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Give the gift of presence over presents

BE MERRY... While it is normal to want to give gifts over Christmas, it is ok to take away some of the pressure and focus on meaningful presence over presents, while instilling gratitude and kindness over the festive period. Photo: Supplied

CHRISTMAS is a season of giving, but it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle of buying the perfect presents. While gifts bring joy, the true magic of the holidays lies in the moments we share with people we care about.

This year, why not shift the focus from the presents under the tree to the gift of meaningful presence? Spending quality time together and creating a strong, joyful bond with family and friends doesn’t require a big budget and fosters connection, which is what Christmas is truly about!

Here are some ideas to strengthen family bonds and promote gratitude this holiday season:

Unplug from technology. Put away the phones, tablets and other distractions when spending time with loved ones. Focus on face-to-face conversations and shared experiences.

BE MERRY… While it is normal to want to give gifts over Christmas, it is ok to take away some of the pressure and focus on meaningful presence over presents, while instilling gratitude and kindness over the festive period. Photo: Supplied

Start a family tradition. These could be free or low-cost, such as seeking out local Christmas light displays, baking together, playing board games, or taking festive photos.

Volunteer together. Spending time helping those in need is a meaningful way to connect and to make a difference in the community.

Invest in experiences over material presents. Experience-based gifts, such as a zoo membership, event tickets, or vouchers for activities or classes, create opportunities to build lasting memories, spend quality time together, and foster personal growth, learning, and the pursuit of interests.