I recently received a very beautiful gift, a basket lined with gold tissue paper, containing jars of homemade jelly, hot sauce, and a beautifully decorated homemade cake. I was surprised that someone had cared enough to think of me and put in so much effort.

And it made me reflect on the many different ways we can let someone know that we are thinking of them, that we value our friendship, and that we care.

In these days of social media and selfies, it often happens that special moments become blurry and they all blend together. Every outing and time we spend together seems to be commemorated by someone somewhere. But certain dates and times are more special than others.

-Why not show how much you care by making a scrapbook or album? of those people, dates and events that have special relevance to them. A much loved pet, the birth of a child, a historic victory, the loss of someone special; they could all be compiled into one attractive book. It would be treasured and lovingly reviewed, making them laugh or cry, no doubt providing them with hours of nostalgia, reflection, and memories.

– Make a personalized gift that uses their special abilities. it’s another way to show how much you care. If you are an artist, you can paint their favorite sight, their pet, something that you know they will treasure. You will spend your time doing something meaningful to them while making a generous gesture, sharing your talent, and giving yourself. Other ideas might be to provide support with administration, accounts, ordering, decorating a cake, or cooking your signature dish.

– Help with the housework When someone is stressed and pressed for time it can show how much you care. It’s considerate of you to pick up your kids from school, help out in the garden, iron, or make a meal, and you can be a lifesaver in helping them this way when they’re really pressed for time. Or maybe offer to babysit one night so they can have a little time to themselves; then they can go out or do something really forgiving for a change.

– Show how much you care It can be as simple as picking up a flyer for a free talk, show, or expo that you know would interest them. It’s another thoughtful gesture that says, ‘I saw this and I thought of you.’

– Reserve time to pick up the phone. And simply calling them to chat, spending as much time as necessary, can be an insightful way to show that you care, especially if the other person has a lot to do and is struggling to get out of the house. You could both make a drink, make yourself comfortable, and sit down and talk about things. Being heard and feeling supported can make a difference in stressful times.

– Asking, ‘what can I do to help?’, And showing that you are genuine and serious about your offer can be important when someone is having a particularly difficult time. Knowing that you are on their team can make a difference. Things don’t seem so bleak when we’re not alone, with someone to share it with.

– If you are associated Showing that you care is not about expensive gifts, but more about the keys of the day to day that show love and commitment. Giving your partner a bath after they’ve had a stressful and busy day, cooking a meal, having a drink ready as they walk through the door, tidying up – these can all be much appreciated ways to show that you care, and it all costs nothing. . financially.

How wonderful that after receiving such a lovely and precious gift, it prompted me to reflect on the different ways we can show others how much we care. I daresay you will be able to add several of yours to the list. Please do it!