Few things make you feel more special than a handmade gift from a child at Christmas (parents/grandparents get this).
If you’ve ever received a gift from a child, you’ve been graced
by the true spirit of Christmas - of seeing love doing what it does best: Gives.
But what has gift-giving become to you?
A chore?
An
obligation?
A burden?
Months of credit card payments?
An act of unconditional, no strings attached
love?
According to a November 2017 Harris Poll, 69% of Americans say they would skip exchanging gifts this season if friends and family agreed.
Why?
43 percent cite financial stress - they feel
pressured to spend more than they can afford.
25 percent would rather use the money on activities with friends and family.
37 percent would reduce debt.
47 percent would save or
invest.
You know something? The true spirit of Christmas has never been about the gift, per se, it's about the person receiving the gift.
Observe how a child demonstrates the Christmas spirit. It’s never about money because, well, they don’t have any! So they just wrap a piece of their heart and
give it away.
(We should remember that one of the love languages is that of doing something for someone else. These folks feel too vulnerable to say “I love you” or show affection. So they demonstrate their love, a love that is very deep by the way, by doing something for someone else. At Christmas time, this means showering their loved ones with gifts.)
But even with this love language, it’s really not about the gift - it’s about love.
I am NOT trying to make a case against gift giving. It's the exact opposite, actually. We exchange gifts in my family like many of you; it’s a beautiful
tradition we look forward to each year.
But it’s not about the gift.
And it’s most certainly not about using a gift as a substitute for love or as a bargaining chip.
It’s about the message that the gift sends.
Christmas is about love traveling from one heart to another.
Your gift sends a message.
What do you want that message to be?
Your gift is a reflection of:
1) The condition of your heart (selfless vs. selfish).
2) Whether your love has conditions (do you give to receive or give unconditionally).
3) What people mean to you.
All of this sounds complicated…until you watch a smiling child hand their gift (usually wrapped imperfectly with lots tape and crooked seams) to
their mom or dad; then everything makes sense.
No obligation.
No bargaining.
No holding back.
Just love.
Perhaps this year as you prepare to shower your loved ones with gifts, you might consider spending time with that little kid inside your heart that used to give the most precious gifts because they came from love.
Maybe you might even make a handmade gift…
The Case for Handmade
Handmade items can be personalized…
They reflect your partner’s unique tastes…
They make a great surprise because they’re so rarely expected…
Plus, there’s pride in giving your partner something you took the time to make!
Handmade Gift Ideas
1. Consider crafts.
These
include greeting cards, photo books, scrap books, book marks, etc. Little skill is required and they are easy to make.
If you like using photos, spend a few minutes on Shutterfly.com for ideas.
2.
Food.
If you have culinary skills, consider making food items such as homemade jam or jelly, peanut butter, bread, cakes, pastries, nuts and spice blends.
3. One of a kind.
Homemade soaps are a holiday favorite.You have the freedom to include your spouse’s favorite fragrances, or experiment with different scents until you’ve made something they’ll love that can’t be found anywhere
else.
You’ve already seen hundreds of holiday advertisements. And even though you’ve watched commercials of luxury cars with red bows, expensive electronics and exotic travel destinations (which are all great), the holidays are a perfect time for handmade gifts. If you get started today your gift will be ready just in time for Christmas!
They say that love is complicated. I guess that’s true for gown ups. But it isn’t for children; it’s actually pretty simple.
Until next time, this is Mike Tucker and I want YOU to be mad about marriage!
PS: Here’s the link to the Harris Poll:
