Few things are more disheartening this time of year than looking at a Christmas shopping list with no check marks by the names. You want to give something special to each person on the list, but you wonder where you’ll find either the time or the money to purchase the gifts. And after you shop, it can be even more discouraging to realize you’ve spent money you didn’t really have on items people didn’t really need or want!
This year, why not look at your list as an encouragement list instead of a shopping list? What can you give these people that will encourage them to move closer to meeting their goals or realizing the God-given, created design for their lives? You’ll be amazed how far the dollars stretch when the real value of the gift is its ability to encourage.
And it’s not that difficult to think of reasonably priced gifts with a “value-added” encouragement factor. For example, giving a box of paints to a child with an artistic bent, or a new soccer ball to a child who’s proud of her athletic ability, is a way you say, “I see who you are, and I think you’re terrific.” Obviously, it’s taking the time to see who they are and who they are in the process of becoming that is the real gift.
A promise for free babysitting or a gift certificate for a manicure is sure to encourage a young mother and affirm the value of her decision to make being a mom a top priority in her life. Likewise, a young dad might appreciate tickets to a ballgame or registration to a men’s retreat. Something that says, “You’re a good dad and you deserve a break.”
A set of note cards with stamped envelopes, pre-addressed to family members, will encourage an elderly grandmother to keep in touch with those she loves. It also carries an extra-encouraging message that says, “All of us in this family value you and what you have to offer to us. Don’t ever stop sharing your love and wisdom with us.”
Look at the names on your list again. What could you give each person that would be an encouragement for his or her life journey this year? Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 5:11). Christmas gives us a new opportunity to do this when we exchange our shopping lists for encouragement lists.
Happy shopping!
Nancy–this is excellent–a fabulous way to approach Christmas, especially for those of us who, in some ways, just dread the holiday frenzy. 🙂 Thanks!
Kathleen
Glad if it helped, Kathleen. Merry Christmas!
Well, my dear Nancy, you certainly practice what you preach, because I ALWAYS feel encouraged by you! You may cross me off your “shopping list” knowing you’ve already gifted me countless times this year with your unconditional love and continual support and encouragement. I love you, my faithful friend and forever mentor! Merry Christmas!
And the very same is true of you, my friend! Merry Christmas
Thanks, Nancy. I beat you to it because this year instead of sending all fourteen great-grandkids a gift I went to World Vision. I’ll send the children a card (which WV will send you,) with a picture of a goat or soccer ball or warm clothes, etc., whatever I chose for my kids to share. (My one 34 year old handicapped grandson will get a picture of a child in a wheel chair).
What a relief not to have to buy, wrap and mail packages, while knowing kids with more needs than mine will be blessed this year. I’m thinking the parents will explain more fully to their children. (All my kids and grandkids are grown-ups and all they;’ve gotten for some time is LOVE.
Have a God-blessed Christmas, Nancy. Betty
That’s a great idea, Betty. We also tell our grown kids to make a donation to the charity of their choice in our names instead of buying us something. We don’t need anything and like to encourage them to give where it’s needed! Merry Christmas to you and ALL your family!!
wonderful thoughts…great ideas!
Thank you, Alice, o great master of words that YOU are! 🙂
This is a lovely, encouraging post, Nancy. The suggestions are excellent.
It reminded me of my freshman year in college when I was asked to babysit for a young couple’s toddler and 6-month-old baby from Friday afternoon until Saturday evening. The parents of both the husband and the wife had joined together to pay a sitter, reserve and pay for a hotel suite in the city, and cover a fancy dinner in a nice restaurant. This was their early Christmas present for the young couple. On Saturday I took the children to an indoor park play area and then to my dorm while the mothers took all the laundry and ironing home to do, and one of the fathers had rented a carpet cleaner to do the floors while the other cleaned the kitchen and bathroom.
When the happy couple arrived home after their relaxing present, they gave me and each of the mothers purple hyacinths in little terra cotta pots, saying it was an extra thank you for giving them “Hyacinths For Their Souls.”
Those seem to be the best kinds of gifts and create the most lasting memories, Marylin. Thanks for sharing.
Once again Nancy you have shared a timely word of wisdom. How much brighter Christmas would be for us all if we heeded your advice. Spot on! Merry Christ-filled days ahead.
Thank you, Charlie. And a Merry Christmas to you and yours!