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Relational Giving

Giving extravagant gifts is a good thing...In fact, God gave the ultimate relational gift when he sent Jesus to our broken world. How can you spend less and give more this Christmas?

Spending time together

Prepare a feast (with candles, wine and music) for an evening with family or friends
Give your child a baseball bat for a trip to the batting cages together
Wrap two copies of a used classic book to read with a friend
Hand-paint pottery mugs with the kids at Ceramica (1428 NE Broadway)
Wrap a $5 gift card for a coffee date
Help your neighbor put up Christmas lights
Wrap popcorn, gourmet root beer and a classic dvd for a movie night
Cook a meal for someone’s aging parents
Take a friend to a concert or play
Create a scavenger hunt for your nieces and nephews
Host Monday Night Football and make homemade pizzas
Go on a day hike together (you bring lunch)
Bake a cake to celebrate Jesus’ birthday with children and tell God’s birthday story
Go night-skiing with your friends
Bundle up, pour hot cocoa in a thermos and walk through a neighborhood with lots of Christmas lights

Creative activity coupons

a use-our-house-while- we’re-on-vacation coupon for the young married couple in a cramped apartment
a house-project coupon to help your friend build that tool shed
an out-of-town adventure-together coupon for your child
a babysitting coupon for your worn-out sister-in-law
a back rub coupon for your spouse
a change-your-oil coupon for a friend with less car expertise than you
a yardwork coupon for an elderly person in your life

Things to make

Record a “Best of 2008” mix CD for friends
Create a photo album of the kids for the distant relatives
Cut up old magazines and make funny Christmas cards

Compile your favorite recipes
Knit a scarf
Record an interview with grandparents on the history of their life to give the family
Build a raised garden bed
Write a meaningful letter of appreciation
Paint a picture
“Publish” a story, written and illustrated by the kids
Make a memory book for a friend of a trip you took together
Bake Christmas goodies
Make aromatherapy oil: bellaonline.com
Make herbal tea: coffeetea.about.com
Find something else to make: www.readymademag.com

Give around the world

Buy a goat or a fruit tree in your friend's name for someone who needs it; check out the gift catalogs from World Vision or Samaritan's Purse
Participate in Mosaic's advent conspiracy offering on Sundays in December

A side note:

This isn’t about creating a bunch of new rules to be legalistic about Christmas. It’s ok to spend some money (in fact, sometimes creating something cool can be more expensive). Don’t create a whole separate set of pressures, worry and guilt by feeling like you can’t spend a dime. Just step out of the consumerism, be thoughtful and enjoy the celebration!

More: visit www.rethinkingchristmas.com to exchange ideas with people around the world.

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