Coming into the new year can mean many things to different people. Some find a time of renewed hope, others are relieved from the pressures of Christmas and others see the opportunities that lie ahead.
Coronavirus has hit everyone hard and the good news of vaccines has put to rest some fears of an extended lockdown across the globe, although this pandemic is far from over.
Children have suffered a lot during the crisis and even though the winter holidays are behind us, the kids still need some love. News of further school closures the world over have had a huge impact on the education of children and many will be feeling a little disheartened, especially those at exam age such as those with GCSEs or SATs to complete.
A lot of teenagers can suffer from awkward anxiety at the best of times and a little reassurance can go a long way. Small gifts can mean a lot and in a commercially rampant world of expensive mobile devices, games consoles and exuberantly priced trainers, it’s easy to forget the real meaning behind gift-giving; the expression of love towards the recipient.
It isn’t about the price of the gift, it is the thought behind it and who it comes from that is important.
Sentimental gifts such as Pandora or Nomination Charms in order to highlight the connection between people have been shown to mean the most as they can strengthen bonds and relieve the stress of worrying about getting someone the wrong item. Telling a story can be very important to some families and many like to collect these as they can come with specially designed links that are added onto bracelets and rings etc.
A thoughtful gift is valued more than something like a new gaming console and the best ones will commemorate a memorable moment, the passing of a loved one or a special time in both of your lives.
If traditional sentimentality isn’t an option, then a more appropriate approach might be to adopt something a little more modern. In the current socially distanced world, spending time with relatives and loved ones might need to be done virtually.
Making a short FaceTime call, or something similar on the app of your choice could go a long way in reassuring someone you care about that they are not alone. Given health concerns, older people might suffer more during the colder months, and being able to physically help them with things might not be possible.
A well-timed video call could be just what they need to cheer them up if they are feeling marginalised or lonely. Of course, this could really apply to anybody, so taking the time to call someone might have a huge benefit.Expanding on the more modern approach, the internet isn’t just for video calls. Many activities can be done online with distanced relatives or friends. Online technology today allows for an almost limitless amount of interaction with such things as online games, online studio cycling like Peloton and cooking together can all help with bonding experiences during these difficult times.
