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| Re-Think Giving with Blood:Water Mission this Holiday Season |
I recently spoke to an excellent MOPS group about the Art and Science of Holiday Shopping. I shared some of my favorite Black Friday tips, I talked about a general philosophy of giving, and I stressed the fact that since most of these mothers have very young children, they had a great opportunity to set a standard of expectations. You see, if we’re not careful, our kids turn into present crack addicts at Christmas time. They tear through one package without even looking at what they’ve received while looking for the next brightly bowed box to rip up.
While gifts are a part of our Christmas experience, we try to keep the chaos and over-“stuffing” (talking about the collection of stuff not the delicious dish) to a minimum. Here are a few guidelines we follow.
- The Princesses get three gifts. One item is a larger toy or electronic device. One item is clothing. One item is a book. Three gifts represent the three gifts given to Jesus (albeit he was closer to the age of 2 than in the manger) by the Magi. It helps me focus in one item and make a quality purchase rather than buying 4-5 $10 toys.
- The Princesses’ stockings are filling with a mix of necessities – fun body wash, toothbrushes, etc. – and trinkets. Occasionally, we’ll have a movie that I picked up free with reward points, a small stuffed animal, candy, costume jewelry, or other small fun items. I try to actually stay away from the Dollar Store in the area of stocking stuffer shopping because items can add up quickly and are usually junk.
- I give guided wish lists and/or ideas to the Queen Mum and the King’s Mum. They ask for them; I’m happy to supply. That way, if at all possible, the gifts given by all three families coordinate and can be played with together. In the past, this has taken the form of games for a game system that was given or play food to go with a kitchen set, etc. They still have the ability to choose something within a range but it helps all of us be happier when the gifts are unwrapped.
- We try to be as intentional as possible about giving gifts of presence – baking cookies, reading books, watching holiday movies, decorating, going out and about shopping, visiting friends and family – so that the holiday is properly focused on its true meaning and spirit.
- This year, our church is challenging us to to curb our spending budget to give a gift to Jesus on Christmas Eve. Every family received a box to fill and then wrap or decorate. And there are four special giving projects we’ve been asked to consider. The Royal Family has long supported Blood:Water Mission and so we were excited when this was chosen as one of the four. I’m so excited about making this an annual tradition. $1 gives an African clean drinking water for a year. Can you imagine if we all just put one stocking stuffer back the difference we could make?!
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