by Heidi Trilling

Gifts from the heart are gifts of plenty. Photo credit: Heidi Trilling.

Want to present your family and friends with meaningful holiday gifts while keeping to your budget?

Try these suggestions for turning monetary frugality into spiritual abundance.

Offer “Coupons” for Babysitting, or Watering a Garden, or Grocery Shopping, or All Three

“I’m exhausted, so any help is a godsend!” says single working-dad Ethan. “Money’s tight. Free babysitting from a family at my son’s preschool was the best gift ever!”

Help out frazzled parents by taking the kids for a few hours. A weekly “day off” for mom or dad is ideal, but offer whatever you can: garden tending, shopping, laundering. It’s a blessing  for parents juggling work, household management and childcare.

Create Art

“When you sit down with paper and crayons, art comes out,” says 7-year-old Liam. “And if you frame it, it’s a present!”

Boost children’s self-esteem by valuing their artwork. Inexpensive art supplies that you probably have at home can be used to create endearing masterpieces. These can then serve as holiday decorations or be placed in “real” frames and be presented as gifts. Don’t underestimate the power of children’s art! Picasso once remarked that it took him a lifetime to learn to draw like a child — with pure faith, pure honesty and pure love. What better things are there to bestow upon others at holiday time — or any other time?

Plant Flowers

“When my young daughter was in the ICU, our neighbor planted colorful flowers near our front door,” says working-mom Patricia. “I came home from visiting the hospital one day and oh! What a beautiful surprise! He said they were “easy” impatiens that my daughter could take care of herself, when she came home. Now it’s two years later, and my daughter waters them every day!”

Inexpensive plants and a few minutes of working the soil can provide beauty and spiritual uplift. Surprise someone! Exercise your green thumb!

Cook or Bake Something

“I’ve been in this country 27 years,” says Havana-born Miguel. “So, it’s 27 years since I had a cubano sandwich — with mojo [sauce] too! And pastelitos [little pies] for dessert! My 10-year old granddaughter made this meal for me last Christmas. Brought me back home for the holidays!”

Taking time to make a dish from scratch really shows that you care. Try honoring someone’s heritage by learning a recipe from the Old Country. Otherwise, a fragrant batch of cookies, a hearty soup — anything fresh from your kitchen — will delight someone.

Teach Something

“My computer skills needed updating, but I couldn’t afford a class. It was a real problem,” says Gail, a retired schoolteacher needing to rejoin the workforce. “My former student, a software engineer, saved my life! He taught me one-on-one, for free!”

Have a skill that you can teach a friend? Giving of your time and know-how can help someone gain confidence, get a new job, change her life. Be the positive change someone needs. That’s the gift of a lifetime.

Serenade Someone

“Lost my job before Halloween last year and was pretty bummed,” says 20-year-old programmer Jeremy. “Still wasn’t working in December, so Christmas presents for my girlfriend? No way. Instead, I took her to the beach, and played her favorite songs on my guitar. Thought she’d be mad, but guess what? She loved it! Chicks love that stuff!”

Guys love that stuff, too. Consider serenading your partner for the holidays. Or your child can dress up, create a “playbill,” and present a private piano recital for family or dear friends. Don’t play an instrument? That’s OK. Your voice is an instrument: Sing! Can’t sing? Recite a poem. Read aloud to someone. Write a letter in your own handwriting. You can’t go wrong with communicating.

With forethought and creativity, abundant giving is possible in a tough economy.

Just remember the golden rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Practice being a good neighbor, a devoted friend, a loving  partner, a good person.

Bring joy to yourself and others. And be thankful for all that you receive. Every day.