A Hope-Filled Christmas Gift Guide! [for the weary, the home, the writer, and the planner]
It’s been a harder, stranger year than many of us expected. Maybe we’re entering the Christmas season exhausted and weary. Maybe we’re excited to have something to celebrate. But whatever you’re feeling, my guess is that we could all use a little hope.
This gift guide is meant to help with that.
From sweatshirts reminding us that the weary world can rejoice to shelves to display plants that bring life into our homes, each product in some way is meant help encourage, inspire, or refresh the recipient.
Purchasing these products will also help the people who make them. Aside from the books, each item comes from a small business–and even with the books, you can purchase from Bookshop.org instead of Amazon to support local bookstores. Several items also support meaningful causes like helping human trafficking victims, small family-run coffee farms, or local families in need of food.
Hebrews 10:23 says, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” Whatever this year has brought you, let’s remember–and remind each other–that we have hope.
I pray this gift guide will help us do that in a tangible way this Christmas.
Note: Some of these links are affiliate links. You do not pay anything more when purchasing these items, but I receive a small commission when purchases are made using these links. I promise that I only recommend things I truly love and think you will, too!
For the weary
Most of us could use an extra cup of coffee these days, and FreshGround will help you serve coffee people love. Plus, they work with organizations around world to make sure the coffee is responsibly sourced, benefitting coffee farmers and communities.
And to go with the coffee, order some of these holiday goodies from Kendall Vanderslice. Kendall is a talented baker as well as a gifted writer who exemplifies what it means to nourish not just the body but the soul. You can also donate loaves of bread to a family in need.
Take Heart: 100 Devotions to Seeing God When Life's Not Okay is such a timely book considering the events of 2020. Grab a copy at Bookshop.org to support independent bookstores.
Remind someone of the hope we have with this “Better Days” hat from Dear Mushka. As they write on their site, “This year is proof that our world is broken. May we fix our eyes on eternity and praise God for the better days He has promised us!”
For the home
If you’ve followed me for a while, you know how much I love Every Moment Holy. I love these prints of several of the prayers. They’re a beautiful way to help cultivate a life of prayer in your home.
Many of us are spending a lot of time at home these days. Kennesha Buycks’ book, Restoration House: Creating a Space That Gives Life and Connection to All Who Enter can help us not just reside in our house, but build a joyful, hope-filled home.
There are so many companies and organizations who bring hope and healing to people all over the world. I absolutely love the products and mission of Eleventh Candle Co. They make incredible candles everyone will love (I just ordered their Honey & Fig candle, and I can’t wait to use it!). Plus, they work to “redeem, restore, empower and equip those vulnerable to human trafficking, abuse, exploitation and addiction.” Learn more and shop here. (UPDATE as of 10/21: I’ve had some trouble with shipping delays and customer service with Eleventh Candle Co. I love their products and mission, but unfortunately based on my recent experience, I can’t recommend them anymore. Instead, check out the candles from Mercy House Global.)
I used to never be able to keep indoor plants alive (I still struggle a little). But there’s something about the fresh greenery that makes everything seem a little more hopeful. These plant shelves are a beautiful way to display indoor plants and add life to your home.
For the writer
Exhale is a membership community that helps women pursue creativity alongside motherhood, for the enrichment of both experiences. Exhale also has a creative marketplace where resources and courses can be purchased without a membership commitment. Buy a mama a gift card to help her cultivate her creativity.
I worked my way through The Artist’s Way earlier this year, and I’m not exaggerating when I say it changed my writing life. It’s not just for writers but for anyone wanting to pursue their creative calling.
I’ve been eyeing Growley Leather Co.’s products lately, and this Twain Traveler’s Notebook would be a stunning gift for a writer or creative friend. Want to go all out? Check out this Flannery Book Tote.
One of the best gifts to give a writer is simply time to write. Depending on COVID restrictions where you live, you can send them out of the house for a few hours, get them a hotel for a night, stay in the basement with the kiddos while they put on headphones and write upstairs…do whatever works for you and your family. At least in my opinion, you can’t go wrong with giving the gift of uninterrupted time to put pen to paper and work on their craft.
For the planner
I have used the PowerSheets Goal Planner from Cultivate What Matters the last few years, and it’s been such a helpful tool. It’s not about just scheduling in our tasks. Rather, it’s about cultivating goals and making progress on the things that really matter to us. Think of this more as a workbook rather than a planner, although it has monthly calendars and other planning features.
I learned about this planner a few months ago. For anyone who enjoys following the Church calendar and wants to cultivate their spiritual life in the midst of the everyday, the Sacred Ordinary Days planner is perfect.
This “I Will Prioritize my Priorities” mug is a good reminder for us all as we try to stay focused and do what we actually need to do.
Kendra Adachi is a master at helping us prioritize what matters and get things done. Her recent book, The Lazy Genius Way: Embrace What Matters, Ditch What Doesn’t, and Get Stuff Done makes a great gift for friends, family, teachers, graduates, and basically anyone else who wants to spend more time on the things that matter and less time on everything else. (P.S. Don’t forget to order through Bookshop.org to support independent bookstores!)
