On Dec.19 every year Saint Nicholas Day (Sviatoho Mykolaia) is celebrated in Ukraine and in the global Ukrainian Diaspora. Gifts are given especially to children. And adults enjoy gifts also!
Saint Nicholas Day it is a traditional sign that Christmas and New Year celebrations are beginning. As first snow falls in the mountains and often in the cities of Ukraine and Christmas decorations go up, there is an inspiration and urge to bring joy to loved ones by giving gifts that will please them.
A down side in purchasing expensive gifts is the cost and related stress in shopping for them and paying for them. Over-spending brings stress instead of joy to the holiday season. You deserve more joy. So, here are a few ideas of great gifts you can give; that cost little and are stress free!
1. Give the gift of HEALTH to yourself and to your loved ones. Your body is the first home that you live within. Taking care of your body and mind improves all areas of your life. Physical health benefits from regular movement, healthy nutrition, and healthy breathing exercises. Mental health improves by editing the information that you allow into your brain, and, according to well-being scientists, maintaining a positive, productive, constructive focus in life activities.
2. LAUGHTER is a great gift as well a wonderful life tonic. Laugh more and bring the gift of laughter to the lives of others. It’s free and fun!
3. Express your LOVE to your loved ones. Tell them that you love and appreciate them. Give them the certainty, joy and gift of your expression of love along with your actions to improve quality and connections within your close relationships. Love is relationships, and the quality of life is increased when the quality of relationships is improved.
4. Your loved ones may treasure the gift of your TIME more than other gifts. Take time to spend quality time with them. Spending time with loved ones builds bonds, reduces conflicts and brings joy to all. At holiday time, especially try to spend time with people who are isolated, unwell or in need. Gifting time to your family and friends will also increase your feelings of happiness in life.
5. Make PEACE before Christmas comes. If there are conflicts in your life, relationships, work and social circles, take a first step to try to reduce them. Be brave and do your best to give the gift of peace to others, as peace in life is a treasure beyond measure. Conflict is a stressor and peace is a de-stressor. Give the gift of peace.
6. GRATITUDE is a great gift according to Well-being scientists. Expressing gratitude on a daily basis changes mental search patterns from negative to positive and more productive in the space of a month. According to brain scans and scientific research, a positive healthy mind improves results in all life zones by about 32%. Express gratitude every day and share the gift of gratitude this holiday season.
As gifts are viral news and eagerly anticipated every holiday season. You can surprise your family with a gift that you create yourself, as well as some of these inexpensive treasures and ideas to gift joy and love to them, and so importantly, to yourself.
