A Thoughtful Gift for Someone Beginning a New Season.
Thoughtfully chosen for the journey.
Need an idea for someone you care about who’s stepping into a new season?
It doesn’t have to be expensive or elaborate. Sometimes a few thoughtfully chosen items, and the message behind them, can be exactly what's needed to say:
I see you. I believe in you. I’m in your corner.
Recently, each participant at a women’s retreat received a small bundle created with exactly that intention.
The retreat was designed to give the women space to reflect, let go of some of the weight they’d been carrying in their proverbial backpacks, and Harvest Strength for the season ahead.
The little gift waiting for each of them included Color Me Happy cards, a Beleaf in You sticker, and an encouragement card.
And each piece was chosen with a purpose.
Why Color Me Happy?
The Color Me Happy cards were chosen to offer two very different kinds of moments.
New Season of Life
With its nostalgic wagon filled with plants, was an invitation to give themselves a little time with color and creativity.
A chance to relax. To breathe. To let their hands be busy while allowing their thoughts to wander.
As they colored, perhaps they would consider the seasons that brought them to this retreat.
What had they been carrying in their proverbial backpack - a meditation portion of the retreat?
What were they ready to set down?
And what did they want to carry with them into the season ahead?
There was nothing they needed to accomplish and no right way to use the card. The coloring was simply an invitation to make a little room for themselves and whatever thoughts happened to show up.
And then there was the Kindness Crew.
They were there to inspire celebration and joy.
After doing the deeper work of lightening those backpacks, this cheerful little crew was ready to celebrate the beautiful person holding the card and the lighter, more colorful season waiting ahead.
Their veggie banners offered a few wonderfully silly reminders that she is a Big Dill, she’s Hot Stuff, she Broccs, and she’s absolutely Amaizing.
Because sometimes reflection and growth can use a side order of silliness.
And that’s part of what I love about my Color Me Happy coloring card sets.
There’s something relaxing and lovely about picking up a gel pen, colored pencil, or marker and giving yourself permission to be a kid again.
No rules. No expectations. And absolutely no staying inside the lines required.
A little reminder to beleaf
The Beleaf in You sticker was tucked in as a reminder.
The retreat guides believed in each woman who walked through those doors.
And perhaps the most important reminder was the one they could carry home:
Beleaf in self.
They could stick it on a water bottle, notebook, mirror, laptop or somewhere else it could be used as a reminder when the backpack begins to weigh them down again.
The words that went with it mattered, too.
The encouragement card wasn’t there to tell anyone what they should do with their Color Me Happy cards.
Quite the opposite.
It gave them permission to use them in whatever way felt right. Color. Write. Reflect. Send. Keep. Breathe. Or simply enjoy a few quiet moments with no particular outcome in mind.
Rarely, if ever, do we need the perfect words or a grand gesture.
Just knowing know someone thought of us is often what helps fill our cup.
And it doesn’t take a retreat to Color Happy.
That may be my favorite part of this gift.
Although you could create something similar for a whole group of people (ideas on the right), you certainly don’t need an event to send a thoughtful Color Me Happy gift.
Maybe you have a friend starting a new job.
Someone retiring or moving.
A new empty nester.
A graduate figuring out what comes next.
Someone closing a difficult chapter or beginning again.
A family navigating change together.
Or maybe there’s simply one person who popped into your head while you were reading this.
That’s reason enough.
Choose a Color Me Happy card or two that reminds you of them.
Add a favorite pen, a few colored pencils, a sticker, drink coaster, or another little something they’d enjoy.
Then tuck in a handwritten note telling them why you chose it.
It doesn’t have to say anything profound.
I thought of you
I believe in you
I’m cheering you on
You’ve got this
I’m in your corner
Thoughtful words are pretty powerful gifts all on their own.
And if you have an event, group, gathering, or one special person in mind and would like help putting together a Color Me Happy bundle for them, reach out. I’d be delighted to help you choose something that fits the occasion and the people it will impact.
Being remembered is a beautiful gift.
And sometimes a new season could use a little color. 🖍️
