Sparkling lights, the smell of fresh evergreen, the taste of cool peppermint and the sense of a new Hope. These are all ways to describe “the most wonderful time of year”, but for many it can also described with one simple word: stressful.
Consumerism can often get in the way of experiencing the Joy of Christmas, and for Christians, it can often be difficult to remember all we do this month is to celebrate the birth of Hope in the shape of a newborn Palestinian Jewish babe.
In the pressure to purchase that “perfect gift” that reminds our loved ones how much they mean to us, we can often forget that Love has already arrived and does not need to be bought and neatly packaged with a beautiful bow. So we offer some simple counsel: allow yourself to be present in this joyous and holy moment and choose to instead offer simple tokens of love to your family and friends.
Tokens that aren’t about purchasing the next new and shiny thing, but are about a simple celebration of the great love we all have to share.
Here is a list of simple Gifts and Tokens of Love that do not have to be bought:
Handwritten Cards and Open When Letters
Plan a Homemade Dinner
Handmade Crafts
The limits really are endless with this one but here are some ideas to get you started:
Homemade Play-dough and Bubbles
Here are some simple and fun recipes you can make with ingredients from your kitchen:
Homemade Scrubs
Baked Goods and Gifts the nourish!
Forage your kitchen and the world around you for these ingredients:
Plan an experiential gift
Here’s some examples to get your creative juices flowing (filter through the costly ones):
As you plan and prepare for Christmas, may each day and each act remind you of the Hope of the Season.