Word of the Week

Stress

Definition: mental, emotional, or physical strain or tension

Consider this...

The holidays are obviously all about gifts: ubiquitous images of shiny wrapped presents, huddled under peaceful, dimly lit Douglas firs or stuffed into embroidered stockings hanging over a merry fire, abound.

Meanwhile, a quick glance at the television gives us a very different view of gifts. Images of only what could be described as retail carnage show consumers abandoning all pretenses and turning primal in the pursuit of the season’s best deals on TVs, tennis shoes, and various other “giftables.”

Checkout lanes are clogged with displays that encourage shoppers to find that perfect gift, that one thing for your cousin, best friend’s babysitter, or that one kind of odd guy at the office. Who cares if you don’t know the person that well - the holidays are for gift giving!

I think it’s time we relax and take a moment to really reflect on what all that pressure does to us. The stress of finding that ideal gift, that one that is both thoughtful and practical, that gift that is both reasonably priced but high in quality, really is like the pursuit of Holiday Shangri’La: many have attempted, few succeed (and if they do, we never hear from them again because they have long since gone loony).

Instead of stressing over whether Uncle Jim would prefer a blue sweater or a green one, why not give him a store gift card? It’s a practical gift that he will definitely love, especially because he will get to choose how to spend it. Furthermore, he can save the gift card until he truly needs or wants to use it: a true blessing in the age of after-Christmas sales.

So forget about stressing yourself to death this holiday season, and remember that gift giving is supposed to be fun. To the recipient, your gift, no matter what it may be, is a tangible reminder that you love them - but believe me, they definitely won’t say no to your newfound sanity, either.