

-Lucie G.

Thank you for such thoughtful responses!  Please feel free to add any more suggestions or stories to the comments.  And have a wonderful, stress-free holiday season!