As an English major, I see that words can affect change. One of the effects words can have is changing people’s opinions and emotions.

It’s hard to know how much your words will impact others, but the things you say each day can make people laugh, make their hearts leap and make them believe that life is good.

If you have the ability to do these things, why would you not use this great power for good?

Compliment your loved ones. I’m not talking about complimenting their outfits or physical features. It’s a nice thing to do, but it doesn’t carry much weight because it’s not very personal. Instead, compliment people’s character or personality traits.

You can tell people you admire how passionate, empathetic, adventurous, dependable, thoughtful, charismatic, or driven they are.

I encourage you to take the time to honor the relationships you treasure most. It’s a mistake to assume that people already know how you feel about them.

When I asked one of my friends what the greatest compliment he’s ever received has been, he said a younger guy he went to high school with told him he’d written about him in his college essay because he was grateful for the effort my friend made to include him in their high school sports team. My friend wouldn’t have known the magnitude of his impact on the other athlete’s life if he hadn’t shared it with him.

Ask your friends what the best compliment they’ve received is. I guarantee that no one will say the best compliment they’ve ever received was when someone complimented their shirt. Your loved one’s relationship to the person who complimented them and the content of the compliment will be unique.

When giving compliments, simply be truthful. Reflect on what you admire about the person you’re complimenting and share your answer with them. Be as specific as you can. Focus on what makes them unique and what their values appear to be. Is your friend always honest? You can tell them you admire their commitment to integrity because being honest is a choice they have to consistently make.

Examples of strong compliments include, “I like to hear you laugh,” “I wish I had met you sooner in life,” “You are brave,” “You have talent,” “You have a rare way of connecting with others,” and “If there were more people like you in the world, it would be a better place.”

Tell your friends you are proud of them, share how influential they’ve been in your life or thank them for specific things they’ve done.

The holidays are here, and I believe that compliments and hand-written letters are the most meaningful presents you can give to your friends. We are broke college students, but we are capable of giving something that money can’t buy: love. Show your loved ones and friends that you care about them this season by giving them something to be grateful for: your friendship and your kind words.

In the midst of giving an abundance of love, remember to take note of the love others show you, also.