As we end this holiday season, it makes sense to pause for a moment and think about gifts. What’s the point of them?

On a basic level, we give gifts because we’re supposed to. On certain occasions — birthdays, anniversaries, dinner parties, the end of the year — it’s customary.

Underlying that custom is an important purpose: appreciation. We give people gifts to show them that we are grateful for them and value the role they play in our lives.

But here’s a common misconception: the bigger, more valuable the gift, the more it expresses our appreciation. Because gifts don’t express appreciation, people do. And when people don’t express it, neither do their gifts.

Can there be a perfect one-size-fits-all gift? But that becomes an important criteria when for wedding favours, event collaterals or tokens of appreciation. When the gift market is crowded with numerous knick knacks and gadgets made to fit budgets rather than utility, the value of the gift gets degraded. In this age of minimal clutter, anything that does not add value to our lives is usually discarded.

We also want our gifts to be relevant, sustainable, and cost effective. Most often, it also needs to be gender neutral.

In an international scenario, one has to consider cultural sensibilities also while gifting. What may be suitable for one culture may be quite adverse for another.

There are very few items that can check all the boxes.

But I’d like to suggest an additional way to appreciate the people around us. A way that costs nothing and feels great to everyone involved: in a handwritten note, tell them why you appreciate them.

Extend this by gifting people a habit of gratitude through our various gratitude products

When they come in to work with a thankful heart, the productivity will be so much more. A grateful person at home will be like a ray of sunshine in the house.

It is certainly the thought that counts and a simple indication that you have turned yourself towards conscious living, either through habits or products that are eco friendly will be the better gift.