Comments on: get rid of psychic fat

By: Davina

Davina — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 21:24:07 +0000

I love that phrase – ‘psychic fat’ and it is so appropriate. It is true – we do want less ‘stuff’ yet we tend to habitually accumulate it. I think this is definitely one area we want quality not quantity – quality of experience that is and not quantity of ‘stuff’! Brilliant post.

By: Derrick Miramontes

Derrick Miramontes — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 22:34:16 +0000

Great ideas Nicole! Being from California and now living in Chicago I am finding it financially difficult to get gifts and ship them home so I’m trying to find alternatives. An old friend of mine is very motivated towards a career that works with special needs kids by using animals like dolphins, horses, etc. and she tells me she gets so excited but overwhelmed when thinking about it. Sooo I am actually going to be giving my first goal coaching session so I can hopefully take away the overwhelming feeling by getting her to write down some goals over the next 10 years that will get her to the career she wants!

I guess what I’m saying is the gift of goal coaching can be life changing and psychologically relieving for some who are easily stressed! I’m actually going to give her a call now, keep those great ideas coming everyone!!

By: Nicole

Nicole — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:35:10 +0000

It’s a gift for me simply checking the inspiring posts on this blog! THANK YOU all for sharing your stories and ideas.

On this snowy morning in Chicago, I’m making special vouchers for play-dates with my nephews…

Nicole

By: Shawna

Shawna — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 17:32:08 +0000

The best gift I have ever received didn’t come in a box or was it wrapped in a bow. It was simply the gift of forgiveness from a friend. It was the best thing I have gotten to this date.

By: Elissa Joy

Elissa Joy — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 17:15:23 +0000

The “Best Christmas Present Ever” award goes to my brother Jon, who found my father’s fifty year old violin (which was destroyed by Ontario humidity) & laboured over it to fully restore it. When he went to buy the materials to do so, the tradesman in the store told him it was impossible & that it wasn’t worth the glue to repair it. Forget that. My brother toiled for hours, gluing, stringing, tuning. He wrapped the bow and put it under the tree with a note to go look on the dining room table. I’ll never forget the magic of hearing my father play his violin after decades of silence. It was beautiful.

By: Carolyn

Carolyn — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 19:58:50 +0000

Another goosebump inducing post! This was such a great reminder for not only this time of year, but to carry with us through our day to day lives.

Our family – in lieu of doing gifts – chooses to put the money that we would spend on “stuff” and do a family vacation together. Each year we pick a new place to visit, and allot our holiday spending money to that trip. It hasn’t changed Christmas morning one bit, and it allows us to spend a full week of quality time and adventure together!

We did our Coles Family Christmas just north of Playa del Carmen this year, and I can’t wait to see where 2010 takes us.

By: marc

marc — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 04:15:08 +0000

A donation to Interplast in someone’s name is a wonderful gift.

http://interplast.org/

By: Ashley

Ashley — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 21:00:58 +0000

LOVE this post Nicole.

My favourite is experiential gifts that required some planning… so maybe that means a day of activities together, planned by the “gift giver”. Or a scavenger hunt of activities. We remember the moments after all.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 13:48:06 +0000

I couldn’t agree with you more! I take a couple of boxes and bags of “stuff” to Goodwill at least 3-4x’s a year. I don’t need “stuff”. I want to spend quality time with hubby and the family! That is what matters most to me!

By: Cheryl

Cheryl — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 05:26:51 +0000

What do I want? Family time together. Holiday traditions. Not necessarily “psychic fat” (but I do love a box with a bow on it), come on, who doesn’t? Like maybe a pair of Lululemon Yoga pants made to fit the sixty something body, that are a bit forgiving and not clinging to my every bumpy curve. I would like to spend a few hours with my children teaching them to make favorite holiday candies or cookies. Or gathering to sing Christmas carols and reflecting on holiday memories with long passed grandparents. An hour or two of technology tutoring would be a great gift. A favorite birthday was a tour of the Contemporary Art Institute with mentoring along the way. But a Christmas dinner together, sharing time and space and opinions and thanks for all that we have… I am there. Wonderful thought inspiring blog. Thanks Nicole.

By: Carina

Carina — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 21:25:38 +0000

Two things my famliy likes to exchange for christmas, time and talent. Its taking something youre really great at and sharing it with your famdamily. For example, I love to give energy massages, dance, or practice QiGong. We set aside a day during the holidays and “teach” our talent. Its ridiculously fun, bonding, and monetarily inexpensive!
Time is a big one as well. One of my favorites is going to the public library and taking out a complimentary family pass to any museum in the city, last time we went to the modern wing at the Art Institute!
Thanks for all your ideas, Nicole, I love them and think theyre extremely important in order to keep family values in check. Thanks for the joy of reading something thoughtful and significant.

By: Debra Kosek

Debra Kosek — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 21:07:09 +0000

Nicole, you’re so amazing and selfless! Your sharing really made a difference for me, and people have already shared some really great suggestions! Request an ice skating date in Millennium Park, or a tobogganing trip You could always ask for an inexpensive winter coat to bring to a collection for the less fortunate for those freezing Chicago nights too! Last suggestion, since I personally know you, you could ask for a date with the village cyclery so you can get a new tube for your bike and get that puppy back in shape 

By: Brian

Brian — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 20:17:08 +0000

You can never go wrong with a picture frame, especially if you make it yourself.
Being that I run many races every year and I’ll do them whether I pay for it or not, I would love some complimentary race registrations as gifts. That being said, if it’s not a distance that they are already comfortable with, sometimes you’ll want to let them dictate the pace at which they sign up for things. Same for a Gym membership. For many people, if there is no cost to them, they might find less encouragement to get the value out of it. If you have to dip into your own pocket for a personal trainer, you’re going to be sure to work hard and get your money’s worth right? Maybe not as much if it was just given to you.

By: Stacy

Stacy — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 19:09:38 +0000

One of the best gifts I created was a multiple photo frame for my Mom. I selected 3 ages and placed photos of each of us at that moment in our lives. She is so much a part of the woman I’ve become. It’s so special to see the resembalance.

Anytime I give a frame as a gift I always write on the inside backing, too. It’s like writing a note when you give a book. Thanks, Nicole, for the thoughtfulness!

By: Ellen

Ellen — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:57:19 +0000

Right there with you! This year I asked for activities…gift certificates to yoga classes, cooking classes, ballet classes.. and encouraged everyone to join me. Good-bye stuff, hello fun and love!