The 6 Best Christmas Gifts I've Ever Given and Received

Do you hear that sound? Be honest. Do you hear it? Sounds something like jingle bells, and the tune has only been growing louder since Halloween ended. Now, we’re fast approaching one of the most anticipated holidays of the year - Christmas. One of the reasons the day is so special is because of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Various people still debate when exactly Jesus was born, but regardless of the answer, December 25th is the day we choose to honor and celebrate His life. We do that through prayer, being merry, and spreading cheer. Interestingly, Christmas, though undoubtedly a Christian holiday, is also celebrated by other people, including nonbelievers. They too often partake in the merriment. What we have in common on this special day is our affinity for gift-giving.

While many of us grow happy with the concentrated effort to give thanks to God for His son, there are also many of us, not just kids, who grow excited about the gifts. Christmas provides a time to give and receive presents. Of course, we can do this at any point during the year, but for Christians, partaking in this while celebrating Jesus makes the act all the more special.

We feel brighter inside because of His love, and we feel brighter outside because of the onslaught of lit Christmas trees, decorations, snowmen, candy canes, snow angels, fireplaces, and the list goes on and on. Another list that goes on and on is the gift list. Children can rattle off tons of toys or video games they want, and adults too have a mental list, even when they pretend they don’t.

But what gifts make the best gifts? And what gifts should you try getting your loved ones this year? There are definitely some worthwhile ideas, but let’s ask another question first. Why do we give gifts at Christmas?

Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Choreograph

Why do we give gifts at Christmas?

We don’t just give gifts on Christmas. We give an innumerable amount of gifts. So many gifts that businesses put on sales to encourage more spending. There aren’t many businesses that don’t take advantage of this time of year. We spend so much on gifts that Christmas is one of the top holidays where people spend the most money. Why do we spend so much on this single day?

Surely not because the businesses beckon us.

Why is the day not instead solely about quality time or acts of service?

Some answer the question by pointing to our modern capitalistic and material-driven culture. They would only be partially right. In our Christian tradition, gift-giving has its origins in Scripture. When Jesus was born, the Magi brought gifts for the Lord. We read about this in the Book of Matthew, as one interpretation of the Nativity scene.

“When they saw the star, they were overwhelmed with joy. Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary, his mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” (Matthew 2:10-11)

We imitate this same act, not by presenting gifts to baby Jesus, but by honoring the King in our presentation of gifts to one another. We give gifts to spouses, relatives, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and more. Some give gifts to people who service them, garbage men, cops, grocery store clerks, librarians. Who we share love with this season is only limited by our imagination.

Ultimately, whoever we decide to show love to, we should definitely aim to serve someone. Christian faith is about love, and in that love is service. God gave His Son; His Son gave His life. With His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus offered us forgiveness and salvation. The least we can do is give a gift to someone.

The word gift includes, but is not limited to, material items. Keep that in mind as you read through this list of best gifts I’ve ever given or received. May each of them, or at least one, offer you inspiration this season. Note: not all of these gifts were given during Christmas. Nonetheless, they would all make potential great gifts for the holiday. Here are 6 of the best gifts I’ve ever given and received:

1. Personalized Cards

One of the worst gifts people can give me is a card. Not just any card, but the ones that are predesigned and have words inside. The ones where the sender simply signs their name. That’s it! I glance at the card then throw it away. There’s nothing sentimental to relish. Most people treat cards this way.

Recognizing this about myself, I decided to turn something I disliked into something I enjoyed. When I send cards to people, whether predesigned or handmade, I always include a personalized message. Even if the card already has words in it, I still write my own message for the person. What I tend to express are words of gratitude, recounting specific experiences or conversations we have shared. This makes the person feel appreciated and lets them know that I didn’t just think about getting them a card. I considered what ideas would be most impactful to them.

2. Card and Board Games

Connect 4, Chess, Monopoly, and the many other games coming out each year are gifts worthy of sharing with others. This is especially true if you live with other people. While I was still living at home with my family, my parents purchased Uno and that game has become a staple for the household. Today, when I visit, we still sometimes play. And like many evenings before, we talk, laugh, and of course, get salty over losses. The good times only increased when we added other games like Family Feud.

Games really do help build relationships.

3. A Journal

As a gift for a woman I was dating, I purchased a journal for us to exchange on a semi-regular basis. I would write a message to her, along with some Would You Rather questions, and reasons why I was grateful for her. Then I would give the book to her, and she would respond to my writings if she chose, then add her own takes.

This intimate gift is great for spouses and people dating. The journal allows you to communicate even if the other person is not physically present.

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4. A Hand-Drawn Picture

Drawing a picture takes time, potentially hours. People like gifts that reveal your effort. Moreover, drawing according to the person’s interests expresses intimate knowledge of them. That’s even more reason for them to be grateful.

I drew a picture for my choreographer that represented his interest in African dance forms, and his own affinity for movement. The picture was simply a page plucked from a sketchbook, therefore not that large. However, I drew something that was colorful and very detailed. The image took quite a bit of time. I think Christmas passed when I was done.

5. Acts of Service

An act of service is simply a task performed for the benefit of someone else. Gift-giving definitely could fall under this purview, however, not everyone likes physical gifts. Sometimes people are terrible at figuring out what gifts to buy (I’m in this group). To compensate for the bad-gift-giving syndrome, consider some other acts you can take for your loved ones.

Help someone clean out their house.

Put together someone’s new furniture.

Help someone move.

Assist the hoarders in your social circles.

Volunteer at a food bank.

Assist someone in setting up a new phone.

Cook a meal and share with someone.

Run errands for someone.

Share sweets with the neighbors.

The biggest obstacle with this type of gift is people knowing what they want. Try and have an idea of what they could use before asking. If they aren’t sure, do something you think will benefit them.

6. Personalized Goodie Bag

One of the best and funniest gifts I received was a goodie bag from someone I was dating. In the bag, she included a personalized card and other miscellaneous items she thought would be beneficial – something to clean my computer and a journal. Each was representative of my interests. She even included popcorn since we often watched movies together. What topped everything was the bottle of Ranch, something she knew I put on everything!

Are you still stuck?

Here are some great Christmas ideas to consider before you head to the store for last-minute shopping.

Buy a book of devotionals.

Purchase tickets for a domestic or international trip.

Buy a Bible for someone.

Buy concert tickets for their favorite artists.

Pick a day to hang out, game, watch movies, and eat out.

Create and print coupons for your significant other to cash in. (Couples)

Volunteer at a shelter.

Deliver cookies to your local library.

Make a phone call to someone you haven’t spoken to in a while.

Teach someone how to cook a meal.

Buy someone a comic book.

Your imagination is the limit to what you can do on this holiday and beyond.

Conclusion

Why do we enjoy exchanging gifts so much? Maybe we feel honored, appreciated, seen, by those thoughtful enough to give us something. Whether material or not, we appreciate when others look out for us. There are those among us, sometimes ourselves, who grew up in households where we did not feel love and appreciated. Some still reside in such places. Gifts offer a great opportunity to show acknowledgment to such people, to remind those who feel like the least, that God values them plenty.

Gifts also allow us to display the power of God’s provision, something we sometimes forget. Christmas gifts offer a chance to get what we want, but sometimes what we need.

In the end, we feel loved by those receiving our gifts, and by those with whom we give. And God’s love is still far greater than any of that. Who can truly fathom His love. At best, we can do our part to imitate what He has shown us. And with that, let the gift-giving begin.

“We love because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)