If you ask people what their very best Christmas gifts given and/or received have been, their answers would probably range from a new baby, an engagement ring, a new car, a clean bill of health, all the family together, a special vacation,  big ticket items (a laptop, a big screen TV…), to the wonder in children’s eyes when they receive their favorite Christmas requests for the “hottest” new toys and games, fancy clothes, etc. 

At Christmas, I am consumed with trying to choose just the right gift that will bring joy to all the people on my list.  I try to think of gifts that are things that perhaps they won’t or can’t buy for themselves, the practical as well as sometimes the extravagant, and something that surprises is the most fun!  Especially at Christmas, I think most of us want to show the depth of our love to the special people in our lives. 

Often, the most treasured gifts are homemade, gifts from the heart and hands of the giver.  Especially if money is tight, use a little creativity in deciding on thoughtful inexpensive gifts, such as “cookie mixes in a jar” (great book for recipes: Gifts for the Cookie Jar by Lia Roessner Wilson), homemade fudge, hand knit scarves, mittens, caps and sweaters, wooden toys (book: Making Wooden Toys  - 12 Easy-to-Do Projects with Full Size Templates by James T. Stasio), salt clay ornaments, art projects, photo calendars and albums, homemade flannel pjs and nightgowns, gift baskets (or other containers) filled with themed items like a movie night collection which could include popcorn, candy, a DVD,  etc. (See other articles in our menu for more ideas.)

These lovingly created gifts deliver as much joy as store-bought gifts.   Too many times we equate love with how much money we spend, but the most important thing to keep in mind is to give (and receive) from our hearts.  Sometimes the finest gift we can give another is the gift of our TIME. 

The very best Christmas gift is LOVE, and of course, the purest form of love is Jesus!  Jesus IS the reason for the season!  LOVE was born at Christmas.  Because God gave us the ultimate gift, His Son, Jesus, we realize the importance love plays in the many tender and careful thoughts we put into Christmas gift selections.