This year, instead of trying to come up with gift ideas at the last minute, I started a list on my phone that I have added to periodically since my wedding in June. When it came time to purchase presents, I had thoughtful, unique options for most of our family members.
Mr. Handsome and I celebrated two Christmases, one with his family and one with mine. The picture to the left shows my in-laws’ tree just before we opened our gifts. With two parents, seven kids, two children in-law, one granddaughter, and one boyfriend, there were 13 of us.
It may seem that there was an overwhelming amount of presents under the tree, but we didn’t spend an overwhelming amount of money.
My husband’s youngest brother wrapped up several of his favorite devotion books to pass on to his younger siblings. My mother-in-law made a dozen freezer meals for her second-oldest son who lives alone and has limited culinary skills. Anne (my oldest sister-in-law) and I found a number of gently used Christian books on Amazon for as little as $3.00 each.
What does your family do at Christmastime to place a greater focus on giving than receiving?