Our images of Christmas gifts usually include brightly
colored wrapping paper, colorful bows, and eye catching gift bags under the
tree. And all of that is good.
But there are so many other kinds of Christmas giving that
can be inspired by the joy and emotion of the holiday, and sometimes I think
those kinds of gifts are even more meaningful, both for the receiver and the
giver.
For loved ones, sometimes it’s the gift of time. A card or letter including a promise of a day
together, or tickets to a favorite performance can be the most meaningful of
all to the ones we love.
On other occasions, a collection of needed articles,
organized by a family or group of friends, can make life much richer for the
recipients.
Years ago, when my kids were younger, we decided as an
extended family to do a Christmas project for a school on the Navaho Indian
Reservation in New Mexico. Instead of
our usual “cousins” gift exchange, everyone purchased school supplies like
writing paper, copier paper, crayons, markers, scissors, art supplies and pens
and pencils in whatever quantity they could afford. The gifts were bundled up
and shipped to our then unknown friends with Christmas love. It was an ENORMOUS bundle.
It was very appreciated, and we are still in touch. And I have to admit, my kids remember
projects like this to this day, far longer than the memory of any Christmas toy
they received.
I’m thinking that this spirit of Christmas giving can and
should be expanded to the rest of the year too. I am thinking about that lately
in a more definitive way lately, with the heightened awareness of those in our
world who need so much.
I’m sure some readers here have come up with some wonderful
giving ideas, whether for Christmas or at random. Suggestions?
I’d love to hear them!
Christine Bush is an
award winning, USA Today Bestselling author who has written many books and
novellas of sweet romance and light mystery. She also writes Middle Grade
Fiction. When she isn’t writing, she can be found working with clients as a
Marriage and Family Therapist in private practice, or teaching Psychology at a
local college. She lives with her family
and two crazy cats in northeastern Pennsylvania, and loves to hear from readers
and aspiring writers.
Her latest novella “Christmas Laurel”, is a sweet holiday
romance. Laurel, a retired veteran who
is healing from PTSD, takes her retired bomb dog “Duck”, and attempts to avoid
both her memories and the Christmas season.
She travels to a cabin in the Smoky Mountains in North Carolina, looking
for quiet and calm. But she didn’t
expect to find the handsome mountain man in the next cabin who is healing from
his own hurts. I hope you enjoy this
heartwarming story of love and healing. It’s available in ebook and print.
Come and join the authors of Sweet Romance Reads at the Xmas Party and Recipe Exchange on Dec 10th from 12 noon. Find the party HERE!
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