Christmas Gift Suggestions: To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a FRIEND, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect.
— Oren Arnold

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! It’s the season of showing the people we love, how much we actually do!

Our friends and family make our days and lives. And, thankfully, the holidays give us the reminder to stop and show and share our appreciation for the blessing of their friendship and love.

Inspired by the above quote, we have some ideas for Gift ideas for our greatest supporters … things you can’t find in a store, or exchange for another size … gifts that are unique to you and her, and your unique, beautiful friendship!

To BUSY WOMEN, Give the gift of TIME – We’re a gender who take on too much. We rarely say ‘No.’ We are caregivers to our family and friends (and coworkers, neighbors, etc. etc.). Bottom line: we’re BUSY. For girlfriends with too much on their ‘To Do’ list and too little free time, give the gift of time. Run errands for her. (or just go along with her while she does her errands, you’ll both have more fun!) Give a thoughtful, personal gift certificates – like to plant her garden for her, cook for her next dinner party, airport transport for her upcoming travels, or anything that you can do to help her de-stress by taking something off her list.

To FRIENDS WHO ARE STRUGGLING, Give them UNDERSTANDING and SUPPORT – We all have years where we’re the one struggling with sadness over a lost friend, relationship or job. On the years where we’re not the ones struggling, let’s pay special attention to the friends around us who are. The girlfriends who’s relationships have ended, parents have passed, children are distant – they need us. And we need them. Be the friend who listens, who invites them over for a special meal, who lets them talk or cry when they need to. (A few resources: Helping a Girlfriend in a Difficult Situation, Who not to include in your Holidays, and Struggles that make you stronger.)

To a FRIEND with whom we’ve had a DISAGREEMENT, give the gift of FORGIVENESS – Remember girlfriends, life is too short. WAY too short. Wrap up the issues of the past and give the gift of forgiveness. Resolve a fight. Say you’re sorry. Look forward to the New Year and re-newed friendships!

To FRIENDS WHO MEAN MORE TO US THAN THEY KNOW –  Unfortunately, we all get busy, we sometimes don’t express our appreciation and love the way that we should. The holidays are a wonderful time of the year that free us up to be more expressive to friends who make such a difference in our lives.  A great idea to tell and show our friends how we consider their friendship a blessing … There is a great video that we shared on our Friday Favorite Videos about writing a letter to someone who really made a difference in our life. Then, they ‘made’ the writer call the person they wrote about and read it aloud to them. It was a beautiful experiment – try it!

We have the opportunity, almost the obligation, to be the kind of friend we’d love to have. Show your friends how much you love them this holiday. It’s the gift you’ll never regret, they’ll cherish and your friendship will continue to grow. Happy Holidays Girlfriends!

This week on Girlfriendology:

• Friday 5 Favorite Videos – Christmas Music!
• Thankful Thursday: Decorating the Holidays with Memories (& Friends!)
• Helping a Girlfriend in a Difficult Situation | Advice from Marlena Stoddard
• Girlfriend Gifts: Gifts for your Fitness Friends | Christmas, Hanukkah, Birthday Gifts
• Girlfriend Gifts: Gifts for Women who Love Chocolate! | Christmas, Hanukkah, Birthday Gifts
• 5 Ways to De-Stress Your Holidays
• Cyber Monday Girlfriend Gifts – Let the Holidays Begin!