T-minus 13 days until the biggest shopping day of the year, Black Friday! In a previous life, I would line up at midnight outside of a store so I could get my hands on the best gifts and deals. Even though online shopping channels have drastically reduced the commotion around Black Friday, it is still the official kick off to the Christmas season, aka, the season to shop until you drop!
Speaking of dropping…….
It’s also the season to drop all your hard earned cash, drop the bomb that your kid is not getting another ridiculously overpriced gadget, and dropping your exhausted, broke and lifeless body in your bed in hopes of a silent night.
Yes, the gift giving season can be stressful for multiple reasons. For the corporate folks it’s the fast approaching deadlines for year end performance evals and the reset of the annual budget. For others, it’s the details of travel planning and the endless efforts involved in hosting the holiday gathering. For some it’s the sadness of remembering a lost loved one and having an empty seat in the gift giving circle.
For many, it’s the pressure of finding the perfect gifts for the special people in our lives 🎁
Last December I wrote a post titled “GIFTED” in hopes of helping readers remember the non-material related characteristics of gift giving. Today, I present to you excerpts from that post, as a reminder for this year.
Most of us will admit that the best gifts in life cannot be bought with money, though we still stress about spending and spend due to stressing. Let’s take a moment to remember what matters most when picking out the perfect gift.
Characteristics of the Perfect Gift
Perfect gifts are from the heart, not the wallet. 💝
Perfect gifts are selfless and have no personal expectations.
Perfect gifts aren’t always what we want to give, but what others want to receive.
Perfect gifts do not come from a place of stress. 🧘🏻♀️
Perfect gifts do not require perfect timing. ⏰
Here’s What I’ve Learned Since My Previous Life of Throwing Elbows on Black Friday:
I’ve learned that perfect gifts are often irreplaceable, like the gift of time, and all of the afternoons I spent with my Grandpa.
I’ve learned sometimes the perfect gift comes from hard work, like the gift of accomplishment, and crossing the finish line of Ironman 70.3 🏊🏼♀️ 🚴🏻♀️ 🏃🏻♀️
I’ve learned the perfect gift often seems out of reach, until another person goes in on it with you. For me that’s been the gift of marriage, and having a husband who gets up at 3am, travels 2 flights with you, and then drives 6 hours in the worst anticipated snow storm of the decade, without a second thought or complaint, just to make sure you make it home to see your family for Christmas. 💒
I’ve learned sometimes the perfect gift doesn’t stay wrapped and has to be taped back together several times, like the gift of self acceptance.
I’ve learned that sometimes it can be impossible to thank those who paid the price of a perfect gift, like the gift of freedom in the USA. 🇺🇸
Last year, I received the perfect gift of relationship and realization. Relationship with Jesus and realization of the price He paid, for the gift of life, paid for by death. It is the gift I enjoy sharing with others the most.
Thanks for following Project Breadcrumb Trail. I hope today’s post helps you wrap your mind around the gifts that matter most this Christmas season and every single day.
Please share with your family and friends and SUBSCRIBE today.
May God bless and protect our country and everyone reading.
~MLO
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