Worship Fully. Spend Less. Give More. Love All. Sigh.
I love Advent Conspiracy (check it out here). Last year I started thinking about Christmases past and realized that there was just something missing. There had to be more to Christmas than spending money we didn't have to buy gifts that probably wouldn't get used. And so, it has become a new goal of mine to follow the principles of Advent Conspiracy - to worship fully, spend less, give more and love all so that I can do Christmas in a manner that is trully Christ-honoring. Here are some ideas that I've come up with to help people start thinking about doing Christmas differently:
Creating New Traditions
Everyone take turn giving presents. Instead of sitting around the tree with your pile of gifts around you, consider grabbing all the ones that you purchased instead and enjoy watching your loved ones open them. Make a point of giving gifts rather than receiving. This is great for little kids, too. Instead of asking them what they want for Christmas, ask them what they think Mom, Dad, Grandparents or siblings might like for Christmas. Help them make or buy something for everyone. This takes the focus off of what they want and teaches them to be mindful of what other people enjoy.
I love Advent Conspiracy (check it out here). Last year I started thinking about Christmases past and realized that there was just something missing. There had to be more to Christmas than spending money we didn't have to buy gifts that probably wouldn't get used. And so, it has become a new goal of mine to follow the principles of Advent Conspiracy - to worship fully, spend less, give more and love all so that I can do Christmas in a manner that is trully Christ-honoring. Here are some ideas that I've come up with to help people start thinking about doing Christmas differently:
Creating New Traditions
Everyone take turn giving presents. Instead of sitting around the tree with your pile of gifts around you, consider grabbing all the ones that you purchased instead and enjoy watching your loved ones open them. Make a point of giving gifts rather than receiving. This is great for little kids, too. Instead of asking them what they want for Christmas, ask them what they think Mom, Dad, Grandparents or siblings might like for Christmas. Help them make or buy something for everyone. This takes the focus off of what they want and teaches them to be mindful of what other people enjoy.
Set limits for presents. In the past, we've been guilty of just buying useless presents that our kids don't end up using just for the sake of them having more to open on Christmas morning. This year we're aiming at 3 gifts per child (since the three wise men each brought Jesus a present), though we may end up at 5. We're also trying to make the majority of those gifts home made. The best thing is that we know that what we've decided to give the kids will be used and appreciated.
Stay home the day after Thanksgiving (or go to work if you have to). Many people wishing to cut consumerism and keep Christ at the center of Christmas make a point of avoiding stores on Black Friday and the ensuing craziness.
Giving shouldn’t be reserved for one time of year. Choosing a family project or two to do throughout the year helps keep you focused on others, which is also a good practice to teach to children.
-Serving at community kitchens
-Collecting clothing or food to distribute to the homeless.
-Collecting maternity clothing and baby items to give to pregnancy resource centers.
-Volunteering with Habitat for Humanity.
Buy local or handmade only
-Support local business owners whenever possible to support your community.
-Buying handmade or items locally made cuts support to companies that use child labor in foreign countries and those that only pay their workers pennies a day.
Good gifts don’t have to be new.
-Craigslist, thrift stores and yard sales are great places to find gifts for people that usually just need a little bit of TLC.
Gift Ideas
Make your own presents
-Anything goes. If you’re at a loss for things to make, books are available at the library full of homemade gift ideas or you can do an Internet search.
Stay home the day after Thanksgiving (or go to work if you have to). Many people wishing to cut consumerism and keep Christ at the center of Christmas make a point of avoiding stores on Black Friday and the ensuing craziness.
Giving shouldn’t be reserved for one time of year. Choosing a family project or two to do throughout the year helps keep you focused on others, which is also a good practice to teach to children.
-Serving at community kitchens
-Collecting clothing or food to distribute to the homeless.
-Collecting maternity clothing and baby items to give to pregnancy resource centers.
-Volunteering with Habitat for Humanity.
Buy local or handmade only
-Support local business owners whenever possible to support your community.
-Buying handmade or items locally made cuts support to companies that use child labor in foreign countries and those that only pay their workers pennies a day.
Good gifts don’t have to be new.
-Craigslist, thrift stores and yard sales are great places to find gifts for people that usually just need a little bit of TLC.
Gift Ideas
Make your own presents
-Anything goes. If you’re at a loss for things to make, books are available at the library full of homemade gift ideas or you can do an Internet search.
If you would want a few ideas, here's what I've done recently for my family:
- I-spy bags
- Big hooded towels
- Crayon rolls
- Crocheted hats and slippers
- Babysitting vouchers for siblings with kids
- Calender with pics of our family for the grandparents
- Creating story books
- Meals - Little cards with a selection of appetizers, entrees and desserts
Give to charity instead of buying presents
-Give to a person’s favorite charity, or if they don’t have one, find one that supports a cause dear to them. www.charitynavigator.org helps you find charities and also lets you know how much of your donation goes to administration costs and how much goes to the intended party. We love Gospel for Asia, Compassion International and Bethany Children's Services.
Buy things that people need and will use often. It doesn’t have to be a surprise. Finding out what someone needs reduces the chance that your gift will just end up in a yard sale.
-School supplies
-Gift cards to the college bookstore (or other store a person frequently shops at)
-Family games
-Supplies for a favorite hobby
-Have a list of items that you are looking for available to help others shopping for you - we have a family website with a Gift Ideas section.
Give your time/service
-Yard work
-Projects around the house
-Prepare a meal for a loved one and eat with them
Teach someone a skill that they want to learn that you’re good at
-Sewing
-Canning
-Knitting/ Crocheting
-Wood working
-Home repair
Give to charity instead of buying presents
-Give to a person’s favorite charity, or if they don’t have one, find one that supports a cause dear to them. www.charitynavigator.org helps you find charities and also lets you know how much of your donation goes to administration costs and how much goes to the intended party. We love Gospel for Asia, Compassion International and Bethany Children's Services.
Buy things that people need and will use often. It doesn’t have to be a surprise. Finding out what someone needs reduces the chance that your gift will just end up in a yard sale.
-School supplies
-Gift cards to the college bookstore (or other store a person frequently shops at)
-Family games
-Supplies for a favorite hobby
-Have a list of items that you are looking for available to help others shopping for you - we have a family website with a Gift Ideas section.
Give your time/service
-Yard work
-Projects around the house
-Prepare a meal for a loved one and eat with them
Teach someone a skill that they want to learn that you’re good at
-Sewing
-Canning
-Knitting/ Crocheting
-Wood working
-Home repair
-How to change oil and a tire
Some families are cutting back on gifts this year because of the economy and explaining to their kids that Christmas won't be as big this year. What if you cut back on how much you spend, but make Christmas bigger than ever. Strengthen relationships this Advent season. Make lasting, meaningful memories. Give your presence.
Shalom,
Nina
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