The festive holidays are here and the essence and spirit of festivity is in the air. One of the best things about the festive season is the joy of receiving and giving away gifts. But the gifts listed below are not seasonal which means they can be given all year long. Giving not only develops character but also enriches the recipient besides the fact that these special gifts do not cost a penny. The gift of affection: Always be generous and show your affection to family, friends and acquaintances through apt actions of hugs, back pats and handshakes. Even a consideration shown to a stranger through a smile would never go in vain; they even say that a smile does not need any language! The gift of a compliment: A simple and sincere compliment can make anybody’s day and it would cost you nothing. The gift of favor: It never hurts to go through your way to do something kind or help someone but always leads to appreciation from the receiver. The gift of listening: We have two ears so why not put in some more effort to listen to someone. Don’t plan your response but merely listen. When someone talks about their sad news, sympathize with them or when they are happy, share their joy. The gift of politeness: A smile with a straightforward “thank you” or wishing someone the best in their endeavors is always a good idea. It adds sparkle to your personality and shows the person receiving this kind gesture that you are a happy and courteous person. Hope everyone would try sharing some of the above gifts that cost nothing but are so beautiful. With this as an endnote, I wish all the readers of Teen Times a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, come 2012. The writer is a 17-year-old teenage girl. arundhati94@yahoo.co.uk
