NOVEMBER 2013 THE RIDER /25
Stress Free Holiday Giving
by Janice B. Wright, CanteringOnThru Equine Photography & Journalism
like Santa - good feelings come from the heart. It doesn’t matter how or where you obtain the gift — well, no, I’m not suggesting re-gifting or that the budget should play no factor, because you DO need to decide how much you CAN afford before you start. Then you put your plans in action! With all the great selections from tack shops,
don’t want selecting gifts to be stressful or frustrating. It’s all about landing on the right lead. When we stress, things get complicated; when we breathe, we focus. As in a lesson taken from showing, we all eventually expe- rience anxiety. So when it comes to “what to
buy...make...bake??” go with your instincts and talents. In most cases, horsey friends are just special people and selecting a gift is a chance to shop!! Women rejoice; men... sigh! Anyway, on with the shopping! I love to shop in spurts. And as I get ‘wiser’ -
Christmas is a wonderful time of year so you
artisans, gift stores and service providers across Ontario, prepare in advance a detailed list. If you want some- thing like a handy clip-on-belt towel for grooming, but you want it embroidered with the horses name, then plan ahead to order well in advance. Custom made beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so even though you may have a personal favourite, if there is doubt, you may be able to purchase a gift certificate from the ven- dor and let your recipient pick the specific item. The fact that you chose a gift certificate that provides such
solve the many details you would have to con- sider: style, size, colour, this horse looking over here or this horse looking there...? Return policies, the “already have one” look, the ‘damaged in transit’ or, worse yet... “Ohhh well.....Happy Valentines Day!” Avoid any- thing that will set you up to feel badly. This is a joyous season and even a beaming smile is a gift. Just do me proud and get
serious...no
galloping through the season. Pick up a nice slow walk, transition into a trot, and with calm rhythm breathe your way towards the end of the round, placing a red ribbon on that gift.
Merry Christmas!!!
you bake ... need I say more? If your talks eventually lead to reading, well a book or subscription to a local newspaper (maybe even The Rider if they don’t already get it) would be an obvious choice. What a great way for an excuse to cozy up in your warm bed on a cold night - with a cup of tea or hot
chocolate...huh!
...another good idea with all the hot mixes out there in health or specialty stores! If you want to send a special “piece” it will have to be mailed off in plenty of time, wrapped and parceled extremely well,
...those elves have a LOT to do and don’t believe for a minute that they always work with impish smiles and light movements! (They may be small but they toss those packages with all the experience of quickly reloading a sleigh! And who knows how many times “Oops!” is heard?! And once again, gift certificates can
maybe? (Note to self: stick inconspicuous sticky notes with “NEED TO BUY” on my locker) - or, my favourite - you just know what the person or horse is in need of! (okay, I’m talking close rider/buddy person you talk with a LOT! We rid- ers tend to talk the talk all the time and if you pay closer attention between the “c;mon,” (sigh), just pick up your foot, Duchess...” to “now where did I put my hoof pick?!...I should buy stocks in hoof picks!!!” - you will soon get an idea within a cou- ple of weeks!) If all else fails ask a spouse, sib- ling or friend of the friend. If you really want to earn extra points this year, you can find out what your instructor or coach likes on their dinner table by going to the barn crew (they hear all kinds of things our teachers say after we’ve left the premis- es!) Or, the stable manager in most cases would have a general knowledge of the staff (one would hope?)
If you have a hobby, make something. If
diately come to mind - with all those “Dear Santa...” sticky notes
tacked around the barn
great options stops the persecutor in your head questioning your choice!! Matching a gift to the recipient can imme-
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