I know it’s a little cheesy, but it really is true…money can’t buy everything - especially happiness. This holiday season, give gifts that mean something. Sure, getting the material things you asked for is always nice, but usually the sparkle fades after the big unwrapping on Christmas day. The holidays are when people are feeling the most giving and compassionate. I always appreciate when people show me how much they truly care about me rather than buying me something “nice." Here are a few gifts to give that will mean much more than what is on your list:

Give to those in need

OK, I know, I know... This might seem obvious, but it’s true! Like I said, people are feeling the most giving around the holidays. It is a great time to grab some friends and head over to the local soup kitchen, homeless shelter or whatever you feel needs the most assistance in your community. A favorite of mine is caroling in hospitals and old folks' homes. It is a fun way to get in the holiday spirit, while lifting the spirits of others. Another easy thing to do is donate toys to a toy drive for foster children who may not get presents otherwise! You can go a step further and not only give to others, but ask others to give as their gift to you. Some of my favorite gifts from years past are the times someone saved a panda for me through the WWF or when someone donated to my favorite cause in my name. It shows you care about what your loved ones care about and will have a larger impact.

Make your gift

By make your gift, I don’t mean it has to be some elaborate DIY project because I have tried those, and it usually culminates in some kind of disaster and burns from the hot glue gun. If you want to show someone you put time and thought into their gift, a photo album of your favorite memories together is always a great way to do just that. Also, collecting ticket stubs from events you’ve been to together, cooking them their favorite meal or writing them a song or story are always appreciated. It is hard to put a price on a gift so full of love. Use your talents and use your passion, and they are guaranteed to be moved by the time and effort you put in just for them. Gifts with sentimental value never get thrown away, while other gifts usually get tossed or returned at some point. Even just making your holiday cards by hand and making them personal adds that extra touch of love to your gifts, without too much time and effort. At the end of the day, people will appreciate the little things that show how much you really care!

Give them an experience rather than a “thing”

It is pretty hard to dislike a gift you can remember forever and ever. Concert tickets for their favorite artist or festival, tickets to a sporting event for their favorite team, plane tickets for a vacation, cooking or painting classes, all of the above are sure to be deeply appreciated. It can also be fun to give these kinds of gifts because it often means (if you’re going with them to the event), you will get to spend more quality time together and do something fun. This also lets them know you remember what their interests are. Even if you don’t accompany them, you get to know you are giving them something that will bring them true joy.

Love

OK, sorry I’m back to being cheesy, but I’m still serious, this is a really important one! Whether you are proposing to your partner, or doing something a little less extreme, your loved ones will still appreciate knowing how much you love them, especially during the holidays. Find time to spend with your close friends and family, and try to make the best of every situation. The worst thing that kills the holiday spirit is a good ol’ fashioned Scrooge or Grinch. If you usually have road rage, are pessimistic or are just plain rude, perhaps try to put that on hold over the holidays. Give people hugs, have meaningful conversations and smile at everyone you see. The holidays can be just as stressful as they are merry and you never know who is going to need your positivity and love. Even complete strangers, people on the street, animals, people on the other side of the globe, find ways to spread your love and know how meaningful the gift of love is.

OK, I’m done being mushy…

Music

So, I’m well aware we no longer live in the Stone Age and, unfortunately, do not burn CD’s anymore or make personalized playlists on mix tapes. You can, however, make someone a playlist online and send it to them or actually burn them a CD - it's up to you! You can also write or perform your own musical tunes for them if you are gifted with that kind of talent. Music is one of the main things that brings joy into people’s lives, so it is a very underrated gift! Even caroling or playing holiday music on the street corner will spread some good vibes for the holidays.

Recipes

Family recipes can sometimes be top secret, but if you have some recipes that are allowed outside of the bloodline, it is an amazing gift to give. They will enjoy preparing the dishes and always think of you when other people enjoy them and ask for the recipe as well! It’s a great way to give a gift that keeps on giving for years to come and is actually quite fun and useful!

“Open when” letters

I think these would be an amazing gift that not only shows how much you care about them, but will continuously show them so through the bad times and the good. You can title the letters "open when you need a good laugh," "open when you are feeling really low," "open when you get married," "open when you need some love" or "open when you are mad at me," for example. These will all come in handy and become a sentimental keepsake they may want to look at for years to come.