Through the years I have received so many wonderful gifts. I am very blessed and grateful - each one has been a blessing. It's interesting, though. The gifts I remember the most are not the toys as a child or latest style in clothing or newest piece of technology. They were gifts from the heart. Below are some ideas for meaningful gifts that are sure to not be forgotten. They don't cost a lot of money, but they are worth more than a pile of gold!
*Letters - There is no greater treasure than to read words of encouragement and love. With letters you can write what you long to say to someone you love and know that they can read those words of love over and over. I have a box of treasured letters that I hold dear to my heart.
*Hand-me-downs - I'm not talking about your underwear or worn out socks! Maybe that necklace you haven't worn in a while would be perfect for your daughter, who played dress up with it and watched you place it around your neck so many times. How special I felt when my Mom and grandmothers passed their precious pieces of memories to me. For the men - maybe you can pass on those tools that you used to build with your son as he was growing up. What a treasure for him to be able to remember the years of building together! Priceless!
*Books - Make a book of your favorite recipes or jokes. Or, put your favorite memories into words for your aging parents or grandparents to be able to read and remember for years to come. My most treasured books are books of memories with my family.
*Pictures - Put a collage of pictures together. We all have piles of pictures in closets or drawers. Pull them out! Find a half price frame at your craft store and enjoy the memories flooding your mind as you work each picture together creating a collage of love.
*Donations - Give the money you would spend on a gift to a mission group or charity in that person's name. I remember many years, my parents gave money to the Lottie Moon Christmas offering in the name of a loved one. How priceless to know that gift of love is going around the world to reach the hurting! Or - donate a book to a library in some one's name. When they check out the book, how neat it would be to see "In Honor of..."
These are just a few ideas! There are so many more wonderful ways to put the joy back in giving from your heart. When we get past the "Ugggghhhhh! I have to buy for Betty Bob..." and start praying, "What can I do to make Betty Bob's gift special and show your love, Lord?" we are one step closer to simplifying the season and magnifying the reason for the season!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There is still time to enter the giveaway! In fact, you have an excellent chance of winning - only one person has entered so far! :)
Catherine
Great ideas.
ReplyDelete