relational giving

So this past Sunday I proposed to our church a three-tiered approach to celebrating Christmas from a more intentional place. You can download it HERE (including a special advent calendar that will rock your world - literally), but one of the thoughts is "relational giving" - a concept that deals with us giving of ourselves more than stuff.

Because, after all, Christmas is about the best relational gift of all... YEAH!

Listed below are some ideas I wanted to pass along... gifts that in some way increase the relational capacity you and another person could share over the course of a year.

• 52 packets of gourmet hot chocolate with a personal coffee cup: So that you can share a special time together once a week.


• Two journals: You each write in one for two months and write down various things you see in the other person during that time - steps of growth they're taking, outstanding qualities, any blind spots, and so on. Then at the end of two months you switch.


• Deck of cards and book of card game rules: This gives you an excuse to do something to hang out together.


• Collage of special photos: Highlighting your favorite memories together.


• Bottle of sparkling cider and a picnic basket filled with deli cheese and fruit: Make plans to have a picnic together, even if it's inside.


• Disposable camera or rolls of film: Devoted for the sole use of capturing future memories together.


• Craft supplies: Geared to help you do something creative together.


• Gardening gloves with a plant or flower seeds: Indicating you'll work on a garden together.


• Homemade cookie mix with instructions for baking: Take turns making each other a round every couple of weeks.


• Fancy magazines tied together with a pretty ribbon: Read them together and talk about the articles.


• Gourmet popcorn and video rental gift certificates: Movie nights every week for a month - 'nuff said.


• Locally made barbecue or steak sauce with basting brush: Use this as a way to not only spend time together but also invite some new friends into your relational circle.


• Pancake or waffle mix and a bottle of real maple syrup: Sometimes you just need to start the day off together right... use this to guarantee the food is good.


• Movie theater gift certificates: Take turns picking movies to see together - no complaints.


• Board games: Draw people of all ages and backgrounds together through the games you play together.


• Books: There are still a few for under $10 that you can read through together.


• Basket filled with kitchen gadgets: Decide you'll spend some extra time finding recipes that force you to use them and cook for each other.


• Prepaid long distance phone cards: Especially helpful if you are separated by miles.


• A watch with an alarm on it: When it goes off you pray for each other.


• Colorful Post-It notepads: Give each other permission to leave encouraging notes in unexpected places around the house


• Puzzles: There's nothing like the good old fashioned task of putting the pieces of a puzzle together... and it gives you plenty of time to talk.

Got any more?