It is important to show people (our spouse, children, parents, siblings and friends) that we care. While big and extravagant gifts are one way, it is the small things that we do every day that are the most important. Would you agree? For me, I don’t need to be creative, have a big budget or heaps of bright ideas to show someone that I care for them.

There are couples of things that some people have done for me that have meant a lot to me- a surprise birthday party treat from friends, “bring home” cookies from my hubby, a hug when I had a bad day, a total stranger smiled at me when I’m down and it brightened my day, someone helped me out when I really need assistance and someone just helped me out for no reason at all. It’s nice to know that they cared enough to want to help me. These things stand out in my memory though they’re not extravagant things.

There are some small things that I did and do (and still planning to do them over and over again) to show my love ones that I care:

For my dear husband:
1. Threw a surprise birthday celebration! I planned it with my friends and kept it a secret (it’s the best part!). I asked him to go out with us (me and our baby) to Lee Garden’s Plaza Hotel to buy a new pair of shoes. He got the biggest surprise in his life when I brought him to Sizzler with our friends waiting for us! My husband loved the surprise idea and he told me that it’s a great way for me to show how much I care for him…hmmmm…It’s always the thought that counts *grin*…

2. Gave him a massage for no reason at all. I just came up to him out of the blue with a nice, soothing back or neck massage. It’s one way of reminding him why he fell in love with me in the first place…LOL!

3. Gave him a budget to buy his favorite jeans, shirt and shoes though it means ¼ of my salary…he..he…Price doesn’t matter as long as you see that your lovey-dovey is happy and satisfied. It’s one way of showing my care for his “appearance needs”.

4. Though I don’t like to watch sports, but because I care, I managed to watch with him sometimes and get the hang of it! I do now appreciate watching tennis competition and learned the “who’s who” in the tennis world as well as the world of boxing. It surely made him happy that I’m trying to share something that he enjoys.

5. I took time to compliment my significant other on how he looks. I appreciate his new haircut, new clothes, and even his new perfume! I believe that this shows that I’m attentive to him and that I care.

6. I always kiss him at night to say “good night” and in the morning to greet “good morning” even if I have to wake him up…he..he... For me, peck on the cheek can be worth a million dollars at the right time.

7. I always remember to tell that him that I love him every single day!

8. Shutting up and praying for my husband. I pray for his spiritual walks, his emotions, his role as a father and a decision-maker, his faith and his future, his health and physical protection and his security in work and finances. Prayer moves the hand of God to do the things which we can’t do.

My ways of showing my care for my husband are endless! I try to think of the things that have really mattered to me and I do similar things to show to my husband that I do care. Everyone loves to be loved! And like the old saying goes "The love you make is equal to the love you take." So the best way to feel loved is to show someone else you love them first!

For my baby:
1. Give him lots of little kisses on the nose!

2. Look at him when I’m feeding him.

3. Saying "I Love You" a LOT to him!

4. I always pay attention to him when he is cooing and babbling or whatever! I listen to him and honor his early attempts of communications.

5. I hold, cuddle and love him as much as possible.

6. Smile at him when he first wake up and greets him “good morning my son”, with a kiss and a hug. I make it sure that I’ll be the first thing my baby sees when he wakes up. His smile is priceless.

7. Sit him on my lap and read stories for him

8. Being excited about every new development and discovery and journal them in his blog that I especially created for him.

9. I make diaper changing fun with my funny faces, songs, tickles and noises…he..he…

10. I tell him everyday on how grateful I am to have him! Sometimes, I go into details about what I love about him. I pray with my baby to share my spirituality and let him hear me thanking God for him.

I think there are countless ways to show to my baby how much I care for him. Whatever I do for him, I see to it that I do it with love .

For my family:

1. We lived thousand miles away from my family. I called them and told them that I miss them. I talked about something that I both did that was either interesting or funny. I don’t forget to tell them that I love them too.

2. I send SMS or Chikka messages at least once a week to inform them of our happenings.

3. I greeted them on their birthdays and posted my greetings (in digiscrapping form) on my blog site. I sometimes send money to the birthday celebrant.:)

4. I encouraged my siblings in their creative endeavors and professional pursuits. I’m their cheerleader, not their critic. I showed to them that I care by giving them praise and believing in their activities.




For my friends:

1. Organized a surprise baby shower! It’s a joy to see your pregnant friends came over to your house thinking that you’re just inviting them for a simple dinner and see that you have a surprise baby shower ready and waiting for them to enjoy!

2. If a friend is requesting some of my time, I make time for that friend. Simply telling her that I care is not as profound as showing her that I’m not too busy for her.

3. Listening and understanding a friend is one way to show that I care.

4. I don’t forget their birthdays. If I couldn’t send a gift on my friend’s birthday because she’s living in a faraway place, I send email or ecard to wish her a happy birthday. This simple act lets my friend know that I remember important things about him.

5. I give a small gift every now and then. I buy her favorite perfume or lipstick; treat her to her favorite steamboat restaurant or just simply giving her fancy earrings or fashionable wallet/purse. These small things can mean a lot to someone who wants to feel special.

No one can buy friendship at all. The ideas I listed above are things that I did to show my friend that I care with little gifts and my ways to show my appreciation that don't cost money. Showing your friends how important they are to you is a very important part of maintaining relationships. You don't have to do a lot of big things or spend a lot of time, but we all need to nurture our friendships.

How about you? How do you care for your love ones? Share them to us at Janet's Expression and Thoughts. If your ideas are unique you maybe picked up as one of the winners of her I-Care Blog Contest and covet the cash prize plus the 5000 EC! The contest ends tomorrow, October 7 so better hurry up!