What Do Your Loved Ones Really Want For Christmas?

The Christmas season is obviously about celebrating the birth of Jesus. Every year people complain about how commercial this season has become. Yet, it continues to become more and more commercial because people respond to the commercialism. A few years ago, stores opened at 9:00 a.m. on black Friday. In recent years, there seems to be a competition between stores to see who can open the earliest. Some stores are even requiring employees to work during the dinner hour of the day before black Friday in hopes of catching those early shopping deal seekers. Have people forgotten that is Thanksgiving Day when families are enjoying their turkey, dressing, and/or other family favorites?

Whenever you go to the store, do you really enjoy the gift of giving if you only go to overspend on something that means very little to you? Regarding gifts, people often say, “It’s the thought that counts.” How much thought is put into going to a store and buying an item that someone has written on a list of desired items? For this Christmas, consider this idea: Ensure that at least one gift that you give each of your loved ones is something that you make with your own hands (or at least something you create). Making something with your hands requires thought. It requires planning. It requires investment of your time and other resources. Yet, the amount of financial resources required for these types of gifts are usually much less than the other items that are traditionally purchased. Use your own creativity to come up with ideas. Here are a few examples to get your thought processes started.

For your spouse, make a coupon book. Get some three by five cards and write coupons on them. Punch a hole in each one and place them on a ring so they remain together. You can do this for less than $5. On your coupons, write different things that you are willing to do for your spouse whenever she or he presents the card. You could have a coupon stating that you will do all the cooking and cleaning for an evening allowing your spouse to relax. You could have a coupon that indicates you will spend a day with your spouse doing whatever your spouse desires. You could have a coupon that states you will draw a nice bubble bath for your spouse upon request. Use your creativity to make something that will not cost a lot of money, but which will be priceless (and often quite meaningful to your relationship).

For your kids, consider making a book for each of them. Ask each of the prominent adults in the life of your child to write an affirming letter to your child. These individuals could write about anything they desire as long as it is loving, affirming, and encouraging. Try to get somewhere between 15 or 20 letters at least. Don’t forget to write your own letter. Then, take these letters to an office supply store and have them bound in book form. Alternatively, you could put these letters in a three-ring binder with a picture under the plastic cover of the binder. Even if your child will not really appreciate the value of this gift now, this will be a treasure of love, affirmation, and support in years to come.

 Think about your own resources, talents, and abilities. How can you use your own creativity to make an item that will symbolize your love, commitment, and appreciation of your loved ones? It does not have to be extravagant. It does not have to be serious. You might consider a creating a gag gift. It needs to be from the heart. You can certainly give other more commercial gifts if you desire. Yet, take the time to create one gift that will represent your investment, your love, and your thankfulness for the relationship you share with that loved one. Christmas started because Jesus came to give himself to us. Following his example, we must give a portion of ourselves to our loved ones. Give from your heart. That is what your loved ones really want.