Author: Risa Goldberg simplymarvelousorganizing.com 420 West Lane El Cajon, CA 92021
619-440-1235 © 2011 Word Count: 855
Give the Gift That Keeps On Giving—You
by Risa Goldberg
By the time you read these words, the holidays will be a thing of the past. The shopping nightmare will be over, there will be no more long lines at malls, no traffic jams getting off the freeways, no more waiting in post offices, all your family, friends and associates will have gotten their gifts and cards, and you’ll be getting thank you notes in the mail. But wait, don’t get too comfy! There’s a new set of holidays just around the bend—with more long lines at malls, traffic jams and endless waiting in post offices.
Have you ever thought about giving the gift of yourself and your services—instead of stuff—to those special people when the holidays roll around?
I am a professional organizer, and as a member of the organizing profession, we have countless creative ways to help our clients—we typically organize kitchen cabinets, closets, garages, filing cabinets. We set up systems for paper, for laundry, for household chores, for helping the kids do their homework and keep their school papers organized. We might pick up organizing supplies, run errands, walk the pets, cook a meal, help with laundry, troubleshoot a computer issue, set up equipment, or offer other personal assistance. I once had to locate a place to board two very large dogs; this took me the better part of two hours. We’re essentially offering our clients the gift of our presence, our skills and time, wherever they are needed, as mutually agreed upon, but for pay.
Like most people around the holidays, I typically buy gifts. I like to gift my clients to thank them for their business and to let them know that I appreciate them in my life. I like to gift my family and friends to show them that I care about them. This year, however, I decided to gift my clients with my time and services in the form of gift certificates—and the same for family and friends.
There are some mitigating circumstances though–it might be easier to buy your 3-year old niece the doll she wants; she just might not understand your coming over to the house to “make her bed every morning for a week!” Gifts may also be in line for family and friends living 3000 miles away, where you can’t easily hop on over to “wash the kitchen floor and scrub the toilets.” On the other hand, we have computers and Internet and communicate in a flash with the other side of the world. Perhaps you might offer some editing or proofing, resume writing, coaching, virtual assistance? Anything is possible.
If you’re still stuck on old-fashioned gift-giving, think first before rushing out to shop. Will your gift be one more thing for the recipient to deal with, to shuffle around and move from place to place? Will it be just another dust catcher? Will you be prepared to pick up your kids’ newest toys with all the little parts and pieces strewn everywhere throughout the house? The toy cubbies are already overflowing from last year’s stash! Are you giving the gift because this is what the recipient really wants, or because you really love it and would secretly like to have it for yourself? Finding a gift for the person that has everything is another dilemma.
People lead busy lives. We have an abundance of choices to make daily and all seem equally important: we have families to take care of, bills to pay, errands to run, work to accomplish, and the slightest decision is no longer as simple as it once was. There’s never enough time to do it all. The dishes and laundry pile up. You can’t find the kitchen table. Your exercise regimen and your good intentions go to pot. You put on weight.
Here’s where the gift of your service really shines. It comes from the heart—takes up no space, collects no dust bunnies and creates good will beyond measure. Furthermore, you don’t have to spend long hours shopping at the malls, sitting in traffic jams or waiting endlessly at the post office.
In these challenging times, people need support, both financial and otherwise. A little personal assistance and attention will go a long way—whether it’s for a family member, friend or client. Remember, what you give you get back in return, and more. Consider buying a family pass to the Zoo, Sea world, the Aquarium, Legoland or a season ticket to the symphony or a favorite theatre; buy your gifts online and you’ll never have to leave the house. Offer to cook a meal, go grocery shopping, fix a hem, plant someone’s garden, or just file two weeks worth of papers.
A New Year is fast approaching, and a new set of holidays is coming up; no matter where you are in your life and career, put on your thinking cap and use your creative problem solving in a new way. You’re guaranteed to reap the benefits, and the gift of a few hours of your time will go far.
