My Attempt to Simplify Christmas: Three Gifts

As I've tried to simplify my life (as much as a messy lady can), it often feels like overload once we've opened presents from family and friends.  We really wanted to find a way to focus more on Christ at Christmas, so over the past few years, we have made the decision to limit the number of gifts we give to the girls.  

The girls receive three gifts from us -- and we talk about how Jesus received three gifts after He was born.  For us, it has simply been a way to draw the attention back to Jesus instead of to the gifts.


I used to just give three gifts of any kind, but now I look for these categories of gifts:

1)  Extravagant: This gift could be a bicycle, doll house, video game system, or other higher-value gift. It's a gift that isn't a necessity.

2)  Practical:  Clothing, shoes, school curriculum, and books are just a few of the practical items we've given over the years. (Yes, I know it's strange to give workbooks -- but my daughters ask for them!)

3) Spiritual: We also try to give the girls one item to encourage spiritual growth throughout the year. It could be a Bible, Bible study, CD with hymns, or a DVD of some sort. This year, the girls are getting "Giving Banks" as part of learning good stewardship of what God has given us.


How do you keep the focus on the real meaning of Christmas?!!