What is meant to be the most meaningful part of Christmas can often be the most stressful.  Instead of adding to the joy of the season, gifting often depletes the season of its meaning.  Here are some suggestions to help you give the perfect gift.

Gifting should come from a willing heart.  It is something that is willingly done.  If you are feeling obligated to give a gift, ask yourself “why”?  If you are unable to come up with a satisfactory reason then maybe you don’t need to give a gift.  However, part of the answer to “why” lies in determining if not giving a gift will create more stress or hurt feelings.  If the answer is yes, you’ve discovered YOUR will for giving.   You’re giving a gift to keep the peace which is an appropriate reason to give a gift.  This kind of gift doesn’t have to be stressful.  A box of chocolates will likely suffice.  However, for those more important gifts, read on.

Gifting should come from a sacrificial heart.  Giving to the special people in your life can often reflect a willingness to sacrifice for them.  Although, we should always be mindful of not spending foolishly, this is not the time to offer the almost gift.  The gift that is almost what the other person wants but really screams that you tried to get out of it as cheap as possible.  That just says that you were focused on self and not the receiver.  Gifting should be about the other person, so, if you’re shopping beyond your means it’s about you not the receiver.  Too often gifting stress comes from feeling that it has to cost money that you may not have.  That’s okay.  A gift of time can often mean more than any monetary sacrifice and may be the most sacrificial gift.

Gifting should come from a knowing heart.  A gift is meaningful because you thought about the other person.  It reflects back to the receiver that they’ve been seen, heard and are known to and by the giver.  This may mean purchasing a gift or it may mean sacrificing your time to do what is meaningful to them.

Suggestions for gifts of time;

1. Sitting and visiting
2. Completing a project that the receiver has wanted done (cleaning out that space, cleaning out their car or getting the oil changed)
3. Time weekly/monthly to engage in a hobby together
4. Taking them on car rides to places that are meaningful to them
5. Making cookies or gingerbread houses
6. Come up with some of your own based on the desires of the receiver

Gifting doesn’t have to be stressful if you remember to give from a willing, sacrificial and knowing heart.