Gifts

Gifts

Gotta try them out
...right away.

It's the "gift" season.  As we come around into late December, we wanted to talk about not only the season of giving, but perhaps more importantly, the spirit of giving.  Hopefully, there are a couple of ideas here that resonate with you and yours when it comes to gift giving, and you find some inspiration to shake it up this year instead of the same-old-same-old, "socks and undies" sort of thing.  With a little ingenuity and thoughtfulness, you'll likely be able to bring some genuine appreciation when you give the things that no one else can give.  

Show up...be
there for them.

Gift of presence - oftentimes this is the most important, most sacred gift we have in our arsenal.  It's easy to buy a box of plastic parts (assembled or not), check the box, pat ourselves on the back, and go about our day.  Do you think our spouses and children would rather have one more trinket...or one more memory?  We should consider the idea of experiential gifts - family trip, daddy/mommy date coupon, play hooky at work for a day to just be together, materials for a tree house you'll build together, a board game that gets us interacting.  Try to avoid the easy "win" with stuff that will end up in a toy box or trash can.  Similarly, try to stay away from the bonding enemies that steal together time - if you're not sure...the thieves often have screens or make obnoxious noises.  

The atmosphere
is the important part.

Good and beautiful gifts - open up the modern version of the quintessential "Sears and Roebuck" catalog today, and you'll likely see high-gloss combinations of a million pieces of plastic.  You've got to go out of your way to find gifts that bring your family together - board games, movie nights, campouts, and so forth.  Often, the most "good and beautiful" things that you can give aren't traditionally thought of as "things."  In a disaster, we talk about donation management and how we're after goods that can be put to use in the hands of survivors and meet a need...more often though, we get "stuff" that shows up in trash bags when people clean out their closets.  Oftentimes in giving, we end up giving and getting "stuff" that will end up in a trash bag...aim for "goods" that meet a need or build a capability.  This does not mean it can't be fun...it does mean it's meaningful.  

Don't get your head
stuck in the tree.

Gift of the Magi - author O. Henry, talked about the Gift of the Magi as, "a tale that drips with the richness of love, sacrifice, and irony, reminding us that true wealth is not counted in coins."  Many times, we find ourselves falling into the "well, we'll just get each other gift cards" mentality.  It is often truly, "the thought that counts" when it comes to gifts.  We undervalue the idea of making a thoughtful gift in today's day and age, where we're bombarded with advertisements from every different angle, direction, and company.  As we come into this season, consider making "the" present or at least "a" present in a thoughtful and creative way to help show how much we care about the recipient.  

It's the memories...not the 
plastic stuff in the wrapping.

Gift for the giver or the receiver?  It seems like there are lots of folks who give a gift...not for the right reasons.  I don't know how many times our kids (or those in our circle) have given a gift wish only to have those on the periphery who don't really know them...ignore that and give the gift they want to give.  I'm not talking about little Johnny wanting a crack pipe...I'm talking about regular gifts that go along with the family values...but are ignored.  As you're going into the season, really think about and try to show the love and respect to your loved ones by honoring their healthy or wholesome wishes.  Better yet, lean in to the loved ones and learn more about their interests together.  I remember multiple times when our kids (and others) were tiny...and the box was more fun than what was in the box.  It's not about you...it's about them.  

Christmas with
a cactus is
hard to beat.

Gifts with a goal - it's easy to give a gift with the simple intention of making a smile.  That's a worthwhile outcome to seek with your pretty paper-wrapped package.  Sometimes this time of the year, we give gifts out of obligation or because we "should" based on some societal norm or rule - a go-along-to-get-along (white elephant, anyone?) sense of obligation.  What if, instead, we gave a gift with a goal in mind?  We celebrate the birth of Christ in this season.  We sing songs in praise.  We reflect on God sending down his only Son to live among us.  The pickle is...God knew the end of the story at the beginning.  His gift to us...had a goal.  Have we thought about our giving in similar ways?  How about a subscription to Focus on the Family's Adventures in Odyssey to lead others to the gospel?  How about giving a gift of a trip to the YMCA, where we talk about faith around the fire?  How about something that is lasting, long-term, and life-changing?

White sand...white snow...
both are good for 
Christmas.

Lastly, giving the gift of an experience instead of stuff can be powerful and memorable.  We've talked about it, but giving adventure instead of another stuff thing will likely be something the recipient will look back on more fondly.  Again, these don't need to be expensive, just thoughtful and intentional.  This could be tickets to a ball game, play, festival, or airline tickets - these could be in the form of actual tickets, gift cards, or homemade coupons (e.g., "good for one free trip to Yellowstone").  This gift can keep giving with lead-up excitement activities like countdowns or theme activities (e.g., watching baseball movies before going to the park).  They can also be "extended" by looking at photos or videos of the experience after the fact.  All of this is likely better and more appreciated...than more plastic thing-ies.  

Show up...
even if it's sandy.

As we wrap it up this week and send you on your shopping (or creating) way, it's important to remember, much like we talk in volunteer management, "it doesn't have to be expensive, only sincere."  Approach your gift giving strategically.  Come at it from a position of love for the recipient from the giver.  Get creative this year - instead of hopping on your favorite online retailer or hitting the big box store and filling a cart - spend a little bit of brainstorming time to find/buy/create the perfect gift.  Also, remember that five minutes/days/weeks/months/years from now...chances are, the recipient will remember an experience more than something plastic that's long since moved to the landfill.

  

With you in the arena, from ours to yours...Happy Trails!

Call to Action: 

• Pick out a couple of unique gift ideas from above (or elsewhere) that those in your innermost circle will appreciate - do that this year.  
• 1 - ___________________ 
• 2 - ___________________
• 3 - ___________________
• Discussion: Consider what you/your family could/would/should (level of commitment) and start/stop/sustain (action) in terms of your gift giving philosophy this season.  

Further Reading, Motivation, and References:

- Giving the Right Gift

- The Most Meaningful Gifts You've Received