My December has not gone quite like I expected. Possibly yours as well. I still have Christmas shopping to do! It’s not Christmas yet, but delivery days are few as Christmas day gets closer. Local shopping and DIY may be the best options for me. What about you? Each year I try to think through what to get each person that both fits the joy of Christmas giving as well as needs for practical living. Here is my current list of questions as I consider gift ideas for Christmas. Possibly one of two of these questions can be applied in your situation to help you get a gift for that special person in your life that is still on your gift-buying list. What would you add?
Gift Ideas for Christmas — 9 Questions for Gift-Giving for Everyone on Your List
1. Does the gift encourage growth? — including spiritual growth, wisdom, intellect, and emotion
2. Does the gift exalt godly values? — helping promote what God desires in daily living
3. Does the gift promote Bible memory and application? — this could be a DIY project of favorite verses
4. Does the gift engender time with parents and other godly people? — something to build, do, play, promoting conversations, service projects
5. Does the gift reinforce sexual morality (Proverbs 5:1-20; 6:20-35; 7:6-27)? — important to consider with video games, movies, music
6. Does the gift foster a stewardship of time and/or work, rather than laziness? — some gifts may be for pleasure-only, but probably not every gift
7. Does the gift build gratitude, discipline, and service to others rather than self-centered pleasure? — including creative ideas to serve together in some capacity
8. Does the gift fulfill a purpose or fit a real need rather than what others have or is most popular? — sometimes clothes are simply a great gift, jackets, shoes, tools
9. Does the gift demonstrate thoughtful consideration of this person’s goals, likes, personality, and season of life? — try to tailor-make your decisions for this person in this season of life
What about DIY Christmas gifts?
Sometimes, these are absolutely the best gifts. I have been given a set of coupons on more than one occasion. One of my children loves to give these. In fact, you could do a coupon option that includes many of the categories above — parents to children, spouse to spouse, friend to friend, or children to parents. If you also want to bless the person with a monetary gift, add a gift card to the game you make, letter you write, coupons you create, or book you buy.
Gifts that include pictures are fun. You still have time to grab your favorite picture and print it, frame it, or add it to something.
Image Credit Mel Poole
KevinCarson.com | Wisdom for Life in Christ Together
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