The Perfect Gift

Did your inbox explode with all the Black Friday, Cyber Monday, shop early, last chance emails? 

If you’re still looking for the perfect gift for someone on your list, don’t worry. It wasn’t on sale … and it’s not too late!

Letters make a meaningful, lasting, and personal gift. 

You can write a letter filled with personal story and thoughtful consideration of the recipient that shows them what you admire or appreciate about them and shares your love and hopes for them. Want to know how?

Why Write a Letter as a Gift?

Letters let you share your love, traditions, wisdom, and values. When you do that, you are building the bond between you and your loved ones. 

I also love that letters are tangible objects. People can and do reread them. Your words can hit home now — and again and again in the future. 

Letters can make a beautiful gift for anybody, but they are especially perfect for: 

• People who “don’t need” anything or “have too much stuff” (even though people often keep letters like this, they don’t take a lot of space)
• Somebody who is going through a hard time
• Someone who has had a recent life transition — marriage, new parenthood, starting a new job, starting college … 
• A person you want to give a from-the-heart gift to

Have you been looking for just the right idea for somebody? A letter might be your answer. 

How to Write a Letter as a Gift

Meaningful letters are not hard to write. They do take some time and thought.

Start by just getting your thoughts and feelings down. These prompts can help: 

• I want the recipient to feel ____. 
• I’m writing now because … 
• This person matters to me because …
• List memories or examples from your experiences together. 
• Pick your favorite stories. Why do they matter? What do they tell you about your relationship and the person you are writing to? 

With those ideas in hand, try this structure for your letter:

The Why—your reason for writing

The Story—the memories and stories you choose to share. Use stories about your reader or from your relationship to SHOW how you feel.

The Reflection—Share your thoughts why you chose those stories and what you want the reader to understand. 

The Love—End your letter with love. 

I’ve made the process easy for you with my ebook Deepening Connections with Legacy Letters. 

This short book walks you step-by-step through the process with lots of examples and suggestions for getting started on your own.

A letter is a beautiful gift to share — and the process of writing it is a gift to yourself. 

I hope you’ll try it!