The Gift of Time: How to Spend the Festive Season Meaningfully

Christmas is fast-approaching and it’s easy to get swept up in the rush of gift shopping, parties, and the pressure to make everything perfect. It’s a time of year that can often feel frantic, with a focus on spending money on presents, social events, food and drink. It can all be good fun, but take a moment to consider how valuable the gift of time might be at this time of year.

For many in mid-life, it’s time that’s craved more than anything else. Whether that be quality time with loved ones, time alone to re-charge the batteries, or just time to switch off from work and de-stress.

Have you ever noticed how the most cherished memories often have little to do with the presents you give and receive? It’s more about the laughter shared around the dinner table, cozy evenings spent with loved ones, or even just quiet moments of reflection by the fire with your favourite tipple.

One of my favourite ‘jobs’ in the run-up to Christmas is to create a family film of our best photographs and video clips from the year. It’s fab to watch this back during the holidays and reflect on all that’s happened. It’s an inexpensive way to appreciate the year, but it does take time. I reckon it’s about an hour of editing for every 10 minutes of video!

The point is, what if you shifted your focus away from how you spend your money over the festive season, to how you spend your time?

Why the gift of time is so precious

We live in a world where time often feels like a luxury. Days are packed with work, responsibilities, and endless to-do lists, leaving little room for genuine relaxation.

Time is the one resource we can never get back. Unlike money or possessions, it’s finite. That’s what makes it so valuable.

Studies have shown that experiences, rather than material goods, bring us greater and more lasting happiness. A heartfelt conversation, a shared laugh, or even a quiet moment of companionship can create memories that far outshine any store-bought gift.

The holidays are the perfect opportunity to focus on these moments of connection and reflection.

By gifting your time to loved ones, to your community and to yourself, you’re offering something irreplaceable. It’s a gift that says, “you matter to me,” in a way no gift-wrapped present ever could.

Spending time on yourself

In the rush to make the holidays magical for everyone else, it’s easy to forget about your own needs. But taking time for yourself isn’t selfish; it’s essential. When you’re well-rested and mentally refreshed, you’re better equipped to make the most of the festive season.

What rejuvenates you? Is it getting out for a brisk, refreshing walk or staying in the warmth with a good book? A spa day, or a guilt-free slump on the couch watching a film?

If the idea of having a day with nothing planned and no jobs to do is completely alien to you, well, maybe that’s exactly what you need! “Enforced boredom” can sometimes be when the best ideas come along, igniting new-found passion for trying something different.

Even setting aside just 15 to 30 minutes a day for yourself can make a world of difference.

By carving out time for yourself, you’ll not only feel more balanced, but also bring more energy and warmth to your interactions with others.

Spending time with others

If you have time off work over Christmas, it could be a rare chance to slow down and reconnect with the people who matter most. It’s all too easy to get distracted by endless tasks or glued to screens, though, so you might need to be intentional about this. Actively carve out time to create meaningful memories.

Tom Rath and Jim Harter’s book, Wellbeing – The Five Essential Elements, notes that people with high Social Wellbeing deliberately spend time investing in their social networks. In fact, about six hours a day, on average.

That can include time with friends, family and colleagues, but also via email, phone and other forms of communication.

When you spend quality time with your loved ones, you’re not just boosting your own wellbeing and building stronger relationships. You’re also helping others through the gift of your undivided attention. And in a world full of distractions, that’s truly priceless.

The power of giving time to your community

While Christmas is often focussed on family and close friends, there’s also the option to consider the broader community. In the midst of gift-giving and celebrations, it’s easy to forget that many people experience the festive season as a time of loneliness or struggle.

Gifting your time to support others not only brightens their lives but also fills your own with a deeper sense of purpose. Community Wellbeing is another of Rath and Harper’s five essential elements.

Giving back doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. Simple acts of service can have a profound impact. Whether it’s serving meals, wrapping gifts for a children’s charity, or helping organise a community event, these small contributions create big ripple effects.

Volunteering can also set an inspiring example for children, teaching them the importance of empathy and service. It’s that sense of getting involved that can build confidence, deepen experience and widen perspective.

The gift of time: practical tips

Making time your greatest gift doesn’t just happen by chance. It needs a bit of intentional planning. Here are a few practical ideas to help you make the best use of your most precious resource:

1. Reflect on Your Priorities

Take some time to think about what’s most important to you. Ask yourself:

• Who do I most want to spend time with this season?
• What activities bring me the greatest sense of joy or connection?
• How can I ensure I have enough downtime for myself?

2. Create a Festive Season Time Plan

Almost treat your time in the same way you might create a budget for buying gifts. Set aside specific blocks for:

• Quality time with loved ones
• Personal care and relaxation
• Community events or volunteering

3. Say No to What Doesn’t Serve You

Although it’s tempting to say “yes “to every party, event, or invitation, overcommitting can lead to stress and exhaustion. Practice the art of saying “no”, politely but firmly, to things that don’t align with your values or priorities.

Freeing up time this way allows you to say a more enthusiastic “yes” to the things that do matter.

4. Plan Simple, Meaningful Activities

Not every moment has to be grand or elaborate. Sometimes, the simplest activities create the most lasting memories. I’m often struck by the simple things that busy professionals seem to miss when we discuss financial life planning:

• Walks with a partner or family
• Taking time out for a leisurely lunch or a coffee
• Trips to the theatre, cinema or bowling alley
• Playing board games with family

These fairly ‘unremarkable’ activities crop up surprisingly often, when I ask people what they’d like to do more of. They can leave a bigger impression than extravagant outings or gifts.

5. Start New Traditions Centred on Time

Consider creating traditions that celebrate time over material gifts. For instance:

• A “Time Capsule Night,” where everyone writes a note about their hopes for the next year to revisit in the future
• A “Memory Jar,” where family members jot down favourite moments from the year to read together on Hogmanay (New Year’s Eve)
• Some kind of event to support the local community, such as a group volunteering session or even going to support local businesses

6. Keep Space for Rest and Flexibility

Amid all that planning, leave room for spontaneity and downtime. Not every moment has to be scheduled. Sometimes, the best memories come from unplanned and unexpected events that ‘just happen’. And don’t forget to give yourself permission to rest; sometimes it can take practice to not feel guilty about doing nothing!

Summary

By shifting your focus to the gift of time, you open the door to more meaningful experiences. Time spent on self-care and with others nurtures your wellbeing across multiple levels.

So, as you look ahead to the next few weeks, savour your spending of both money and  time. Whether it’s a quiet walk, a shared meal, or a heartfelt conversation, these are the gifts that truly matter; the ones that can’t be wrapped but will be cherished forever.