The Gift of Love

Our relationships with our friends and family are some of the most important connections in our lives. Sometimes, it makes sense to nurture those relationships with expensive gifts or grand gestures – birthday presents, tickets to a show or even holidays together. But more often than not, it’s possible to demonstrate our deep love and appreciation with simple gestures that make our loved ones feel special, and in turn make us feel more fulfilled. It’s the age-old adage that still rings so true: actions speak louder than words!

Speaking their language

We all have different love languages. For some people, being able to spend quality time with you will feel the most meaningful, while for others, a thoughtful action or unexpected note to say you’re thinking of them will go a long way. In your immediate relationships, try to identify what actions will make the other person feel valued. Chances are, you probably know the answer already! Either way, the key is to focus on little things that can be done on a weekly or monthly basis to help build connections with those closest to you.

Here are some “gift” ideas to get you started…

For your kids

In the hustle and bustle of family life, taking the time to do something special and personalised for each of your children will help to strengthen your individual connections. The good news is, kids are wonderfully easy to please!

• Write a little note or put a treat they love in their lunchbox
• Spend time teaching them a new recipe (try this kids’ favourite Chicken Nibbles)
• Take them to a cafe one-on-one, or pack up a spontaneous picnic and enjoy it in the park

For your friends

Friends are often the first port-of-call for emotional support outside of our romantic relationships. It’s important to take a moment to acknowledge the emotional investment others are willing to make in you – and you can do this without spending a dime.

• Pick some flowers and leave them in a jar on your friends doorstep with a note of appreciation
• When you’re together, put your phone aside and make the time to listen and share without distraction
• If a friend is stressed, offer to support them with practical actions such as making dinner, taking the kids for an afternoon or going on a walk together

For your partner

Romantic relationships are a constant work in progress, and nurturing them can understandably fall by the wayside when life gets busy. But rather than waiting for the right moment to do something big, you can shift your focus to smaller, simpler actions that show your partner how much you value them.

• Surprise them with breakfast in bed (we may be a little biased, but fruit, yogurt & croissants are a pretty dreamy combo in our books!)
• Leave them a note sharing something you appreciate about your life together
• Ask for their advice and actually listen – even if it’s something small, it’s a great way to show that you value their opinion

Let the giving begin!

Best of all, giving feels good. Taking the time to strengthen your relationships will be as beneficial for you as it will be for the other people involved. All the more reason to bring on the love!