Saying “thank you” is a rule in most households. Kids have to say thank you...or else they get that dreaded look from mom. As adults, however, we know that giving thanks should not be considered a chore, but rather an opportunity to share the joy of receiving a gift with the sender.

At Green & Green, we have seen firsthand that saying thank you for a gift can have profound effects on both the giver and the recipient. It has the potential to create stronger bonds between people in personal and business relationships. The act of giving and receiving a physical gift has symbolic power to concretize a feeling of care and gratitude. However, acknowledging the gift and the thought that went into it are an essential part of this exchange.

In this newsletter, we share some tips for giving thanks with grace, and get excited for the upcoming Chinese New Year!

Mindy and Pablo give thanks for January storms!

5 Tips for Saying Thank You

Saying thank you is deceptively simple – it seems so easy, but is far more difficult in reality. There are specific strategies you can adopt to ensure your 'thank you's go to farthest! Check out the Green & Green blog to find some helpful guidelines to follow the next time you receive a gift.

Supporting Others to Achieve their Resolutions

The transition to the New Year is an opportunity to reflect on the previous year’s successes and challenges and to use that information to reinvent ourselves, often with a "resolution". Embarking on the journey of transformation requires us to become familiar with the built in mechanisms of self-defense that hold us back, which can be painful. We need to be kind to each other, especially those crossing the threshold in search of greener pastures. We should endeavor to be fountains of wellness for our friends, relatives and communities, particularly those trudging through unfamiliar territory, or those revisiting murky terrain of their past. Be kind to those around you, helping them achieve their resolutions by providing rest, respite and care. And make sure you thank them for all the non-material gifts they bring into your life.

Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year is the most important Chinese holiday of the year. The revelries begin on the New Year's Eve and last for around two weeks. In preparation for the celebrations, people clean their houses and offices, and put up traditional New Year's decorations full of vibrant colours. The most important part of the Chinese New Year is family reunion, and it is customary to bring a gift or red envelope when visiting friends and relatives.

Starting on February 5th, we begin the year of the pig, the Chinese Zodiac sign most associated with wealth and fortune! Follow us on Instagram and Twitter to get tips for gift giving for the Chinese New Year.

Gifts for the Year of the Pig

At Green & Green, we have your Chinese New Year gift giving needs covered. Check out of customized gift boxes and baskets, tailor-made for the upcoming holiday! Please call 604-689-5027 or email us if you need guidance or are ready to place your order.

Thanks a Thousand

A. J. Jacobs is the bestselling author who decided to thank everyone involved in making his morning cup of coffee for his new book "Thanks a Thousand". This quest set him on journey that introduced him to thousands of people, reaching far beyond the barista who makes his daily java. He met the steel miners who extract the steel used to build coffee roasters, the plantation workers in Colombia, and the artists responsible for the ergonomically designed coffee cup and "java sleeve". What can we learn from Jacob's journey? Perhaps we should accept his invitation to take stock of the number of people involved in the pleasures we take for granted. There are thousands of people working behind the scenes to make the small joys in life accessible to us. If we pause to consider their contributions, we can appreciate the acts of service people perform all the time without receiving recognition. Feeling deep gratitude for each sip of coffee and all the work that was required to produce it has the power to enhance our happiness and well-being.

Thank YOU

Thank YOU for being a part of the Green & Green community. We love working for you and making beautiful gifts for the people you care about. From all of us at Green & Green, we are GRATEFUL to have your support and are always looking for ways to help you give in innovative, gracious and convenient ways.

All the very best,

Mindy Tulsi-Ingram