Easy and simple gifts? Giving gifts together – what’s your strategy as husband and wife?
Sure, you’d delight to give your loved ones their hearts’ desires with money as no barrier… Rob and I would like to do that too. However, your finances as a husband and wife team might not support what you’d wish to give as Christmas or a birthday approaches.
In truth, those who you love don’t care what you give them – your presence would be gift enough. But what if you can’t even give that? The holidays can be a bittersweet event when we’re feeling bound by circumstance. What can you do to make these days more sweet than bitter?
There are still easy and simple gifts you can give as a husband and wife team, even if you’re in a tight spot.
3 easy and simple gifts when finances are tight.
Rob and I have had to do a bit of brainstorming this season. The way we would choose to celebrate with our loved ones isn’t the way it’ll work out. (Unless our loving God changes circumstances.) Here are three of the easy and simple gifts we came up with:
1 – Pray as a husband & wife team for those you love.
We forget sometimes what a beautiful gift praying for one another can be. No matter age or stage, those we love have needs where only God can make a difference. There’s still time to ask those you love about their needs, and then spend time each day, as husband and wife, praying for them. Start now.
Prayer has no cost. And the gift of intercession for your loved ones lasts into eternity.
Begin simply if you’ve never prayed together before. Here’s a post on how to easily do that. And if you need help remembering to fit prayer into your day (because we’re all busy right now), then try some of these ideas!
2 – Use technology to visit those you love. Make a date.
And as the special day comes closer, whether it’s Christmas or a birthday or some other occasion, arrange a time to connect. If you can visit in person that’s perfect. Otherwise draw close to each other via a Facetime, Zoom or Skype video call. Even a telephone call with that person can be valuable. Talking and sharing are easy and simple gifts.
When you’re together – pray together. And share a cup of tea or coffee and a cookie or cake on both ends. Do those things you’d do if you were together. Share photos. Tell a story. Talk about how much you value and appreciate your loved one. Play a game. Be creative.
As an aside: Our son just purchased a Virtual Reality headset – the technology is still new, but when we tried it Rob and I could see the possibilities… Maybe within a few years, we’ll be able to use this VR technology to “sit” with those far away, as though we’re in the same room. I can’t explain the extraordinarily immersive experience of VR. You really need to try it to understand. It’s truly amazing!
3 – Share a warm gift delivered to their door.
When distance separates you and your loved ones, there is still the opportunity to mail or ship a little something. However, if finances are a challenge then you also need to be aware of shipping/mailing costs. Rob and I need to mail items across the US border, so the costs skyrocket if we’re not careful.
As I mentioned, we did some brainstorming and came up with something those we love will appreciate, we can “share” the experience with them, and the shipping costs will be minimal. See? Easy and simple gifts. Guess what it is?
TEA!
I ordered a variety of tea flavors from Stash Tea and made little easy and simple gifts to open.
Tea bags are light, and if they’re packaged correctly they’ll easily fit into an envelope. The mailing costs will be minimal, but the enjoyment will last for days! And behind every tea bag in their own little envelope, I added a Scripture verse to encourage and surprise. God is faithful. All things work together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. These are good reminders for all of us!
Now we can have our long-distance visit via technology, while all of us sip our tea!
Below the image are the instructions if you want to try your hand at these easy and simple gifts! Keep Scrolling!
Here’s a craft to try – even for those who aren’t “crafty”. 😉
You’ll need one 12×12 cardstock, three pieces of 8.5×11 decorative paper, 6 Scripture verses printed (see below for 2 PDFs to download), glue, scissors, a decorative punch for the embellishment and little sticky foam dots.
- Cut the 12×12 cardstock to 8.5×11. Use the leftover strip to cut out 6 embellishments to put on the outside of each envelope.
- Cut each of the 8.5×11 decorative paper pieces (not cardstock) into two 5.5inchx5.5inch pieces. With the leftover strips punch out 4 embellishments – you’ll be gluing two embellishments into the inside of each envelope.
- Fold a 5.5×5.5 inch piece of decorative paper around one tea bag to begin making the envelope. (You’ll eventually glue each envelope onto the cardstock.) Turn the 5.5×5.5 paper like a diamond, fold the sides first, then the top and bottom. See the photo below. Do this with all 6 pieces of 5.5×5.5 decorative paper you’ve cut out.
- In the middle of each 5.5×5.5 envelope glue on two embellishments and a scripture verse. Place the tea bag into the envelope and refold it with the Tea bag inside. Use one of the cardstock embellishments (the same as the cardstock you will be gluing the envelope onto) and use the little sticky foam circles to secure the envelope closed. One foam circle at the top of the circle and one at the bottom so they secure the top and bottom fold closed. Do this with all 6 envelopes. I found it’s easier to open the envelope with these foam circles than using glue.
- Glue the 6 envelopes to the 8.5×11 cardstock. You’re done!
When your recipient opens the envelope they find a different tea bag every time,
and a difference Scripture verse to encourage them!
Click to download the first 6 Scripture
and click AGAIN HERE for the second page of 6 Scripture options
Here’s the embellishment punch I used – It’s called the Fiskars X-Large Squeeze Punch, Seal of Approval
and a paper cutter/trimmer is handy to use instead of scissors if you’re at all like me and can’t seem to cut a straight line!
AND
Take a look at STASH TEA
So many varieties of tea – something for everyone! (Even those who say they don’t like tea!)
This post contains affiliate links – this means that should you choose to purchase any items, then Rob and I would receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for your support!
These are great! Although, nonbelievers don’t appreciate prayer (I’ve been knocked about that). I love that gift list though. I’m going to have to read that post on how to pray together!!
Thanks for commenting, Gina. I agree, that those who don’t believe in God or Christ don’t see the value in prayer. I still pray, privately, for them anyway. 😉
You’re right, a gift doesn’t have to cost lots of money to bless the receiver. And your suggestions here are lovely, esp prayer. Cheers!
Thanks for stopping by Edith! Thank you for your words of affirmation. Sometimes being hampered by distance or finances cause us to be a little more creative…
Great ideas! Thanks for sharing