| In Search of a No-Cost Christmas |
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I know what you're thinking. Christmas is coming...and you just can't afford it. You're not alone if you're dreading the holidays because of what they'll cost. Hard times, economically, have hit so many of us. And I hear many women (along with myself) saying "I wish there was some way to do Christmas this year without spending all the money."
 Every year I find myself telling my family "Let's not do all the presents this year. We have so much and there's nothing we really need. Let's create a memory instead." My ideas are rarely met with enthusiasm when my family is used to the presents under the tree. But something in my heart tells me there has to be more to it.
And there is.
As I look into the Scriptures at the birth of Christ (the reason we celebrate Christmas) I see a gift given to us that we didn't deserve and we couldn't possibly repay. I see love written all over the Son of God who came to this earth to save us because we could never save ourselves. In keeping with the spirit behind that gift of love, I've been thinking of other ways that we can "gift love" to those around us. These ways don't cost money, but they do show our hearts. If you have a long list of people you can't possibly BUY for...consider gifting them with an expression of your love:
- Give Your Heart ...through Words: Write a poem (it doesn't have to rhyme) or a letter on a pretty paper telling a friend -- or family member -- how much they mean to you. Highlight their qualities or title it: Ten Things I Love About My ____ (fill in with "Mom", "Best Friend," "Husband," Daughter," etc. Then frame it and wrap it as a gift. That is truly something they could never buy and probably something they'll keep forever.
- Give Your Heart...through Service: One of my favorite gifts I ever received was a "coupon book" my daughter made me when she was 7. It promised "a hot bath with all the drinks of water you want," "a shopping day with Dana (I would buy, of course!)", a "movie night on the couch together," and so on. In fact, my own mom still has coupon books I made her when I was a child. Is there someone in your life you want to bless but you can't buy them something? Give them a certificate or "coupon" instead. For instance, give your mom a day of cleaning her house; give your best friend a free babysitting evening so she can go out with her husband; give your child's teacher a day of her choice to come in and help in the classroom; give your husband a coupon for something creative (you know what I mean) and so on. You'll be surprised at the number of things you can do to bless someone that you hadn't even thought of before.
- Give Your Heart ...through Prayer: One of the best things you can do for someone is to pray for them. Send them a card or hand-written letter telling them how you are praying for them and include Scripture verses of blessings for their lives. I don't know of anyone, whether they know God or not, who refuses to be prayed for!
Are you getting the idea that Christmas doesn't have to cost you money after all? Then go joyfully into this season looking for opportunities to 'gift love' to others as you have been gifted love by your Heavenly Father. |
