If you’re like me and you’re finishing your Christmas shopping (or just getting started), you’re wondering what gifts to give to the remaining friends and family members on your list. This year as I’ve been thinking about gifts, I’ve had a slightly different perspective on giving.
I have been thinking lately about how love languages play into giving at Christmas and other occasions like birthdays. My intention this year is to give gifts that are not only specific to each person, but that align more with their love languages so that they mean more. I realize some love languages might be harder to accomodate than others in terms of gifts, but my goal is to give at least two personal gifts this year.
As I get older, I realize I’m becoming more of a sentimental person. Material things don’t matter as much as they used to, and for the first time, I really haven’t thought about what I’d even hope to receive for Christmas. But knowing my personality, I know what kind of gifts would mean more than others.
Instead of things with no sentimental value, it would mean more for me to receive something such as a photo album, a scrapbook or even a card with a meaningful message written inside. Memories and relationships and things that signify those are becoming more important to me than stuff. For example, I have drawers and containers full of cards and letters people have sent me over the years.
I love giving personal gifts. I always write personal messages in cards in an effort to bless or encourage the recipient. I usually spend my evenings knitting, but I rarely ever knit for myself. I knit gifts for people. Because I love getting personal gifts, the gifts I make and give mean more. They hold more sentimental value, so they bring more joy than giving something I bought at the last minute.
Remembering someone at Christmas and giving them a gift shows you care, but it means so much more if you invest time and effort into it rather than buying it.
Are you crafty? Consider making at least one or two gifts this year. If you don’t knit or crochet or love scrapbooking, what about baking? People love receiving baked goods especially if they’re homemade. Does your best friend love your brownies, but you won’t give away the recipe? Bake some and give them as a gift instead.
Are you musically gifted? Record or write a special song for someone. If you know the person’s favorite charity, make a donation in their name. If a friend’s love language is quality time and they’re married with kids, make a coupon that offers to babysit for an evening or two so they can go out to dinner and a movie. If their love language is words of encouragement, give him or her a card with a message about how much of a blessing they are to you.
Gifts don’t have to be neatly packaged, expensive, or from a store to mean something.
This Christmas, seek to give from your heart to the heart of another.
