Why Time Is the Most Generous Gift You Can Give This Christmas

Photo by Mai In May at Pexels.com

"Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas."
~ Peg Braken

The hectic holiday season is upon us, and there is so much hustle and bustle all around. There are cookies to bake, holiday feasts to prepare, trees to decorate, gifts to buy and wrap, and endless festive parties and events to schedule and attend. Sometimes it feels like we can barely catch a breath.

This season can really leave a person feeling overwhelmed and exhausted, yet despite all this, it is so important to remember what should be our priorities.

​Don't become so busy running around that you forget to enjoy who and what is right in front of you.

​This blog highlights the gift of time and why your presence is truly more important than your presents.

Photo by Little Lessons Learned by Dana

The Power of a Few Minutes of Time

I received a special treasure this week in the form of a handmade thank you card. It was from an absolutely precious former student. It was so unexpected and appreciated. What really got my attention was what she said in her card. She wrote "thank you for spending time with me and always giving me hugs."

This little sweetheart was in my class last year. Every day she still comes to see me for multiple hugs, and she finds me on yard duty, holds my hand, and visits with me. It is just a few minutes at a time, but very meaningful for both of us. We enjoy each other's company, and she is always a breath of fresh air in my day.

​As an aside to this sweet little story, her teacher this year asked if she gave me a thank you card, and she replied yes. Her teacher then said, "You filled her bucket today." They had been reading about how being kind is like filling up someone's invisible bucket, based on the best-selling book Have You Filled a Bucket Today? The student replied, "I fill her bucket every day." I completely agree!

My Mom on her last Christmas shared with us.

A Christmas I Didn't Know to Treasure

The above picture is of my irreplaceable Mom on her last Christmas with us. It was in 2020. The interesting thing to ponder is although my Mom has passed away, she died in 2022. How could we have known that just a few brief months after this very happy Christmas photo was taken, my outgoing, people-loving, gregarious Mom would fall into deep debilitating depression that would steal her joy for the few Christmases that she had left.

To think we almost didn't get together that year is unbelievable. It was Covid 19 time and the government was advising no gatherings even despite that it was Christmas. Thank God we did anyways and had that priceless time to treasure.

What I wouldn't give for even 5 more minutes with her to hug her and chat with her. Losing her was one of the biggest heartbreaks of my life and it really brought home for me even more how spending time with the important people in your life is so very essential.  We need to do it now.

Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash

Everyone is busy. Make the time.

Can I make a confession? It really bothers me when people, (myself included) get caught up in the "I'm just so busy" trap. We should never be too busy to spend time with those who are important to us and we need to learn to put less urgent matters on the backburner from time to time.

My friend Stacie and I got together for a long-overdue coffee date last week. We had been needing to catch up for weeks and kept saying, "Let's get together." We realized we needed to be more intentional about getting our visit on the calendar.

You see, the "let's have coffee sometime" phrase does not cut it, my friend. Without getting a date scheduled, it most likely will not happen.

​Our visit, due to other commitments, was just over an hour, yet we covered so much ground and were able to reconnect and have a very much needed meaningful conversation. I left feeling encouraged and edified and was so grateful to have had that time with her, even if it was way too brief. It still mattered and blessed us both.

Photo by paje victoria on Unsplash

Intentional Holidays

This holiday season, remember that time is a very valuable commodity. We don't know how much we have, but any we give to others is absolutely priceless.

Call to Action

1. Look at your calendar and see if there are things you can exclude to free up some time for the special people in your life.
2. Make a list of those friends and family who you are needing to have a long-overdue visit with, and get in touch.
3. Set up meaningful visits with those you love and treat them like appointments.
4. Make a new year's resolution to be more intentional with the gift of time for those you love.

Until next time,
Dana

​P.S. If you are missing time with someone this holiday season because you are grieving, I understand. You are having a Different Kind of Christmas. Take some time to reflect and remember the happy moments. Don't forget all those around you that you do still have.

​Copyright: littlelessonslearnedbydana, © 2025

Author

Dana Romualdi is an elementary teacher, social worker, and writer who is passionate about helping others find hope, healing, and growth through life’s challenges. As the creator of Little Lessons Learned by Dana, she shares faith-filled insights and practical wisdom to inspire others to live with purpose and compassion.

Tags: gift of time, time well spent, meaningful moments, family time, quality time, togetherness, cherish every moment, Christmas spirit, holiday joy, mindful moments, heartfelt holidays, intentional living