Christmastime is just around the corner! As we pack Manos de Cristo Shoeboxes and shop for Angel Tree gifts, we begin to think about how we will celebrate with our loved ones. Both of our families will be in Texas so that makes traveling easier, but the big question is what to do about gifts... This is our second year participating in an Advent Conspiracy Christmas. If you haven't heard, AC it is just a different way of celebrating, based on four simple principals~
Worship Fully
Spend Less
Give More
Love All
The first year, we stuck our toes in and asked for water donations along with the usual video games, CDs, and new clothes.
Last year we changed our giving method- we made or found a less expensive gift that was meaningful to the receiver and paired it with a donation to a charity that matched.
This year we talked about not doing gifts at all... just spending time and maybe starting some new traditions. We have decided to opt out of the normal gift exchanges this year, until we feel that we aren't just playing the "I'll buy you a gift card to Target if you get me a gift card to Old Navy" game. Taylor also had a brilliant idea that got me thinking. It went along the lines of, there is nothing wrong with buying people gifts, gifts are great! But Christmas is Jesus' birthday, not yours. So instead of blowing the budget on gifts for everyone we know who really don't have needs, we should be getting Him what He wants!
Like we said we still don't know for sure what we are doing this year, but we know we have to do something and we want to make it meaningful. We will post our official TaylorFrankie Christmas List soon for those of you looking for great gift ideas that do good as well as bring a little Christmas cheer. In the mean time take a look at the video and let us know what you are doing this year! We'd love to hear your ideas!
Worship Fully
Spend Less
Give More
Love All
The first year, we stuck our toes in and asked for water donations along with the usual video games, CDs, and new clothes.
Last year we changed our giving method- we made or found a less expensive gift that was meaningful to the receiver and paired it with a donation to a charity that matched.
This year we talked about not doing gifts at all... just spending time and maybe starting some new traditions. We have decided to opt out of the normal gift exchanges this year, until we feel that we aren't just playing the "I'll buy you a gift card to Target if you get me a gift card to Old Navy" game. Taylor also had a brilliant idea that got me thinking. It went along the lines of, there is nothing wrong with buying people gifts, gifts are great! But Christmas is Jesus' birthday, not yours. So instead of blowing the budget on gifts for everyone we know who really don't have needs, we should be getting Him what He wants!
Like we said we still don't know for sure what we are doing this year, but we know we have to do something and we want to make it meaningful. We will post our official TaylorFrankie Christmas List soon for those of you looking for great gift ideas that do good as well as bring a little Christmas cheer. In the mean time take a look at the video and let us know what you are doing this year! We'd love to hear your ideas!
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