7. Choose

“Choose your future, Love your choice.”

December 2024 I chose to give the gift of time. No physical gifts, please. For one year, one I.School experiment. This is how it went down: I caught some resistance from one adult and one child who are wonderful gift givers. Thoughtful, personalized gifted gift givers. Not me. I find the time Ive consumed shopping, and the emotional weight of present-exchange hierarchy a reverse gift. Too much stuff. Too many unrealistic expectations.

I chose time. Our small family gathered for a simple meal. We played games, enjoyed live music and told stories at the dinner table. Simple.

I chose to gift time. I told my small family to take whatever time you would spend on buying gifts, to utilize that time (one hour?) on themselves. Go and do, or not do anything you want for one hour. Happy Holidays.

Time gifted, is time open ended (for a time). We are not used to such luxuries as time, so it may take a few years to stick. But the reviews came in and they were a success.

“I thought it was another crazy mom idea at first. But it was nice to be relieved of additional pressure to buy a gift for those who have gifts.” (i.Adlib)

I.School taught me quite engaged listening to stories of others in a quiet setting is THE gift. I enjoyed this past holiday more than I imagined.

I Chose Life.