Ever thought of giving the BEST gift?

“There’s only one thing more precious than our time and that’s who we spend it on.”

-Leo Christopher

Can you remember your favorite gift you received for Christmas last year? Can you remember any gift you received for Christmas last year? Let me ask you another question, Can you remember who you spent Christmas with last year? Aha! I bet you can! The reason being; we remember experiences far better than we remember the things we receive. Now, things can be good! Our phones are things and they allow us the ability to connect with loved ones, which is especially important as we have learned this past year. Our vehicles are things and they help us get to work, serve a neighbor, or get to a doctor. There are many things we have and need that are helpful. With three boys, though, sometimes the things can really start to add up, especially at Christmas time. So this year, I wanted to rethink what I was giving them…more things or more of my time?

I always try to gift my boys, ages 13, 10, & 5, with something special and unique that isn’t from a wish list, although they do get a couple of those from Santa. Sometimes the gift fulfills a need. For example, one year I gave them warming pads for their beds, which they really really loved and enjoy even to this day. A couple of years ago, I hand made a stuffed animal for each of them. They were not perfect but I can guarantee they were one of a kind. Another Christmas, I gifted them with their own copy of a favorite book that they had checked out from the library that year. So, this year was no different and as I reflected back over this crazy year that was 2020, I realized that even though we had spent a lot of time together, it was still flying by way too fast. So I got an idea in my head and well, we know how that goes! This Christmas, I am giving them time boxes! First, what is a time box you may ask? It is simply a box containing a gift from the past, a gift for the present and one to look forward to in the future. I couldn’t be more excited to see their faces when they open their packages on Christmas morning!

My middle son is my snuggler, he always has been so his “past” gift is a shirt! A shirt? Yes, the only way I could get him to sleep as a baby was to give him my shirt. That shirt is now quite tattered and falling to pieces, so I searched and found him a new one! His “present” gift is a Panera gift card because we love going to get cookies together. For a “future” gift we will snuggle up and watch a Harry Potter movie while enjoying some candy and popcorn!

My oldest, he’s 13, so yeah I’m savoring every moment. He became a teenager this year in so many ways and I love that he still thinks it’s cool to hang out with his mom. His gift to represent the past is a Harris Teeter gift card. Before this crazy year, our Saturday routine was he and I going to the grocery store together. He mentioned the other day how much he misses it! I think he will really enjoy being able to buy gum, drinks and fresh veggies…haha probaly not but a mom can hope! His “present gift is tea and cookies. We have a Tuesday tradition of enjoying tea and shortbread cookies while we work on his writing assignments. Finally, his future gift is a coupon for an adventure- mountain biking, air soft, or racing at K-1 Speed. The “fine print” really cracks me up!

I can hardly wait for Christmas morning! I love that the gifts are something tangible but the real gift is a gift of time that we will enjoy long after the pretty packages are opened!

Have you ever thought of gifting someone with the BEST gift, the gift of your time? Merry Christmas friends!