Gifts That Don’t Cost a Cent
Finding Gifts that don’t cost a cent sounds like a marvelous idea for stressed out Christmas shoppers. Here’s Carol Harrison to tell us how this can work.
How do you handle the expense of Christmas? Share your comment below or contact us at HopeStreamRadio.
The Gifts That Don’t Cost a Cent
Every store I enter, every ad that pops up on the TV or in the flyers which grow thicker each week reminds me that Remembrance Day is over and Christmas is coming. There must be a perfect gift for each person but what is affordable, what is practical or what might intrigue those we long to share presents with.
As we enter this season of celebrating the birth of Jesus, we encounter more and more commercialization. I want to share some ideas that do not have to be confined to Christmas gift giving. These are Gifts that don’t cost a Cent.
Bombarded With Ads
Everywhere we turn we are bombarded with ads, enticing us to buy this or that, as the perfect Christmas gift. Statistics say that the average family will spend between $653 and $846.00 on Christmas gifts each year – yet the news reported several years ago that Saskatchewan people spend more than the average amount. One in three people go into debt buying that perfect gift. Is holiday shopping hurting your wallet, driving you to distraction as you search for just the right gift for each person on your list?
Do you wonder if you are getting it right? How long will the person appreciate the expense, the thought, the gift? Will they still even want it in a year or two? Will kid’s toys last more than one season before the next greatest thing comes along?
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Gift Giving Dilemma
These age old gift giving dilemmas, the budget running out before gifts you want to get are bought, the questions about appropriate, being appreciated, lasting more than Christmas morning ( at least in the case of some kids toys) can be tough and cause stress levels to escalate. They can cause many people to lose site of the real meaning of Christmas – the time to remember the greatest gift of all – Jesus coming to earth – to be the Saviour.
What can we do?
An Email About Gifts That Don’t Cost a Cent!
A number of years ago an email popped into my in box about gifts that don’t cost a cent.
As I googled gifts that don’t cost a cent to find the article again, I found a number of articles – one from the Farmer’s Almanac in 2001, several sites with similar versions and a few other variations since 2012. . .
I want to share these gift ideas with you– gifts that can be used any time of the year, for anyone – never have to worry about sizes, colours, etc.
Seven Gift Ideas That Don’t Cost a Cent
- Gift
of Listening
- Really listening – active listening – really wanting to understand not just the words but the intent behind them –
- The
gift of Love
- Affection
- A hug
- A pat on the back
- Caring about the other person – genuinely
- Kindness
- The
gift of laughter
- Proverbs 17:22 says A cheerful heart ( or a merry heart) does good like a medicine
- The
gift of a compliment
- Genuine and sincere – lifts the spirit, encourages
- Gift of forgiveness – although this is a gift you can give to others it is also a gift that benefits the giver possibly more than the receiver
- Gift
of Favour
- Going out of your way to do something nice for someone else, expecting nothing in return.
- Gift
of Thought
- Might be a hand written note
- Giving a ride to someone
- Babysitting for a young family
- Use your imagination and fill in this space with as much creativity as you can come up with
Each site had similarities just written with slight differences of wording. They offered new ideas, thoughts and ways to give to others without the stress and financial burden. All the ideas offered opportunities to connect with others.
These Are Not New Ideas
Yet these ideas really are not new – for God’s Word tells us how we should treat others in various places in the New Testament – I call them the “One Anothers” I believe that if we follow these God given commands we will always be giving these gifts of our time, love, listening and building each other up.
Giving and receiving gifts is not my husband’s love language but it is mine. I love giving to the children, grandchildren and some friends. But the budget runs out long before the wish lists I have for them. This year my husband has challenged me to give gifts that cannot be bought in a store. I need to use my abilities and imagination to come up with something for each person on the list. I think I have a plan.
What about your gift giving? Remember there are many gifts we can give that require our time but not our dollars and will be remembered long after Christmas is over.
Carol Harrison
Listen to Carol’s program Puzzle Pieces Of Life.
Carol Harrison B.Ed is a speaker and published author with one book, Amee’s Story and stories in twelve anthologies. She is passionate about helping people of all ages and ability levels find their voice and reach their fullest potential.
She knows, through personal experience that some of life’s experiences are tougher than others. She encourages people that even in the twists and turns of life God’s amazing grace provides hope. She lives in Saskatoon, SK with her husband Brian. They have four adult children and a dozen grandchildren.
Visit Carol’s website carolscorner.ca
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Images Credits
Christmas Gift – TerriC
Computer – StartupStockPhotos
Bible – Myriams-Fotos
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