“Sometimes,’ said Pooh, ‘the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.” ― A.A. Milne

Such true words spoken in that quote said by Winnie the Pooh. When I think of the things that have really touched my heart the most I think of the smallest things others have done that meant the world to me, like a note from a child expressing love and appreciation, a thoughtful act of caring from my sweetheart, the laughter and snuggles of a grandchild, a hug from a friend, the courtesy of someone holding the door open, a listening ear on a bad day, a card expressing appreciation, a parent sharing that they’re proud, a smile from a stranger, a homemade treat left at the door…

It’s those smallest of things that people do to let us know we matter to them that really fill our hearts the most. I think that’s especially important to remember as we head into the month of December tomorrow. The commercial hype around the holidays in December can create a lot of pressure and stress to find the most perfect, most elaborate gifts to give and we can find ourselves being sucked into spending more money that we should on things people really don’t need. If we aren’t careful we can quickly let the whole point of the holidays get completely overshadowed.

December should really be about letting people know that we love them, not by buying big, elaborate, over the top gifts, but by taking time from our busy lives to spend time with them bonding over hot cocoa and eggnog while trimming a tree and frosting cookies together. It’s a time to incorporate traditions and decorate gingerbread houses and go look at the Christmas lights while singing carols. And it’s taking time to think about all you know about a person and then finding a small, yet meaningful way, to say I love you and I am grateful to have you in my life in the way you know they will truly be able to feel it.

Giving our time and our hearts will never be something we can wrap in a great big box with a fancy bow. It will be given by us doing a lot of little things in a sincere and heartfelt way which show in the biggest way possible that we truly care and appreciate them and we love that they are a part of our lives.

Happy December everyone! And have a fabulous weekend 🙂

~Amy Rees Anderson