Have you heard about the 5 Love Languages from Gary Chapman. You probably have, right? The idea is that different people have different love languages...different ways they give and receive love.
The 5 Love Languages are:
- Words of Affirmation
- Quality Time
- Receiving Gifts
- Physical Touch
- Acts of Service
You can take a quiz that tells you what your love language is...and it's probably not too hard to guess the love language of your loved ones.
Well, I score ZERO on the receiving gifts parts. ZERO. My love languages are quality time and acts of service. Gifts...not even close.
Well, I score ZERO on the receiving gifts parts. ZERO. My love languages are quality time and acts of service. Gifts...not even close.
Which makes this time of year especially challenging. It's funny...because I keep reading all these articles and blog posts about how to have a minimalist Christmas and how not to overdo it on presents, and I'm all, no problemo..I got this.
There is NO danger of me overdoing it on gifts. None, nada, zilch. Well, besides the fact that we can't afford anything, I don't enjoy giving gifts and I don't enjoy receiving gifts (unless it's something I specifically want/need/pick out and can't afford..and then I appreciate it, a lot). I don't like surprise gifts though.
If it was up to me, I would just as soon skip the whole gift thing...birthdays, holidays...just skip it.
But, it's not up to me.
So, here are a few tips I've learned to make gift giving and gift receiving a bit easier and less stressful.
1) First of all, if you are having trouble deciding what to give someone here's a secret. Most people enjoying receiving the types of gifts they give. So, if someone oftentimes gives gift cards or books or food gifts...those are probably the types of gifts they would enjoy receiving.
Just a little secret for any fellow gift-hating grinches.
2)It's okay to procrastinate. Really it is. Sometimes we have the best ideas under pressure. Or sometimes being under pressure can take the stress off...because you just gotta pick something. So you do. And, it's fine.
3)And, if you have a gift-hating person in your life...consider acts of service or quality time. Offer to do something for them or spend time with them. Most people like that...and bonus..you get to brag about how non-materialistic and minimalist you are. Plus you can really never go wrong with gift cards or cash.
4)If you receive an awful gift...an ugly sweater or an electronic robo-guard dog..well consider it a chance to practice charity and love...and re-gifting.
5) When it comes to kids...stick with what you know they like. You can't really go wrong if you get art suppplies for the art-loving kid or legos for the lego-loving crowd.
6) Keep in mind the real reason we give gifts...to remember the great gift that Christ gave us. Somehow that makes it a bit easier. Since Christ already gave the ultimate gift, nothing we will ever give will ever compare so no need to worry about it. And it gives a bit more purpose to the gift-giving thing.
Whether you love gifts or hate them, I hope you have a happy and stress-free rest of Advent!
Do you like gifts? Have you taken the love languages quiz? What's your love language? Do you enjoy holiday gift giving or do you find it stressful? Inquiring minds and all that.
