If the amount of dire warnings and special offers from my
inbox is any indication, the Great Day of Gift Giving is nearly upon us.
Some of you are behind the eight ball. You’ve postponed your
shopping safari for the creative individual in your life and now little sweat
beads are beginning to form on your upper lip when you realize you have no idea what to do.
Take a deep breath, I’m here to help.
The following is my handy dandy idea gift list for those of
you who have loved ones who construct, discover and imagine.
Sadly for you, Handsome Husband is already taken. He’s one of a kind, sorry
‘bout that.
Otherwise, consider offering -
A quiet space to work. It doesn’t have to have 12 foot ceilings
or north windows - although that would be really awesome. A space all ones own,
even if it's just a comfy chair, is important.
Time; time to ponder, time to wonder, time to put down in
whatever medium they choose the results of that wondering and pondering. Time
to grow.
A self-cleaning work space. (Oooh, I wanna get me one a
those. Maybe next year.)
Acceptance. Of them, of their field, of their output.
An ear. No, not like Van Gogh. I was thinking more in terms
of listening. We creative types need to vent, mostly in a way that lets the
fears and frustrations and delights and victories and annoyances out. Notice I
didn’t add ‘advice’ to that. Ears open, mouth shut.
Toss in a few open-ended questions. Something like; how do
you feel about that? Tell me about…, or how does that..?.
Exhibits. Go! Spend time looking with your sweetie. Use a
few of those open ended-questions to find out what they find interesting.
Pick one, two, or all of the above. Wrap them in ribbons and a hug. You'r welcome.
