The Most Meaningful Gifts Are the Ones Money Can’t Buy

Creative gestures and shared experiences form the foundation of lasting love.

National Make a Gift Day (Dec. 3) is a call to generosity and intentionality, encouraging people to craft something meaningful for someone they care about.

Long before I led USANA Health Sciences or became a bestselling author, I was a college student trying to win the heart of a woman who would eventually become my wife. The problem? She had a serious boyfriend.

I knew if I was going to win her heart, I had to be extraordinary—and extraordinarily creative. That meant no typical dinners or movies. Instead, I turned dates into personalized experiences: a surprise meal and firepit outside ancient ice caves, a science-lab-themed dinner, drinking through beakers and test tubes, and impromptu jam sessions where couples formed their own makeshift bands in the music room.

We came up with all sorts of creative activities. And we still enjoy creative dates to this day.

Decades later, my wife and I are still crafting creative memories. For our 30th anniversary, we leaned into humor and heart, camping at a Walmart in our RV and dressing in thrifted leisure suits to make a music video for our kids.

Gifts aren’t always wrapped in bows. Sometimes the best gift is presence, effort, and creating a memory together. Those are the things that last.

I often speak about the power of service and creativity in building strong relationships—both personally and professionally. My book All the Right Reasons: 12 Timeless Principles for Living a Life in Harmony explores these themes through real-life stories and heartfelt lessons.

Service and Creativity: The Lasting Impact

The principles behind creative giving (e.g., intentionality, presence, and connection) can also strengthen relationships, boost resilience, and inspire service. In fact, my book’s proceeds support the USANA Foundation, which provides food and nutrition to underserved communities worldwide.

Service is one of the most powerful ways we can uplift others and nourish our own well-being.

To date, All the Right Reasons has provided more than 1.8 million meals through its partnership with the USANA Foundation. Each book purchased contributes 40 meals to those in need.

I shared a version of this article in a news release on Dec. 3, 2025. USANA Health Sciences, a global leader in health and wellness products, has long recognized the importance of social wellness in building a successful business. Since its founding in 1992, USANA has focused on clear, concise communication to build trust with its customers and distributors in 25 countries. For more information about USANA Health Sciences and its dedication to promoting health, wellness, and entrepreneurial success, visit USANA.com.