As part of our Christmas Rebellion series @ a2, we prepared this brochure to hopefully serve as a springboard for creative gift giving ideas this Christmas.
Again, special thanks to Rick McKinley and Imago Dei for their insight and innovation in introducing Advent Conspiracy a few years back and encouraging other churches, like a2, to get on the bandwagon. Rick's messages and the work of Advent Conspiracy have really inspired all that's behind Christmas Rebellion.
Also, for additional ideas, visit Rethinking Christmas, a community board where people from around the world give and share ideas from people around the world.
Gift Ideas for [Relational] Giving
Here are a few ideas to get your own creative juices flowing!
The gift of [time]:
• Host Monday Night Football and make homemade pizza, barbecue or your own specialty.
• Wrap popcorn, gourmet rootbeer, a classic DVD and self-made “tickets” for a special movie night at the house.
• Wrap 2 copies of a used classic book to read with a friend or your spouse
• Check out Zoo Light Safari in Birmingham with a group of friends or family and follow the Christmas lights up with hot cocoa and Christmas cookies at home.
• Take a trip to Stone Mountain Park just outside of Atlanta, Georgia and experience “The Polar Express.” Check Craig’s List for discount tickets or visit www.stonemountainpark.com.
Make some creative [ Coupons ] or [ Gift Certificates ]:
• Babysitting for your worn out sister-in-law
• Yard work for an elderly person in your life.
• A “get out of school day” with your kid featuring a “one day out-of-town-adventure” with your son or daughter.
• A car maintenance certificate to change the oil and fluid’s in a friend or family member’s car (obviously, if you know how to do this stuff.)
• Help on a home improvement project. A coupon to help your friend or family member build that shed, clean the garage, organize a closet, etc.
• A new baseball or softball bat and a trip to the batting cages.
• A new guitar strap and a trip to Guitar Center or your favorite area music shop to check out and play guitars together.
• A day with your cameras for the photographer friend.
• A day hike at Moss Rock Preserve or Oak Mountain State Park where you bring a picnic lunch.
Some [ stuff ] you can [ make ]:
• Simple Scrapbook with pictures of time with the person you’re giving it to…
• A Memory Scrapbook of the kids for family members who live far away.
• A “home published” story or book, written and illustrated by the kids. (The time you and your kids spend creating it will be priceless.)
• A “home published” story or book for the kids. You write the story and include them in it. Come up with your own way to creatively illustrate the story.
• For the computer and amateur movie maker, create a DVD featuring moments from the past year accompanied by music that has sort of served as the “sound track” for your life. Copy it for family members.
• For the artist, create your own unique work of art (a painting, mosaic, sculpture, etc), sign it, date it and give it to a family member or friend.
• Write a song – even a silly song – especially for someone you love. Record it with “Garage Band” and give it to your family member or friend.
If you’re [ stuck ]: Just ask yourself, “What can I do? What does my friend or family member like to do?” Then make time to do it with them!
Finally, a side note:
This isn’t about creating a bunch of new rules to be legalistic about.
It’s okay to spend money. In fact, sometimes creating something cool can be much more expensive that just buying something at Walmart. Don’t create additional pressure, worry and guilt by feeling as if you can’t spend a dime. Just make a decision to step out of the [consumerism] that dominates our culture and [enjoy Christmas] for a change.
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