The stress of shopping for that perfect gift can be overwhelming. As I mentioned in last week鈥檚 article, it鈥檚 all about identifying something that he or she wants or needs. Sounds simple, doesn鈥檛 it.
Since I鈥檝e never been able to find a simple formula for meeting that criteria, I turned to the wisdom of others for help. Here are some of the suggestions I discovered. First ascertain the personality type of the intended recipient and go from there, create a Christmas Gift Registry List or, determine what it is you want to say and communicate that to the recipient.
The gift registry sounds like a winner. Open the book or website, choose between the listed options and voila all you need to do is head down to the nearest mall...except聽 I鈥檓 a year late in setting up a 2014 Christmas version of any kind of list. Scratch that one.
Forward march to matching personality types with presents. I click on the appropriate buttons for gender, age, morning routine and favourite chair. Within several blinks of the eye, suggestions pop up on the screen. 聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Unfortunately the idea that seemed closest to reality for Hubby鈥檚 qualifications is dill pickle flavoured popcorn. That鈥檚 definitely not the message I want to convey although he really likes dill pickles.
While finding something material to represent our love and appreciation is difficult enough, what message do I (or we) want to convey to those less easy to love? To those for whom gifts are more customary than heartfelt?
This year I am determined to spend less but give more of what really counts: time, abilities and at times, grace and forgiveness. Things that God thought of first.
鈥淢ay all the gifts and benefits that come from God our Father and the Master, Jesus Christ, be yours.鈥� 1 Corinthians 1:3 (The Message)
