The Gift of Love

Aw, the Thanksgiving and Christmas season is fast approaching! It’s getting close to the time for baking marathons, endless lists, gift wrapping that could rival the elves, and the annual budget “discussion” over what gifts we can actually afford to give.

If you’re anything like me, there’s joy in giving, but let’s be real: the last thing we want is the gift of debt tagging along into the new year!

This time of the year, I get googly feelings in my tummy as I face the same conundrum. I want to shower my family with love, find something meaningful, and avoid feeling like Scrooge while doing it. And yet, sometimes I wonder if the best gifts can’t be wrapped or boxed up at all.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: the gifts that mean the most are often the ones that cost the least. And when we let go of the perfect gift pressure, peace and joy find their way back into our hearts.

So here’s what I’ve been thinking. Maybe this year, the best gift is time. Instead of stressing over shiny objects, what if we give the gift of undivided attention, a heartfelt letter, a homemade dinner, or a long-awaited family game night?

For those who need to laugh, a handwritten card filled with favorite memories can be priceless. And for loved ones with hearts aching for hope, how about a prayer written down, a reminder of God’s faithfulness?

Let’s take a deep breath together this season. Maybe we won’t have Pinterest-perfect gifts or the grandest holiday spread, but what if we focus on making memories, not just purchases? What if we find joy in the simple things—a cup of hot cocoa, a warm hug, a good laugh around the dinner table?

So here’s to celebrating with our whole hearts and a peace that no price tag can buy. May we remember that love doesn’t need ribbons and bows—it just needs us to be present, in the truest sense.

And let’s hold on to this: the gift of God’s love, which brings us peace and joy, never needs to be earned or bought. Now that’s a gift worth celebrating.