Christmas is a time when we think of gifts for friends and loved ones to express our affection for them. I find buying meaningful gifts for other people quite a feat. With the affluence amongst Singaporean, people can usually afford stuff. We wanted to donate an old CRT TV to a halfway house but was told they only accept LCD/Plasma TV. People from rich to the not-rich, all have choices. The common denominator for all these gifts is that they are material, cost money and given on special occasions.

When my kids want to buy me a present, they’ll usually get from Daiso. Costing only $2 an item, it’s well within their budget. I was quite happy when I found them a guide on alternative gifts that they can give to others. It was a poster I found 2 years back.

Here, I’d like to share the poster which I hang on the wall for my family:

8 Gifts That Do Not Cost A Cent

• The Gift Of Listening… But you must REALLY listen. No interrupting, no daydreaming, no planning your response. Just listening.
• The Gift Of Affection… Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back and handholds. Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for family and friends.
• The Gift Of Laughter… Clip cartoons. Share articles and funny stories. Your gift will say, "I love to laugh with you."
• The Gift Of A Written Note… It can be a simple "Thanks for your help" note or a full sonnet. A brief, handwritten note may be remembered for a lifetime, and may even change a life.
• The Gift Of A Compliment… A simple and sincere, "You look great in red," "You did a super job" or "That was a wonderful meal" can make someone’s day.
• The Gift Of A Favour… Every day, go out of your way to do something kind.
• The Gift Of Solitude… There are times when we want nothing better than to be left alone. Be sensitive to those times and give the gift of solitude to others.
• The Gift Of A Cheerful Disposition… The easiest way to feel good is to extend a kind word to someone, really it’s not that hard to say, Hello or Thank You.