Gift Giving: Buck the Status Quo

Gift giving can be a challenge. It can evoke a sense of duty and meets a societal norm. Both carry a lot of pressure. This post gives ideas on creativity and ways to ‘Buck the status quo.’ It reminds us that the circle of love in gift giving is completed only when gifts are received with gratitude.

My Gift Giving Challenge

TOM: May can be a gift giving challenge for me as MF’s birthday is at the beginning of the month, our anniversary at the end and Mother’s Day in the middle.

Practical Gifts Are the Best!

MF: I had a lot of fun this year when people asked what Tom got me for my birthday. I told them “We got a new electric riding lawn mower on my birthday.”

We both knew we needed a riding mower or a lawn service, and a new mower was definitely cheaper. Just so happened the lawn mower went on sale, big time, on my Birthday. And Tom wasted no time in having it delivered. Yup, we bucked the status quo!

Seriously —

MF: A new lawn mower is a gift that keeps on giving. Who doesn’t like a freshly manicured lawn, accomplished in 1/3 the time (efficiency on steroids!)? Acts of Service is my love language, so this was a big score for both of us.

Gift giving is about making someone happy. The mower puts a smile on my face every time I walk past it in the garage or pull into the driveway and see the fresh cut lawn. I let Tom know my appreciation.

TOM: In all fairness, I also got MF a bouquet of flowers and 3 bars of chocolate for her birthday. Her eyes went immediately to the chocolate.

Receive With Gratitude

TOM: Whether you are traditional in your gift giving or buck the status quo, Receiving with Gratitude is important. I have written many notes of thanks this month having received cards and best wishes on my retirement. People were generous and specific in their comments, thanking me for listening and being non-judgmental.

In accepting their compliments as gift, I was able to accept myself as having been the doctor they needed, and this helped me let go of my former role. It was a joyful experience and important to me to share with them how deeply touched I was by their generous gift in their comments to me.

Sometimes You Just Get Lucky

MF: Our daughter is obsessed with anything frog. I have been working on a 1000-piece frog puzzle as mindless relaxation. I realized this could make a great framed gift for her classroom which made the puzzle even more fun.

The puzzle challenge in our house is keeping the cats from running across the table, knocking the pieces to the floor where Jazz, the dog immediately snarfs them up — a challenge like climbing Mount Everest barefoot!

Then Tom reminded me of a puzzle keeper friends gave us many years ago. His reminder was a gift and I think of him and those friends every time I zip the puzzle away for safe keeping.

Receiving With Gratitude Completes the Circle of Giving

Gift giving completes the circle of love when gifts are recieved with open, appreciative hearts. Whether you purchase a gift from the dollar store or Go Big, whether gift giving is your love language or not, Give from your heart.

Remember, gifts do not have to be monetary. The gift of listening, quality time, acts of kindness and words of affirmation are gifts of personal generosity. These gifts create lasting memories. Be creative and Buck the status quo!

When we receive gifts from our spouse with the intent in which it was given, the impact is priceless on our relationship. Maya Angelou states it best: “When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.”