Finding just the perfect gift for each person on your list can be close to impossible. Sometimes you stumble upon just the perfect thing and you know that's the one that will be most talked about gift of the season. More often, you give it your best shot and hope the gift fits.
This year has been a little difficult financially, but I still wanted to find meaningful gifts.
I came up with something that, perhaps in these last waning days pre-Christmas, you might find helpful also.
What I decided to do is to write personal, heartfelt love letters to each of my close friends and family.
The written letter: It has become an outdated art form. We should bring it back! Why should Santa get all the mail?
It was surprisingly easy to do.
I just put each person in my mind and went over all the experiences we have shared over the years and then I tried to put into words the qualities I have always admired in each person.
It comes easier for me to write my feelings than to speak them out loud, so many of these things have likely never been said. I have thought them a million times, but couldn’t utter them because of the giant boulder that forms in my throat in times of tenderness.
I wrote the notes each with the permission to share them or keep them secret, as they preferred. Some are being kept until Christmas Eve. Some I have already presented.
That is why I am writing this blog. The three friends who received theirs already encouraged me to share the idea in the hope others might follow suit and write their own love letters.
I can report they all wanted to share and each of us read someone else’s note so the recipient could really take it in. At the end of dinner, everyone was sobbing and our bread basket was all soggy. (But in a good way.)
I share a few excerpts here as an example. I am sure this might describe someone you love as well.
“I think you are beautiful with a special glow from the inside out. You make me want to be more patient and kind.”
“I have had the most trouble with your letter. Not because I have nothing to say, but because I have too much to say. The deeper the love the harder it is for the words to come.”
“You are a true giver. Someone who never expects anything in return. You always think of others in every situation.”
“I hope you never feel less than because you are more than.”
“You are among my most favourite people on the planet.”
Don’t worry if the letter isn’t perfect. None of mine were. As we were reading them, I had clearly not proofread them well enough.
In one note I meant to say “I am amazed,” but what I wrote was “I AM AMAZING.”
We laughed about that, but then got thinking it is just as important to write yourself a love letter.
You and I are amazing. Declare it! Accept it! Write it down with flourish!
May you be the recipient, this season, of all kinds of love letters.
Here's your first:
Dear Readers,
Thank you for reading these columns, commenting and sharing with others. You have given me a voice. I appreciate you all.
Love, Wendy
