So you’ve made your list and checked it twice. But, what are you going to give yourself this year? Work-from-home professional Kate Jam Velez-Placido shares five non-material gifts you can give yourself this Christmas!

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The Christmas season is often characterized by the hustle of shopping and sluggish traffic. As early as September, you start preparing for a list of people you would be gifting this year. It would be followed by pouring over websites for the best gift ideas and online deals.

For traditional shoppers, it’s about taking several trips to the malls to walk around for hours finding the perfect item for the special people in your life. While you have everything wrapped and tagged, you don’t realize that there is one person you have forgotten to prepare a gift for—yourself.

While it is better to give than to receive, there’s nothing wrong about being generous to yourself. Self-care is important. So you also need to reward yourself for everything you’ve accomplished this year.

But instead of swiping your card for a diamond jewelry, the latest smartphone, or a branded fashion piece, why not give yourself something non-material but long-lasting? Not only will it recharge you with positive energy but it could also give you the drive and inspiration to tackle the year to come.

Read on for five non-material presents that you can give yourself this Christmas.

#1 – Give Yourself The Gift Of Time
When was the last time you sat back and put your feet up for an extended period of time? Whether as mothers or career women, it often feels like taking a break is a crime. Thoughts like there are chores to be done, or your goals would not be accomplished if you don’t keep pushing forward, can sometimes make you feel guilty whenever you think of relaxing a bit. Taking a break, no matter how short, will give you a fresher perspective on things or a renewed zest in achieving your goals.

So, this year, give yourself the time to recharge. Book an appointment at a spa to pamper yourself. Go on that trip you’ve been planning for. Even for a few hours or a day, disconnect from the internet, pick up the book you’ve been wanting to read or just relax. Your mind and soul will thank you for it by feeling happier, more energized, and more productive.

#2 – Give Yourself The Gift Of Knowledge
Life is a continuous learning process. You are a perpetual student of the universe. Your age should not hinder you from achieving a new set of knowledge or learning a new skill. So give yourself the gift of knowledge this year.

Sign up for a class to learn a new skill or engage in an activity that rekindles your passion for learning. No time to go a class? There are plenty of other means to achieve this whether you’re an on-the-go professional or a busy household manager. How about some digital gift ideas? Download free eBooks. Google comes in handy to give you the list of sites where you can download them for free. You can also sign up for online courses which you can take at your most convenient time. You study at your own pace. Whichever way you choose, do not be afraid to learn something new or different. Who knows, maybe you can discover an untapped potential that you could only unlock through new skills.

#3 – Give Yourself The Gift Of Health
Did you make a resolution at the beginning of the year to exercise and eat healthier but returned to your old ways a few weeks later? Don’t beat yourself up if you did. You are not alone. You might think, Christmas season is the worst time to go on a diet or start an exercise routine. I say, there’s no better time to do it than today! Make it a gift to yourself to choose to become healthy.

Start off your goal to a healthier self by scheduling a physical check-up to know about the things you need to change to improve your health. If you’re worried the busy Christmas season would not leave you time to exercise, think again. Choose to walk instead of hailing a cab if your destination isn’t that far. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. This way, you can squeeze in 20 to 30 minutes of exercise in your day without even going to the gym. Avoid carbo-loading during the many Christmas parties you need to attend. Keep the temptation at bay by eating a healthy snack before the party and don’t forget to drink plenty of water when you plan to consume alcohol. These may be little decisions you incorporate into your life but could go a long way in establishing a healthier habit.

#4 – Give Yourself The Gift Of Productivity
As you juggle more roles and responsibilities in and out of your home and workplace, it is easy to be stressed and burned out from everything that needs to be done. In order to lighten your load and make juggling easier, consider hiring a virtual assistant. Whether it’s for managing your schedule, booking appointments, ordering things online, a virtual assistant would help you accomplish your tasks more efficiently.

#5 – Give Yourself The Gift Of Love
When was the last time you picked up the phone to call your parents and tell them you miss them? When was the last time you blocked off your schedule to spend a day with your children and bask in the energy of their youth? When was the last time you scheduled a coffee or lunch date with your girlfriends to catch up in life?

Often, because of your busy schedules, you unintentionally take for granted the reasons why you’re working hard—your loved ones. This year, why not make it about reconnecting and rekindling your relationships with the people who matter most.

Self-Care Is A Gift In Itself
Self-care is not about being selfish. It is about doing what you need to do in order to stay healthy and present in your life. This way, you would be able to give more to the people you care about. Self-care is about recharging yourself. After all, you cannot give from an empty vessel.

 

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