Christmas Survival Guide | Give Gifts that Celebrate People

Christmas is quickly approaching, and many of us are on the hunt for last-minute presents for friends and family. Finding the perfect gift for each person, especially as a college student, can be very stressful. How do we give the right gifts without breaking the bank?

We know from scripture that God values individualism. Most of us have heard dozens of times that He knows the number of hairs on our heads, and the New Testament also tells us that He gave different spiritual gifts to each one of us according to our specific purposes. If that isn’t enough proof, just look at the varying personalities of the people around us — not one the same as another. We like different movies and book genres, we listen to different music, we play different sports, wear different perfumes/colognes, we drive different cars, we enjoy different foods, etc. We are who we are because God intentionally created us as unique individuals. This means that we all have unique qualities to be celebrated.

What better way to love someone on Christmas than with a gift showing them that who they are is worth cherishing and celebrating?

According to author Gary Chapman, there are five primary “love languages” — one of them being the giving and receiving of gifts. Chapman explains that this means certain people primarily express and receive love through gift exchanging. Here is more about this love language in detail…

“Don’t mistake this love language for materialism; the receiver of gifts thrives on the love, thoughtfulness, and effort behind the gift. If you speak this language, the perfect gift or gesture shows that you are known, you are cared for, and you are prized above whatever was sacrificed to bring the gift to you.”

We see that the reason gifts are associated with love is because they have the ability to make people feel noticed and known.

So, how do we manage to celebrate each person as an individual without completely emptying our wallets?

The best way I have found to accomplish this, is taking the time to make different versions of the same gift. For example, last year I made sugar scrubs for all of my friends and family members, but I had a variation of scents they could choose from which made it individualized according to what they liked. This also saved me a ton of money, and the time I put into hand-making their gift showed how much I care for them. This year, I’m making candles with various scents, which will come with a small hand-written note attached to it.

The majority of the time, people value individualization and effort more than a price tag. Let’s make this season of gift-giving about celebrating each person and showing them how loved they are!
 
Author | Meredith Ashburn