Boxing Day has always been about giving. Many people from random twitter users to religious commentators debate its origins, but the purpose has never been under debate. It is a day set aside to give generously, especially to others. A day set aside to box gifts, hence the “boxing” in boxing day.
Of course, this giving has taken many forms, including boxes of gifts, charitable donations and acts of kindness extended to family, friends, and even strangers.
Today, however, giving does not always have to be wrapped in paper or tied with ribbons. Some of the most meaningful gifts cannot be bought. They are shared. They are given through time, attention, wisdom, and experience. This is where mentorship comes in. Mentorship can be quite tasking, especially if it’s being done well.
I know, mentoring others may sound like a cheeky Boxing Day gift, but in reality, it is one of the most impactful forms of giving there is. When you mentor someone, you are practically giving pieces of yourself to help someone else move forward. These pieces come in forms of lessons, mistakes, and insights.
Why It Might Be the Perfect Boxing Day Gift
We can all agree that unlike physical gifts, mentorship doesn’t expire, break, or lose relevance. The value of guidance, perspective, and encouragement often compounds over time. A word of advice can influence someone’s decisions for years. Footballers often talk about how their careers were shaped by words from former players and managers.
During this period, people are often reflective. They are thinking about the year that has passed and the year ahead. They are reconsidering their goals and asking questions. The right mentorship here is worth its weight in gold.
Offering mentorship during this season sends a simple message, “I see your potential, and I’m willing to help you grow”.
Knowing When You’re in a Position to Mentor
It is important to be clear about one thing though, not everyone is in a position to mentor someone, and that is okay. Mentorship is not about being perfect or having all the answers. It is about being sufficiently experienced in a particular area to guide someone who is earlier in that journey. It’s that simple. So you do need some experience in order to mentor someone. It doesn’t have to be 20 or 30 years, but it must be there.
Recognizing when you are in a position to mentor—and when you are not—is part of being a responsible and effective mentor.
The Role of Self-Awareness in Mentorship
Self-awareness is one of the most important qualities a mentor can have. It helps you understand how far you have come in a particular field and whether your experience is deep enough to guide someone else.
Self-awareness also protects the mentee. It ensures you are not overreaching, exaggerating your expertise, or offering advice that you are not qualified to give. During mentorship, honesty matters. Sometimes the most valuable thing a mentor can say is, “I don’t know,” or “That’s not my area of strength.”
Beyond qualifications, self-awareness also helps during problem-solving. It allows you to separate your personal experiences from universal truths, and to guide mentees without projecting your own fears or biases onto them. This is a common mistake many people make. Some mentors give advice to people based on their own personal situations. That advice is often impractical for other people’s situations.
Mentorship Is Not Only Professional
One common misconception about mentorship is that it must always be career-focused. While professional mentorship is valuable, it is not the only one that exists.
Many people around you could benefit from mentorship in areas such as communication, conflict resolution, emotional intelligence, time management, discipline, or decision-making. These skills shape lives just as much as professional expertise does.
You may not be able to mentor someone in software engineering or leadership roles, but you might be excellent at managing relationships, speaking clearly, or navigating difficult conversations. Recognizing the full range of areas where you can add value expands your ability to mentor meaningfully.
Give What You Truly Have
Boxing Day is a reminder that giving does not have to be extravagant to be impactful. If you have people around you who could benefit from your experience, perspective, or skills, mentorship may be the perfect gift to offer. But don’t offer mentorship to someone who’s not interested, you’d just be a nuisance to them.
The key is honesty. If someone asks you to mentor them in leadership but you have limited leadership experience, say so. However, if you excel at communication, you can offer mentorship in that area instead. This clarity builds trust and sets realistic expectations.
Great mentor-mentee relationships are built on self-awareness, honesty, and alignment, not ego. When you give mentorship thoughtfully, you give something far more valuable than a gift box. You give direction, confidence, and growth.
And that might just be the most meaningful Boxing Day gift of all.
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