Giving

So another thing that happens this time of year is higher stress levels due to the pressure to give amazing gifts to the people in our lives. With all the high-tech type gifts available and the way people seem to always want the biggest and best, it can leave some "givers" feeling as though their ability to give is limited. Most families, in this economy are not able to give those high ticket items to their loved ones, even if they want to give them. It is just impossible for some people to have the funds to do so.

So here is some advice, think about how gifts make YOU feel when you get them. Do you think, "Oh... I wish I would have received ____ instead!" or do you think, "Wow! I love this and I'm so glad ____ thought of me this time of year!" because the first thing we need to do is be thankful for everything we receive and not expect more than what we are given. God gives us exactly what we need when we need it and all the "extras" are BLESSINGS! 

Try making the neighbor some homemade jam. Grandparents love pictures of the kids so why not have the kids make their own picture frames, decorated themselves and then add a picture of the kids to the frame as a gift for the grandparents. Trust me, they will love this more than any "high dollar"gift anyway. These are the things that matter. Young children do not care if the toy they receive is from the dollar store or from walmart. What they see is something to play with from someone they love. Stop over-thinking the gift. 

Looking for a great idea for your wife? How about a coupon book for chores that she can pass out to you or the kids for some free time for herself. You and the kids can sit down and make the book like, "This coupon is good for one free washing of the dishes from ____" and mom can give that coupon to that person if she wants to take a break and that person will do the dishes, no questions asked because it was part of the gift. As a stay-at-home-mom, I can tell you that a coupon book like that from my kids and husband would make a huge difference in my life! 

How about a great gift for your husband? A coupon book would be great for him as well, but instead of chores, it would be just from the wife and for "alone time". With all that comes along with marriage, working, children, and life, we forget that being alone with our spouse is key to a healthy relationship. Try using Christmas time as a way to give that to your spouse as a promise for the year to come. 

Teenagers are the most difficult to please because they suffer from so much peer pressure in school to have all the "newest" and "best" but try to discuss the meaning of Christmas with your teenagers. They already know the meaning, but maybe they need to be reminded. Try getting them involved in a way to give back by packing care packages for the troops or having them pick a younger child that the family knows to mentor, spend time with, and make a special gift for. This will help them to understand what is truly important. Teach them the importance of money and how hard it is to work for it these days. Find a gift for them that they will love, but won't break the bank. Check the older generations of of ipods, ipads, iphones... those things. They may not get the NEWEST, but they will still have something they will like. 

Most Importantly!! Jesus is the REASON for the SEASON! Yes, we like giving to our friends and family, but as we give to them, let us remind them that we are giving the gift as a symbol of the gift of the life (and then death) of Jesus Christ. Something I do with my kids yearly is bake a cake for Jesus. We sing happy birthday to Him and read the Christmas story from the bible as well as discuss why He was born. Keeping Him the center of Christmas is the best way to continue to have JOY throughout the holiday even if you are unable to give the gifts you know your loved ones want.

Have a BLESSED DAY and try not to stress over giving the best gifts. Know that God will provide your NEEDS and a way for you to get those needs met. <3