Gift Giving - Let’s Break the Cycle of Awkward Gifts. Don't Guess. Just ASK!!!

Ah, the holiday season! A time for twinkling lights, cozy sweaters, and... let’s be honest, the annual stress-fest of finding the perfect gift. We’ve all been there: wandering through stores or doom-scrolling online, desperately hoping a magical, budget-friendly present will leap out and yell, “This is exactly what they want!” Spoiler alert: it rarely does.

But what if I told you there’s a better way? One that saves your sanity, reduces waste, and guarantees the recipient will actually love what they unwrap? It’s shockingly simple: just ask them what they want.

The Case for Asking: Why It’s Not the Grinch Move You Think It Is

Somewhere along the way, a rumor started that asking someone what they want makes your gift less thoughtful. Like, somehow, mind-reading is the gold standard of holiday cheer. But does it really?

When you ask someone what they want, you’re not being lazy—you’re showing you care enough to get it right. A well-chosen gift isn’t about proving your psychic abilities; it’s about making the other person feel seen and appreciated. And let’s be real, guessing often leads to epic fails:

• A sweater that’s two sizes too small.

• A kitchen gadget they’ll use once (if they even figure out what it does).

• A book they already own but are too polite to mention.

Now, instead of “nailed it,” you’ve got disappointment wrapped up in a bow. No one wins. Asking solves this! It’s practical, thoughtful, and yes, still full of holiday magic. Plus, it opens up opportunities for conversations like, “Hey, what’s on your wishlist this year?” or “What’s something you’ve been wanting but wouldn’t buy for yourself?”

A New Kind of Holiday Tradition

Instead of silently panicking about whether your gift will hit or miss, you ask your loved ones what they’d like. They’re relieved, you’re relieved, and everyone’s happy—what a concept! You could even turn it into a fun tradition:

• Wish-List Coffee Dates: Grab a holiday latte and swap ideas.

• Festive “Dear Santa” Jars: Everyone writes down their wishes and pulls from the jar.

• Family Group Chats: Create a “gift ideas” thread—bonus points for memes.

And if you’re worried about losing the surprise factor, remember: knowing what someone wants doesn’t mean you can’t get creative! Add a personal touch with thoughtful wrapping, handwritten notes, or pairing the gift with something unexpected.

Gifts That Aren’t Just “Stuff”

Another bonus of asking? It encourages people to think beyond material things. Some great ideas might include:

• Experiences: Tickets to a concert, a cooking class, or even a weekend getaway.

• Charity Donations: Supporting a cause they care about in their name.

• Acts of Service: Babysitting, helping with a DIY project, or a homemade dinner.

You’ll never know they’d prefer a spa day over a scarf unless you ask.

Let’s Break the Cycle of Awkward Gifts

Here’s the thing: The holidays are stressful enough without adding a game of “Guess What’s in My Brain” to the mix. By normalizing the simple act of asking, we can focus on what truly matters: the joy of giving and the excitement of receiving something you actually wanted.

It’s a win-win. They get a gift they’ll love. You get the satisfaction of knowing you nailed it. And you avoid the post-holiday return lines. Everyone wins—even your wallet.

So, Are You Team Ask or Team Surprise?

Alright, friends, let’s settle a debate: Do you prefer when someone asks what you want as a gift, or are you all about the surprise factor?

Are you Team "Tell me what you want, what you really really want" 🎶 or Team "Surprise me, I love the mystery"?

Drop your answer below—and if you're in Team Surprise, I hope you’re prepared for a random pair of socks or a fruitcake. 😜

(Asking for a friend. Definitely not trying to avoid last-minute gift stress… nope, not me at all.)

Mistakes Matter: Why Your Mistakes Are Secretly Your Greatest Teachers

I hate it when people say, “Don’t worry about your mistakes!” Sure, it’s well-meaning advice, but it kind of misses the point. Mistakes do matter—but not in the “beat-yourself-up-and-live-in-eternal-regret” way. There’s a fine line between learning from your slip-ups and letting them rent too much space in your brain. But dismissing them altogether? That’s a missed opportunity wrapped in denial.

Think about it: every mistake comes with a built-in lesson. Forgetting to double-check your work? Lesson learned—proofread like your life depends on it. Burned the cookies because you ignored the timer? Lesson learned—respect the timer. Went on a date with someone whose red flags were basically a full-blown parade? Lesson learned—trust your gut. Mistakes are basically life’s way of saying, “Hey, pay attention!” They’re not trying to ruin you; they’re trying to refine you.

The trick is not to dwell on the mistake itself but to extract the wisdom it’s offering. Ask yourself: What went wrong? What could I do differently next time? And, maybe the most important question of all, how can I laugh about this later? Because if you can’t laugh at your blunders, you’re missing out on the best part of being human.

Here’s the truth: nobody gets it right 100% of the time. Even the people you admire most—the ones who seem to have their lives perfectly curated on Instagram—have stumbled and face-planted more times than they’ll ever admit. The difference? They didn’t let their mistakes define them; they let their mistakes educate them.

So, the next time you mess up—and you will—resist the urge to brush it off with a casual, “It doesn’t matter.” Instead, take a moment to sit with it. Think about what went wrong, what you learned, and how you’ll crush it next time. Then, shake it off, laugh about it, and get back to being your fabulous, imperfect self.

Key Takeaways:

1. Mistakes aren’t failures; they’re feedback.

2. A little reflection goes a long way—don’t skip it.

3. Learning from your missteps is how you level up in life.

Life isn’t about avoiding mistakes; it’s about making better ones. So, go forth and blunder gloriously—you’ve got this!

The Wicked Truth About Perspectives: Lessons from the Land of Oz

Have you watched Wicked (the musical or the movie)? If not,  you’re missing out on one of the most captivating, heart-wrenching, and utterly relatable stories ever told. I fell head over heels for it the first time I saw it at the Pantages Theatre. (Full disclosure: my bank account didn’t appreciate the ticket price, but my soul? Oh, it thrived.)

Here’s the thing about Wicked: it isn’t just a spectacle of stunning songs and jaw-dropping visuals (though, let’s be real, “Defying Gravity” gives me chills every. single. time). It’s also a story that hits close to home for anyone who’s ever been misunderstood, misjudged, or painted as the villain without a fair trial. Sound familiar?

Raise your hand if you’ve ever been the victim of a rumor—one so twisted it made you wonder if people were secretly playing a game of “telephone” with your life. (I see you nodding over there.) Maybe someone decided they had your whole story figured out after hearing a single snippet from someone else. Or maybe you’ve been on the other side—assuming you knew the truth about someone based on hearsay. Either way, Wicked is here to remind us of a hard truth: there’s always more than one side to every story.

Why Perspectives Matter

Let’s talk about Elphaba, our misunderstood green queen. From the outside, she’s the villain—wicked, scary, dangerous. But as the story unfolds, we get to know her side: her struggles, her sacrifices, and the impossible situations she faced. Suddenly, the labels don’t stick so well.

Now think about your own life. How often do we make snap judgments about people based on partial information? Maybe it’s that coworker who always seems aloof (spoiler: they might be shy, not stuck-up). Or the friend who canceled plans last minute (what if they’re struggling with something they haven’t shared yet?).

It’s all about context, baby.

So, What Can We Learn from the Land of Oz?

1. Pause Before You Judge
   When you hear something about someone—good or bad—take a beat. Ask yourself: Do I really know the full story, or am I just filling in the blanks with assumptions?

2. Ask Questions, Don’t Assume Answers
   If you’re unsure about someone’s actions or intentions, ask them! Be the Glinda who listens, not the crowd that boos. (Bonus: this works wonders for relationships, too.)

3. Remember: Every Villain is a Hero in Their Own Story
   Even the so-called “bad guys” in life have their reasons. You don’t have to agree with them, but understanding where they’re coming from might surprise you.

Let’s Flip the Script

Here’s my challenge for you: The next time you feel yourself writing someone off—or when you’re feeling written off—channel your inner Elphaba. Stand tall, defy gravity, and remember that perspectives are never one-size-fits-all.

Also, maybe cut yourself some slack. People are complex. Life is messy. And sometimes, what looks “wicked” is just someone trying their best in a world that doesn’t always give them the benefit of the doubt.

So, let’s give each other a little grace (pun intended). Who knows? Maybe we’ll all walk away with a story worth singing about.

What do you think of Wicked? Have you ever been on the receiving—or giving—end of a misunderstood story? Let me know in the comments!