Comments on: Gifts vs. Giving

By: heidi @ wonder woman wannabe

heidi @ wonder woman wannabe — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 19:02:45 +0000

I’m really looking forward to Christmas shopping this year! BECAUSE we are focusing less on the gifts. In previous years it’s always been hard to know when ‘enough’ has been purchased, do you go by dollar amount, quantity? What? This year we’re adopting the 3 gift rule (like the 3 gifts on the wise men)
1)something they want
2) something they need
3) something to read
Stockings will be from santa – and we emphasise that the only reason santa brings gifts is because he loves Jesus so much (we read “Santa Are You For Real?”)

Hubby and I have started either buying something together that is a splurge or big ticket item that we need or might just really like but not usually consider buying OR spending money on a special activity (some type of live show or ALL OUT date night at an expensive place) or plan a special get-away. We do this in place of shopping FOR each other – we decide on something to enjoy together.

By: Jennie

Jennie — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 13:33:58 +0000

I get so frustrated with all of the little 5, 10, 15 dollar gift exchanges we’re expected to participate in. All those gift pile up, and every year I bring home something that ultimately hits the trash bin. So this year, with a group of our friends, my husband and I decided to switch things up a little. Instead of exchanging gifts, we’re exchanging services. Everyone is supposed to come to the Christmas party with some type of service in mind. We’ll write them all down on little gift tags and each person will pull a tag from a hat. Service ideas could be babysitting, shovelling off a driveway, washing a car, making a meal, etc. The idea is to serve our friends with an act of love instead of an act of mindless shopping. I’m really excited to see how it turns out and perhaps to start a new Christmas tradition.

By: Angie

Angie — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 03:35:47 +0000

Marci I just sat down to read through this, so glad you shared your heart. Our MOPS group has done Operation Christmas Child for years now, such a great way to reach out AND show our kids how simple acts of kindness can really make a difference. Thanks for this awesome article – I hope that this year we are able to focus more on the reason for this season.

By: stacey woods

stacey woods — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:59:22 +0000

Love this post! This year my family is concentrating more on spending quality time together (we only see them a handful of times each year) rather than on unnecessary presents. Don\’t get me wrong, the kids will still get their gifts (and wouldn\’t quite understand if there were no presents under the tree!) but my parents have all sorts of together-time planned for when we come \"home\". Baking cookies with my Mom and all the kids, going to see a Christmas movie and then the local light display, making a gingerbread house together, and all sorts of things that my kids will remember for years – long after that plastic toy has been thrown out or given away. I\’m all for making memories that COUNT!

Thanks for all the helpful links, Marci… I think we might participate in Operation Christmas Child if there\’s still enough time!

By: yvonne

yvonne — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 18:56:33 +0000

I too have always like the idea of three gifts for the reason behind it alone. And it is good to pause and reflect on the reasons for this season. Thank you for the post.

By: Stacey | :simple:balance:

Stacey | :simple:balance: — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 15:21:51 +0000

I am making a concerted effort this year to simplify our gift-giving and receiving. All of our family is not yet on board, but I’m trying to encourage the concept by example. We are handmaking most of our gifts and donating to a charity in our loved ones’ honors. So far, I feel more relaxed and am enjoying the season soooooo much more than when I stressed about gifts. Thanks for sharing your great ideas!