GIFTING AND RE-GIFTING (Post 179)

December 1, 2025

Dear Mommy/ Mom/ Janet

I owe you 5 BIG hugs!

This Certificate is for home-made cookies baked by me!

A cup of hot tea when you’re tired.

Two XYZ Cinema movie tickets

Holiday Dinner at the HISTORIC ABC INN

A FULL day of thrifting with lunch out at your favorite diner!

For years, my family has enjoyed creating original-from-the-giver gifts in the form of IOUs and Gift Certificates. Sometimes, there are real tickets and gift cards from merchants and for events. Quite often, the certificate involves in-person company with the recipient. On my birthday this year, I was gifted with an evening of scented candle-making, creativity, and togetherness. Last Christmas, it was a time of uniquely painting ceramics: such fun! Of course, you better believe I cashed in those promised big hugs and kisses from little ones long ago – not to mention that hand-delivered lovely cup of hot tea!!

Lately, I’ve been going through closets and drawers sorting the contents: keep, donate, trash. Some call this de-cluttering … yes, for sure. However, to put a positive spin on all of this, I dub the process discovering! Over and over, I was amazed at what has been found! Collections then got started for each family member. Gifting opportunities (birthdays, Christmas, any-time) became individualized with presents representing a special, past shared time, long-forgotten photographs, letters/cards, and small “treasures” from favorite relatives.

So what does this have to do with recovery?

A few days ago, dear friends in recovery texted a greeting and update on their busy lives. I so enjoyed reading all that they were doing. Indeed, their calendar is filled with family, friends, faith community responsibilities, recovery meetings, and multiple recovery anniversary celebrations. Moreover, as I read their message, the gift of time with each other stood out, as well. Simply put, JOY permeated their text … such a beautiful balance of healing: body, mind, and spirit!

What a blessing their activities – accomplished together and individually – must seem like multiple gifts. Particularly, those in recovery are acutely aware that even the ability to walk into a meeting and admit one’s struggles to compassionate listeners is an amazing present. Taking a walk with a friend, family member, or alone can award those involved with a time apart that may become a gift of needed peaceful thoughts under duress.

Working these elements together for recovery (and maintaining recovery), I have put together starter ideas for ways we can re-gift others – and ourselves!

BODY

Take a walk outside; if that is inadvisable, walk indoors: determine a set path and, if possible, walk or dance to music; walk around an indoor shopping mall.

Hike. If there are no locally convenient hiking trails, visit a nearby park and create your own hike.

Create your own “tour” : visit neighborhoods, central and neighborhood business districts, local college campuses, cemeteries.

Bike-riding: be careful if you haven’t been on a bike for a while!

MIND

Re-read a favorite book, story, poem, essay, a joke-book

Go to a nearby library and enjoy on-the-spot reading (or looking at picture books)

Read poetry/articles of interest to another person (also a storybook to a child)

Write a poem, essay, story, and/or letter

Watch a documentary or travelogue video online (be selective: avoid any viewing that might prompt flashbacks/trauma/triggers)

Play board games with a friend or family member: again, be selective in order to avoid triggers – no betting!

Work puzzles (all levels: children enjoy working puzzles along with others)

Visit a museum: take time to study the exhibits

Learn (or renew) a new skill: knitting, embroidery, sewing, carpentry, artwork (painting, ceramics, drawing, photography), jewelry-making, flower arranging, small repairs, crafts, scrapbooking

SPIRIT

Attend faith services regularly (in-person, online, television) Take a friend and/or family member!

Read faith-based articles, books, and online explanations of faith-based holy writings.

Attend faith-based recovery groups, programs, special services, and concerts. Some faith-based communities are specifically centered on recovery.

Attend prayer group meetings.

Read daily devotional materials (books, magazines, devotional calendars, online daily devotional presentations).

Read past entries of the GRM BLOG Posts: 178 additional Posts available!

In closing, let us remember the intrinsic value of gift-giving: it keeps on giving … and in more than one way and occasion, it re-gifts!

Blessings,

Rev. Janet Jacobs, CCGSO

Founding Director

Gambling Recovery Ministries