This year, why don't we trade in material gifts for something different? Something more personal like our time or a good experience To the people we love, we don't always have to think about material objects. Here are our five ideas for you to give gifts to those people you love, and why not? to give to us too.
When it comes to gift-giving, most of us don't hesitate to spend money to buy that object that, honestly, will rarely make someone happy. Many times we think that they will like something and then it turns out that they end up changing it as soon as the shops allow it. We are bombarded by advertising and this makes us lose the sense of gift.
Giving means, first of all, show that person that we have thought of them, and that within those thoughts, is part of our affection and our love. Based on that reflection, why don't we use it to make gifts that are a little different from others? We do not give objects for these holidays, but something much more precious and different, which we are often reluctant to give (even to ourselves): tiempo.
We have the mentality or conviction that giving a material object is enough for the other person to be happy, when most of the time the other person would be much happier if instead of material gifts we gave them part of our time. But not just our time, without more, but quality time, connection, sensations, emotions.
We all, to a greater or lesser extent, have thousands of things to do, and it seems like no one has time for others, whether it's our own children, parents, friends, or partners. That's why this year could be a good year to change that idea and choose to give our time and attention—a kind of attention that shows our love for the people we love and that reflects our thoughts on them. We're sure it will be the most beautiful gift. If you don't know what to do, here are our suggestions. five ideas to donate time and experiences instead of material objects.
We'd like to emphasize that all these gifts don't have to be for those we love, and that we can add ourselves to the gift package or even give it to ourselves. We're stingy with giving time to others, that's undeniable, but perhaps we're even more so with ourselves. Everything in our lives seems more important than ourselves. Work, home, children, our partner, school, etc. We tend to put all these tasks first, and in this way, our needs and desires take a back seat, almost disappearing in the sea of ​​things to do.
Gift Ideas 1: theater, cinema or musical subscription
Cinemas and theaters usually offer the possibility of buying a book of tickets for a certain number of shows, which we can give to a friend who likes love movies or the great plays. Or our partner, and that's how we go too and enjoy the show. Going there together will cement the relationship we have with the person who received the gift and it will be a wonderful way to share an experience.
If we do not want to buy a full subscription, we can also opt for buy a ticket for a single theater performance or for a single film. We can think of the one in which that actor that we both like so much or that you have ever talked about that you would like to see is there. Especially for children, who, apart from exciting them with something they wanted to see, will bring them many benefits, such as:
- Stimulate their creativity of the small (and not so small). To see a movie, play or musical is to immerse yourself in a fantasy world where anything is possible. This type of experience stimulates the imagination and helps them to develop new ideas.
- Expand language it allows them to listen and observe words that may be new to them, and even learn the gestures of the actors on stage.
- Improves concentration. Attending a play, a musical or even going to see a movie at the cinema requires viewers to pay attention to follow the story.
- teach empathy or the ability to put yourself in the place of others. There are those who identify with the characters they see and even feel the same emotions as them.
- Improve socialization. It favors socialization, since it is something that is usually done with more people.
- Increase self-esteem and self-confidence. Especially when it comes to theatrical performances, and even more so if it allows them to participate themselves.
- Teaches respect for the rules. Remember that in these venues, spectators must remain silent during the show and not disturb others.
- Promotes critical thinking, that is, the ability to analyze and interpret situations autonomously and consciously.
- Teaches to appreciate differences between people and between cultures. Viewers are given the opportunity to take a close look at characters who come from different backgrounds and better understand their cultures and life experiences.
- stimulates curiosity of viewers about the world around them.
Gift ideas 2: an entrance to a museum
Whether it is a contemporary art exhibition or a retrospective of a great photographer, we can choose it as a gift for someone close to us and even better if we visit them with them. In addition to being a different and original gift idea, it is also a way to broaden your cultural horizons.
Gift Ideas 3: a day at the spa
The perfect gift for your better half but also For a best friend, sister or for parents. Spending a day dedicated to body care is a pampering that we very rarely give ourselves, unless someone offers us the opportunity. All spas and thermal establishments usually offer the possibility of giving away a ticket to the center or buying a package of treatments such as mud massages, use of different saunas, Turkish bath, etc.
In addition, it is a splendid gift that we can give ourselves at the same time that we give it to others. It is about choosing a treatment that we would like to experience and that we enjoy a moment for ourselves, far from the stress and monotony of the routine.
This gift is also a gift for health:
Spa benefits
It is a natural, relaxing remedy that also It has no contraindications. We refer to the hot springsAn authentic panacea for both body and soul, known since ancient times. It is proven that going to a spa allows us considerably reduce the use of conventional medicines in the treatment of numerous pathologiesThese treatments are particularly recommended for the treatment of respiratory diseases, but also, in general, for their anti-inflammatory action. Even the World Health Organization has included thermal medicine in its goals until 2025. For this reason, enjoying a few days at the spa will be an investment not only for mental well-being, but also for Avoid wasting time and money treating seasonal ailments that are often easily preventable.
Benefits of thermal pools
Before you start looking for a spa like crazy by proximity or price, I recommend that you look at the composition of the water, as it varies depending on the source usedThe varying concentration of minerals leads to thermal pools being divided into sulfurous, sulfate, carbonic, arsenic-ferruginous, and bicarbonate waters. In our country, there are numerous thermal sites that contain each of these different types of water. We just need to know which ones are the most appropriate for the specific treatments we need..
Gift ideas 4: a course
If we share a passion with our mother, brother, or best friend, why not choose these moments to sign them up for a course and improve their passion? There are a wide variety of courses. It could be an embroidery course, a pottery course, a vegan cooking class, or even Argentine tango lessons or learning to play the piano. What's more, if we have a common hobby, why not sign each other up for a course?
Gift ideas: a trip to nature
Another original gift for which it is not necessary to spend a lot of money is to organize a pleasant walk by the sea (even now that it is winter!) or a hike in the mountains. Walking is a wonderful way to get away from the worries and anxieties of everyday life and regain your spirit.
It is an ideal gift to give our children, who thus have the opportunity to run and explore nature. But also for a father, who will be able to enjoy a day outdoors and some fresh air.
Taking a trip, whether it is a route traveled mostly by the faithful, such as the Camino de Santiago de Compostela, or by pilgrims and crusaders, such as the Via Francigena, is undoubtedly a form of spiritual tourism, but also training. The psychophysical benefits of a longer or shorter walk have been highlighted and have now been confirmed. The simple habit of walk at least 30 minutes a day It's a panacea for your health. It will help you stay fit, lose weight, release endorphins, deal with stress, and breathe deeply.
Trails: benefits of trekking
The benefits of trekking, that is, of following paths and trails for several days are:
- Improved vision. You walk in nature, and always outdoors, which frees your eyes from exposure to artificial light sources such as computer screens, phones, and other devices.
- Reduces the risk of diabetes and insulin resistance. Regular, brisk walking helps metabolize glucose and activates the entire metabolism: insulin is able to properly metabolize sugars, preventing diabetes.
- Train the muscles of 90% of the body. The segments of the upper body are trained, as well as the lower extremities, through a muscle stimulation more extensive. All muscles are worked: back, triceps, biceps, deltoids, abdominals, lumbar.
- Reduces the risk of heart disease. Walking is good for the heart, improves heart function and helps lower cholesterol.
- It helps burn calories and lose weight. A 30-minute walk a day is enough to stay in shape. Hiking on mountain trails or even slightly incline trails helps burn more calories than walking on a treadmill would.
- Improves respiratory function. When walking for long periods of time, your breathing rate tends to increase: with each inhalation, a greater amount of air is drawn into your lungs. Lung contraction also strengthens your respiratory system.
- Fix calcium in the bones. Walking outdoors, exposing ourselves to daylight and sunshine, helps replenish vitamin B12, produced by our bodies through sun exposure. This helps prevent the onset of conditions such as osteoporosis and rickets.
- Reduces stress. We produce endorphins and serotonin, the feel-good hormones, especially during physical activity.