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There are times when the best Christmas gifts aren’t the ones wrapped in pretty paper with a big bow on top. Sometimes, the best gifts are the ones that help make somebody’s everyday life a little easier. And when it comes to my husband, David, I have been thinking a lot about how we can do just that.
David works at the airport, and he spends long hours on his feet. He works outside, too, which means the weather doesn’t always cooperate. When it rains, his feet and socks can end up soaking wet, and by the time he gets home, I know he has put in another long day doing the things he needs to do to provide for our family.
Now there is another change we have to work around. David can no longer wear his tennis shoes to work. He has to wear work boots, and finding the right pair is important because his feet sometimes swell, and boots that fit too tightly can make an already long workday even more uncomfortable.
So Charlie and I have been talking about getting David a new pair of work boots. But I don’t want to stop there. I have also been looking at insoles designed for work boots and hiking boots because I want to see whether adding the right support and cushioning might help make those long shifts a little more comfortable for him.
Because when you love somebody, you look for ways to take a little pressure off their shoulders. Or, in David’s case, maybe a little pressure off his feet!
Why Work Boots and Insoles Are on Our Christmas Wish List
David is the only one working outside our home, and I don’t take that responsibility lightly. I know what it takes to get up, get dressed, and head out the door day after day, even when you are tired or your body is telling you that it would rather stay home.
He does so much for us, and I want him to know that we notice.
When I think about Christmas, I don’t just think about the fun gifts we can put under the tree. I think about the practical things our family needs, the things that might make somebody’s daily routine easier, and the little ways we can show our love.
A good pair of work boots might be one of those gifts for David this year. Adding supportive insoles to go with them is another possibility Charlie and I are considering.
The goal isn’t to buy something just because it looks nice in a gift box. I want to choose something that makes sense for the person receiving it. David needs footwear suitable for his job, and I want to make sure we consider comfort along with the requirements
When you spend hours walking or standing on hard surfaces, your footwear matters. The right insoles may provide additional cushioning and arch support, depending on your feet, your boots, and the type of work you do.
The PowerStep work and hiking boot insole collection includes options designed for people who need additional support in work footwear. The collection features products intended to provide cushioning and arch support, including insoles designed specifically for work boots. That is what caught my attention as I began thinking about David’s Christmas gifts.
I am not going to tell you that we have tried these insoles or that they have already made a difference for him, because we have not purchased them yet. This is something I am researching as part of our plans for his work boots. I want to compare the available options, check the sizing, and make sure any insole we choose works properly with the boots he will be required to wear. Since his feet can swell during the day, the fit matters. Adding an insole to a boot that is already too tight would defeat the purpose.
For anyone else considering insoles for a loved one who works on their feet, the American Podiatric Medical Association’s information about shoe inserts and orthotics is another useful resource. It explains the different types of inserts and how they may provide cushioning, comfort, and arch support.
One thing I have been thinking about is getting several pairs of insoles so David can change them out throughout the year. His job isn’t an office job where he can sit at a desk, take his shoes off, and relax whenever he needs to. He works outside at the airport, and rainy weather can leave him dealing with wet socks and uncomfortable footwear.
Having additional insoles available could give us options for rotating them, allowing pairs to dry between uses when appropriate, and replacing them as they wear out. Of course, we will need to follow the care instructions for whichever products we choose.
I also want to remember that insoles aren’t a replacement for properly fitting work boots. The boots need to meet his workplace requirements, fit comfortably, and leave enough room for any insert we add. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration provides information about workplace foot protection, including circumstances in which protective footwear is required. It is a helpful reminder that choosing work footwear is about safety as well as comfort.
For David, that means finding the right boots first and then looking at what we can do to make wearing them through a long shift more comfortable. I know some people might look at work boots and shoe insoles and wonder why anybody would put them on a Christmas wish list. But I think it depends on who you are buying for and what that person needs.
If David needs new work boots, then new work boots are a practical gift. If we can also find insoles that fit properly and provide the support he needs, then that is something else worth considering.
Charlie and I want to do what we can to help David. We know how hard he works, and we want him to have things that are useful to him rather than simply buying something that will sit on a shelf. I would love for him to have a little more comfort during those long days. I would love for him to come home knowing that we have been thinking about him, too. And if that means putting work boots and several pairs of insoles under the Christmas tree, you can bet your bottom dollar that is what I am going to do.
After all, love isn’t always about grand gestures. Sometimes, love looks like paying attention to the little things that make somebody’s day harder and doing what you can to help. David spends so much of his time taking care of our family. This Christmas, I want Charlie and me to take a little time to take care of him.
Because when you love someone, you want to take a little bit of pressure off them. And if I can do that with a thoughtful gift that helps David get ready for another day at work, then that is a gift worth giving.
What practical gifts are on your Christmas wish list this year? Do you shop for work boots, supportive insoles, or other everyday essentials for someone you love? I would love to hear how you make practical gifts feel special for your family.
Grateful. Thankful. Blessed.
GreatfulMoments.com
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
