Summary
Meaningful and timeless gifts to give abundantly this holiday season.
December can be a stressful time, filled with the “joys” of holiday shopping. You’re likely inundated with holiday catalogs and countless emails about Black Friday and Cyber Monday. You find yourself checking lists for loved ones, comparing them to the endless ideas from shopping guides. Yet, despite the abundance of possibilities, we often struggle to find the perfect gift. Should it be a sweater? New gloves or mittens? More toys for the kids? Or, for the bold among us, perhaps a new puppy? If you’re still stuck, here are three timeless gift ideas that will always be appreciated and never go out of style.
Offer Comfort: Handel’s Messiah includes the beautiful aria, “Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.” Handel draws from the words of an ancient prophet speaking hope in the midst of darkness and brokenness—a message that remains timeless, breathtaking, and deeply moving. Today, these words feel more relevant than ever. In a world marked by devastation, poverty, violence, incivility, and loneliness, we yearn for comfort.
During the holidays, many people are hurting. For them, the words “happy holidays” ring hollow. The gift they crave most is comfort: knowing someone cares, someone will listen, and someone will be present. A shared meal, a thoughtful visit to someone who is lonely, or simply being there can provide immense solace.
Practice Curiosity: In an old New York Times piece, David Brooks reflected on how rare it is for people at gatherings to ask meaningful questions. True curiosity—seeking to understand others—is surprisingly uncommon. Few people take the time to genuinely know others or show interest in their lives.
In today’s polarized culture, we’re quick to judge, label, and react out of fear. But genuine curiosity requires effort and humility. In a memorable episode of Ted Lasso, Ted shares a profound lesson with a bully: “Guys have underestimated me my entire life and for years I never understood why… Then one day, I saw a quote by Walt Whitman. It said, ‘Be curious, not judgmental.’”
The wisdom of curiosity is desperately needed. Imagine if, throughout the holiday season, we all practiced genuine curiosity—seeking to understand rather than judge. It’s a gift that leaves a lasting impression.
Show Compassion: My wife once had a small poster with a quote from the medieval mystic Meister Eckhart: “Whatever God does, the first outburst is always compassion.” For Eckhart and others like him, compassion was the essence of the divine.
One of the most spiritual acts we can offer this season is compassion. Henry James, when asked to advise his nephew, famously said: “Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind.”
This advice is as vital today as ever. In a world in desperate need of kindness, small acts of compassion can transform lives.
In this busy and beautiful holiday season, offer three profound gifts: comfort, curiosity, and compassion. These are gifts that won’t be returned or exchanged after the celebrations. They are gifts that bring light to the darkest moments and remind us of what truly matters.
