The winner of Chicken Soup for the Soul: Devotional Stories for Tough Times -Donna Lagone! Please send me an email with your address. Merry Christmas : )
Today, we’ll continue our topic of keeping Christmas simple, while holding on to favorite traditions. Gift giving. Sometimes a joy, sometimes a major headache. I’m weary of department stores and eager to find gifts with more meaning. Do you have a friend or family member who loves flowers? Purchase a lovely arrangement from a local nursery. Or a festive plant that keeps on giving. Someone who loves to feed the birds? Find creative birdseed ornaments at a lawn and garden shop or order from catalogs online. Places like Gardeners Supply have sweet holiday themed ornaments made from bird seed. Nothing like decorating the outside while feeding our feathered friends.
Any new ideas for gifts for writers?
Send me your original ideas on simple gift giving. Your comment will enter you in a drawing for Donita K. Paul’s book: Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball (hardcover).
I was never one for the latest fad or gadget, largely in part of growing up extremely poor; but, never would I have told you I was poor because it never seemed so to me. When my sons were born, I tried to give them the biggest Christmas ever until I realized, Santa took away the meaning. Six years ago, we decided that there will be no Santa. Each of us will give only 3 gifts to each other. 3 to represent the gold, frankincense, and myrrh. My boys and I do not make a Christmas wish list. What’s the point of a gift if you already know what it will be?
Our gifts are just that: 3 gifts to each other to show our love for one another. It can range from an abstract painting or drawing from my youngest son to a $3 fuzzy blanket from my oldest. Why? Because I love beautiful things and soft things. I still use my blanket! It’s my favorite. My painting hangs on the wall in my bedroom. I love the colors and shapes it offers each day.
We don’t expect electronic gadgets. If that is something we want, we pool our money together, save together, and buy together.
Our simple Christmas gift giving of 3 presents, whatever we think the person would enjoy, to each other let us keep the True meaning of Christmas alive.
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Comment by Daphne Webb — December 3, 2011
Daphne,
I love your response. What a wonderful way to celebrate Christmas and bring the focus back to Christ. Sweet, simple, thoughtful gifts. You’re setting a wonderful example to your children and building up precious memories for them. Merry Christmas and thanks for sharing!
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Comment by admin — December 4, 2011
One thing my husband & I started last year when it came to gift giving was not only to keep it simple but Christ oriented: we gave devotionals to everyone & it was well received. This year will also include other year-round remembrances of what Christmas is about.
Elaine
Everyone’s Story http://elainestock.blogspot.com
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Comment by Elaine Stock — December 3, 2011
Hi Elaine,
Awesome idea, to give devotionals at Christmas time. And keeping things Christ oriented – I’m careful with the Christmas cards I send out to be sure they are filled with the good news message. I may admire other cards and lovely holiday greetings but if it doesn’t proclaim the true message of Christmas, it won’t work for me! It’s encouraging to hear how others are centering on Christ. God bless!
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Comment by admin — December 4, 2011
I like to sew, so handmade presents can be the best. Actually, one of the cutest ones I made were little spool dolls (just a wooden spool with a painted ball head and ribbon wound around the spool)…they cost a buck or two to make and probably 2 hours to make all of them and they were crazy cute.
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Comment by Julie Bihn — December 4, 2011
Julie,
You’re fortunate you have the ability to be “crafty.” I don’t have that talent. My brave attempts have been comical : ) I think everyone appreciates a gift more when it is handmade. Blessings on your Christmas!
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Comment by admin — December 5, 2011
I also like to be crafty and make Christmas ornaments from kits and give them to people, before Christmas so that they can use them 🙂
I also like to give people books, depending on what I think they’d enjoy, though that may not really be original… Or in my brother’s case, he’ll take anything edible!
crazi.swans at gmail dot com
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Comment by Faye — December 5, 2011
Faye,
Books are a wonderful idea as gifts. I like to buy Christian fiction or devotionals to support any authors I know personally. And handcrafted Christmas ornaments add a thoughtful touch to the gift. Merry Christmas!
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Comment by admin — December 7, 2011
Since I live over 1,000 miles from my nearest blood relative, and considering the price of shipping now adays, my simplicity in giving is GIFT CARDS! I know, they seem somewhat impersonal, but when I receive a gift card myself, I just say “Ahhhhhh! Now I can buy something that I want!”
Another favorie thing I do for my family is purchase something small, that we had when we were kids. For example, old children’s books that were favorites of ours (usually very inexpensive) or a special Blast from the Past Christmas decoration, on sale in some retro magazine.
Simple is the key. Merry Christmas, Cyndy!!
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Comment by Kathy Sherling — December 11, 2011
Kathy,
You live way too far away, kid! Yes, gift cards are a great idea. I think everyone appreciates the opportunity to go buy whatever they want. I really like the idea of a blast from the past gift. I’ve taken old photos when we were kids and made a collage of memories. It’s fun sharing those with family and friends. I still have some pretty funny pics from Gateway : ) 20 mile walk…
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Comment by admin — December 13, 2011