Dashboard
CoursesWeek commencing Nov 25, 2024
Theme: Meaningful Gifts
Quote
“The excellence of a gift lies in its appropriateness rather than in its value.”
– Charles Dudley Warner
Quote
- A meaningful gift reflects your understanding of someone, not how much you spent. What matters most is that it’s something they truly value. When you give something thoughtful, it shows you’ve put time and effort into making a person feel seen and understood.
- Gift-giving isn’t about impressing someone with how much you can spend but about offering something useful and meaningful for them. A thoughtful gift shows you know what lights a person up, and that’s what makes it memorable.
Question
What is the worst gift you ever received?
Question
- A gift that feels impersonal often highlights the gap between the giver’s intentions and the recipient’s true needs. It reminds us that the best gifts come from understanding the other person.
- A poorly chosen gift can make you feel more like a checkbox was ticked than a meaningful gesture was made. It underscores the importance of thoughtful consideration over convenience.
- When a gift misses the mark, it often reflects a lack of awareness about the recipient’s values or interests. The best gifts connect on a personal level, showing that the giver truly knows and cares.
Quill
The psychology of gift exchange by Mayet, C., & Pine, K. J.
Quill
- Gift-giving is more than just exchanging stuff; it’s about navigating social, cultural, and emotional dynamics. Gifts function as tools for maintaining relationships, expressing care, and reinforcing social bonds.
- Giving gifts is rooted in a system of reciprocity, where giving, receiving, and repaying create a continuous exchange of care and connection. This cycle not only strengthens relationships but also reflects the shared obligations and bonds that keep them alive.
- A well-chosen gift symbolizes thoughtfulness and empathy, reflecting both the giver’s intentions and their understanding of the recipient. The best gifts transcend material value, becoming meaningful declarations of shared connection and care.
Buying presents is
The 3 Rs
As you look back on this week, we invite you to do three things: Reflect, Recognize, and Respond. Take a tactical pause to take stock of the interactions and experiences you had. Think about what happened. Consider what you learned and consciously decide what you may want to do differently in the future.
Reflect
We often blast through life full-speed ahead without stopping to think about where we’ve just been. Valuable lessons are lost when we fail to reflect and learn. Check in with yourself. Audit your emotional and physical energy.
Recognize
As you look back, examine the highs and lows of the week. Evaluate what worked and what didn’t.
Respond
Given the knowledge you now have, decide how you will respond and move forward with intention. Instead of repeating the same problematic patterns, identify ways to interrupt them. Repeat what was effective.
Friday Reflection
Gifts can be tricky. In a world that’s often obsessed with more, bigger, and better, it’s easy to get lost in the pressure of finding the “perfect” present. But the real value of a gift isn’t in its size or price, but in its ability to convey something deeper—a recognition of who the person is and what they truly need. Sometimes, the simplest gifts are the most powerful because they show that you’ve paid attention, thought ahead, and given something meaningful. The best gifts aren’t transactions; they’re expressions of care and understanding.