What is #shopwiser?
It’s a heart-conscious holiday shopping gift guide.
Day 1 – The focus was on shop to GIVE.
Day 2 – The focus was on shop to EMPOWER.
Day 3 – The focus was on shop to TRAIN HEARTS.
Today’s topic is SHOP TO CONNECT with your family. Think back to your childhood. Do you really remember the stuff you got for Christmas? Ok, I remember one microphone and I remember a Kate Spade purse I cried for in college. Other than that – I really don’t remember my things so much. I remember when we connected.I remember the memories of being together.
I remember wading in the creeks at Stone Mountain. I remember our ski trips with our huge family. I remember doing my dad’s hair in his recliner. I remember our dinners together around the table. I remember splashing in the lake and laughing. I remember my mom’s chocolate cake.
I wasn’t a happy child because I had a lot of stuff – I was happy because I was loved like crazy and we were together.
Could gifts look more like experiences?
Is budget an issue this year? Is space an issue? Every kid will certainly want to open SOMETHING to light up their little hearts. However, what if we shopped their year with CONNECTION in mind. What if we could provide an experience for our kids? Could the stuff or the gift LEAD to a time or moment when we are intentionally together. Here are a few ideas.
1. GRANDPARENT SLEEPOVER
There is no sweet love than the love of grandparents and their grandkids. I feel like I gave these four people the two biggest gifts of a lifetime. What if you scheduled and planned and gave each for Christmas a set “sleepover” date? A special one? You could give the kids a new sleeping bag? Or even just a gift certificate you printed (“This coupon is good for one sleepover at Grammy and Poppy’s!”). You could include in the grandparent bag or bucket a thing of popcorn, movie, etc.
2. GAME NIGHT
Start a new tradition with your family. You want time with those kids that is fun. What if you locked yourself into a certain night? Then, you won’t forget! Promise them that Friday night is Game Night – just for your family. No guests. Daddy home on time. Mom’s phone off. Put that in the gift – a contract. Include a few fun games. We love this game. Comment below what games you love?
3. ROAD TRIP
This family’s plan has seriously blown me away. They are homeschooling and taking over Europe. I am foaming at the mouth at this idea. It got me thinking. What if? What if?! What if took your kids on a tour one summer of the places that were special to you and your husband? Your college campuses? Your first date place? Your hometowns? A favorite city? It might take a couple years of planning and some serious savings – but for Christmas – it might be the gift of the FIRST city. Give a map, a theme for that city (peaches for Georgia).
4. FAMILY MISSIONS TRIP
Do you know one way to teach them service and compassion? Have them get involved. I have been watching Lighthouse Family Retreat for years. They take terminally ill kids and their families on vacation in Florida and love them like crazy. Your families can go! Together! And serve together. I am thinking this year or next year might be our year. I think wrapping up this idea under the tree for our kids. We are going to the beach – together! Could be a fun gift to us. I know we would be going to “serve,” but what God would do for our family and our hearts would far exceed whatever we planned to do for others.
Fun Coupon Ideas for Their Stockings
- Ice Cream Run
- Date Night with Mom or Dad
- Stay up late one hour
- Friend sleep over
- Out to movie
- Back scratch
- Massage
#SHOPWISER: Day 3, Shop to Train Hearts
