Looking for the perfect gift this season? Let's talk about what makes a gift great.

Last week, I was challenged by our friend and priest, Sarah, to reconsider what a "real" gift is during the holidays. Is it something that's borne out of a consumerist drive for the latest gadget or newest convenience? Or do better gifts rely on interpersonal relationships and values?

I'm sure we can all think of a gadget or tool of convenience that we really love and appreciate. (Hello, Instant Pot!) But I also think that when we dig deep, the best gifts we've given or received have more to do with the relationships behind them. Someone has gifted or made us something that reflects their intimate knowledge of who we are or what we love.

At this point, you may be wondering, "Am I reading the right blog post? When are we going to start talking about food?" I'm getting there! What I mean to say is that over the years, what I've considered a "good" or "acceptable" gift has shifted. Part of this has to do with growing up, part of this stems from the sheer amount of plastic young kids accumulate, but part of it also has to do with a substantial shift in my values and priorities.

When I think about gifting now, I want it to be about interpersonal connection. I want to know who made this handmade pottery I'm buying. (Luckily for me, my friend Brenda does just that.) Or - I want to share something that someone has labored over or poured their life into. In other words, I want there to be meaning and intention behind it, something that I can pass on to the person I love.

I was surprised, when we were at our Saxapahaw holiday market a few weeks ago, how many people were seeing food as a way to do this. So many of our customers view pasture-raised products not just as food to consume, but also a gift to share meaning, values, or priorities.

But I think great gifts do demonstrate this. Behind what we gift, we can ascertain how we view the world, and in what ways we are committed to caring for it through our relationships. Gifting food is one way of demonstrating that we see caring for the land - and sharing its bounty with others - as something that actually has value, and shouldn't be taken for granted. (It also used to be a lot more common!)

You're reading this post because you value a certain stewardship of the land. You make changes or sacrifices in your life to prioritize it or afford it. It's not the easiest or most convenient decision for you, but it's one that you feel is important.

So my challenge to you this holiday season is -- how can you share that with others? Maybe it is sharing particular products from our farm - and if that's the case, we'll have a gift guide for you next week! But perhaps there are other ways. Could you replicate your values through your own stewardship of the land? Or supporting more small farmers or businesses trying to do the same thing?

In other words - what gifts will foster the best kind of interpersonal connection with those you love? Which gifts will support what you value or how you orient your life? I know I'll be thinking about that a lot over the next month. I'd love to know your thoughts as well.