We're in the week of Christmas, and we can all sense the mounting excitement, but also the mounting stress. I feel like no matter how early we start preparing and doing things in advance, there are still so many little things that fill the week before Christmas that can create a lot of chaos. Honestly, some of this is unavoidable, and I think we would do better to understand and embrace it rather than create an idyllic scene in our minds that can inevitably cause disappointment (I've been there). 

One of the inevitable stressors are last-minute gifts. I want to encourage you to get alone with God and quietly ask Him, "How can I give encouragement and show Your love to _______?" Change how you're thinking about the word "gift." Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Write meaningful, loving letters. Choose some pretty paper (or a legal pad. . .or a piece of printer paper. . .), sit down and write them a letter. What do you love about them? What memories do you share? Think about those we love who have passed away. What do we cherish the most? For me, it's seeing their handwriting and knowing they themselves wrote that note to me. In a digital age, we need tangible, hand-written records for our families. This is the most precious gift you can give. 
• In a similar vein, choose twelve notecards and write similar sentiments as I mentioned above. They can open one note per month for monthly encouragement! Great for a college student (or anyone)!
• Write down your favorite recipe on a pretty recipe card and put the non-perishable ingredients in a basket. This is special AND practical! This is perfect for daughters, granddaughters, etc. 
• Gift cards are the classic go-to, but to make it more special, add something else. For instance, buy a restaurant gift card for your son and his wife, but include a cute note that says "You both work so hard and are wonderful parents. We want you to invest in your marriage! Enjoy dinner on us and we will provide babysitting!" It's the WORDS that make the gift special. 
• Similarly, if you give a gift card, share some personal thoughts along with it. Give a Home Goods gift card, but add a note that says something like: "Creating a home is so special and I can't wait to see how you decorate! I'm praying the Lord's peace and presence over your home."
• Pre-pay for three months (or however long) of house cleaning for a tired young mom.
• Write coupons for practical help: a casserole you'll deliver once-a-month (this would bless anyone!), laundry-folding for an overwhelmed mom, or weekly time of reading aloud to an elderly loved one.
• Sensory box subscriptions are great for kids and help moms, too! You can print out a certificate with a note that says: "You're an amazing mom! I love watching you take care of your little ones. Maybe this will buy you a few hours of quiet so you can recharge!"
• Purchase a Bible and go through it, marking your favorite verses and making notes in the margins. This is a priceless gift for ANYONE you love! 

Believe me, I understand how putting this into action can be difficult! With five kids and lots of other factors, there is so much filling my mind. However, I have a choice in how I respond. Of course I've had plenty of moments where I have felt a little overwhelmed, but in this season of my life the pervading feeling is just being tired. Again, some of this is unavoidable! For those of us who are the organizers and coordinators of the family, certain logistics have to be discussed and thought about. However, we DO have a choice in how we let these things affect our thinking and our attitudes. We can allow stress to build and resentment to grow, or we can choose differently. 

Plenty is written about keeping our mindset on Christ during this season and keeping our focus on the right things, but living it out can prove difficult. We have to intentionally choose to course-correct and recenter, and this is a daily process. 

I am going to choose to start my day in the Word of God.

I am going to choose to turn off my email notifications so I don't see advertisements constantly. 

I am going to choose to spend time at home as a family this week instead of creating a "Christmas activity schedule" that will fill our nights (don't mistake doing "activities" as a family for true quality time).

I am going to release the unrealistic ideas I've created in my mind and ask myself "What will truly honor our humble, holy Savior?"

I am going to worship with my heart and not just my attendance at the Christmas Eve Service.

I am going to talk to the Lord about the stress I feel and continually be filled with His peace. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)

It's not too late to adjust your heart and mindset this week. It's not too late to make the changes necessary so Christ can fill your home and heart! Let's spend these days leading up to Christmas by opening our eyes to the joy He has given us through His Son and praising Him for all He has done!