Become a Creator today!Start creating today - Share your story with the world!
Start for free
00:00:00
00:00:01
Episode Six: Christmas Gift Giving
36 Plays5 months ago
Join us as we talk about giving and getting gifts . . . like a Christian!
Recommended
Transcript
Introduction to The Bloom Wild Podcast
00:00:00
Bloom Wild Girls
Hello and welcome to the Bloom Wild podcast, a podcast for teens and tweens made by teens and tweens to help you think about how to live biblically in the stage of life that you're currently in.
Significance of Christmas and Gift Giving
00:00:14
Bloom Wild Girls
We are here after a little break for the Thanksgiving holidays, and we're going to talk today about Christmas and about gift giving. So I'm here with Addison and with Ellery, and we going to talk to you about why we give gifts, how we give gifts, does being a Christian change the way we do, any of that. So ready to get started, girls? Sure. Yeah. Okay. Question number one was why do we give gifts at Christmas?
00:00:44
Bloom Wild Girls
He wants to answer first. Addie? Yeah, sure. um We give gifts at Christmas because Jesus was the gift of God, and also wise men gave gifts to Jesus at Christmas, and Christmas is just the day that we choose to celebrate it. We don't know if it actually is there or not. And then I also have a verse, John 3, 16.
00:01:06
Bloom Wild Girls
For God so loved the world that he sent his only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. awesome. Yes, we have Jesus coming down to earth. God gave his only son as the greatest gift ever given. Jesus gave his life for us.
00:01:23
Bloom Wild Girls
And then of course, the wise men gave gifts to honor Jesus. um And the gifts that gave him are really meaningful too.
Biblical Examples of Gift Giving
00:01:30
Bloom Wild Girls
So they have a lot of meaning. if you I'll encourage you guys to look that up for yourselves. It's kind of fun to discover. But there's a historical example there for us, symbolic.
00:01:40
Bloom Wild Girls
And so that kind of what leads us in a It encourages us to give gifts this time of year as well. Okay, so you had another verse. Oh, actually, I think we're going to jump into the next question for our other verses, which was, Not just why do we give gifts, but does the Bible talk about giving gifts? We've discussed in this podcast before how the Bible gives commands, things it tells us to do, things it tells us not to do. But the Bible also gives us principles that we can apply to many different areas of our life. So is there anything in there about giving gifts?
00:02:15
Bloom Wild Girls
Yes, there's Matthew 2.11. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary, his mother, and they fell down and worshipped him. Then opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
00:02:29
Bloom Wild Girls
Awesome. So that is the wise man story, giving their gifts to Jesus.
Principles of Discreet and Thoughtful Gift Giving
00:02:35
Bloom Wild Girls
All right, and what else did you have? Matthew 6, Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogue and in the streets, that they may be praised by others.
00:02:48
Bloom Wild Girls
Truly I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
00:03:01
Bloom Wild Girls
Awesome. And that verse touches a little bit on how we should give gifts. So we'll come back to that in a second. But we know the Bible talks about Jesus giving his life. We have the wise men giving gifts. There's the story of the woman who breaks her perfume and pours it on Jesus' feet, as an example. um We have the Proverbs 31 woman who, even though she's not necessarily giving gifts, she's purchasing supplies, creating clothes for people. She's making things for people, doing it very well. And there's probably a lot more stories that we could apply to gift giving. There's a lot of discussion in the Bible about um Christians helping other Christians, giving to the needy. So there's many examples that you can find that talk about the concept of giving gifts. And of course, as Christians, we know we're supposed to put others before ourselves, think about others and sacrifice our own desires for others. So that is kind of a similar concept to giving gifts. um
00:04:00
Bloom Wild Girls
But let's go back to that verse but from Matthew that talks about when you give to the needy, don't announce it and make a big deal out of it. And Ellery, you can answer first. What does that kind of tell us about how we should give gifts to people?
00:04:15
Bloom Wild Girls
um It means like you shouldn't be going out and telling everybody I gave this person this gift and it cost this much money and I got it for them and now I'm so much better than you because you spent less money on your kids.
00:04:31
Bloom Wild Girls
Yeah you shouldn't be bragging about it. Shouldn't be making sure people know how much we spent so that we get you know a pat on the back or anything, because then it's really about us and not about the person we're giving the gift to. And whenever we're giving a gift, it should be about the other person, not about ourselves. So I definitely think not, um, commenting on those things and being discreet about the cost and all whole of that is one good example. and And even not trying to get praise from people. like Did you like that gift? Isn't it amazing? Aren't you going to thank me? Things like that. And, and,
00:05:06
Bloom Wild Girls
not expecting something in return. We give it freely as well.
Creative Gift Ideas and Budgeting
00:05:11
Bloom Wild Girls
So that's a great verse to kind of keep our hearts in the right place as we're giving gifts. um Okay.
00:05:17
Bloom Wild Girls
So what about some other tips for good gift giving? Well, I like to think about that person's specific tastes or likes, personality, and favorite things like color and animal and pick a gift based off of that or just ask them what they would like.
00:05:33
Bloom Wild Girls
either Either way works. and And I'll only tell them what I want for Christmas if they ask me. Yes. For gifts. Cause I don't want to be like, what do you want for Christmas? And then they tell me i like, well, what I want for Christmas. Cause it kind of sounds like you really want them to give gifts. And that's kind of rude. Yeah. Gift giving should be about the other person. And so you should be thinking not about what you would like as a gift, but what they would like as a gift. Really think about who they are and the personality. I like that. um That can help you to come up with probably really unique ideas and things that they'll really love. Even if they didn't tell you a specific item, just because you've
00:06:08
Bloom Wild Girls
paid attention to who they are and what they're interested in. and I think that makes people feel loved when they receive something that clearly is related to something that they enjoy and and they realize, Oh wow, that person really thought about me. Um, I think that makes people feel good. Any other tips on gift giving? Um, no. What about you, Ellery? Any other tips on gift giving or ideas for giving gifts to people?
00:06:35
Bloom Wild Girls
Um, doing things like secret Santas or like giving gifts secretly or something. Even just doing it secretly or maybe for people you wouldn't normally give one to, a teacher or a coach or something like that can be fun. A neighbor. Yeah, kind of surprising people. And all gifts don't have to be things you buy either. You can make something. You can bake something. You can get really creative with what you're giving. can You can even give free babysitting or something. So you probably have more to give, even if you don't have a lot of money, there's probably a lot of ways you could be creative and still give something that the person would value. So I think it's good to sometimes think outside the box like that as well. And like you mentioned with the secret Santa,
00:07:20
Bloom Wild Girls
Sometimes if there's a group of people, you could ask everyone, hey, do you guys want to draw names? And then that way you're only buying one gift instead of having to buy and everybody's seven. Yeah, everybody's buying gift and everybody's giving a gift. Nobody gets left out. yeah That can be really nice. So those are some great tips for giving gifts. um I also think some ideas we've had in the past is giving themed gifts.
00:07:44
Bloom Wild Girls
where you create maybe a basket of items that will go together that the person would enjoy. Or in the past when I've gotten gifts for my niece and nephew, I'll get them a book and then a toy or object that goes along with it that they can play with. So sometimes thinking that way, oh, what's an idea, like a theme I have or one particular Type of activity they enjoy. and I can find lots of things that go along with that and it can help. So I would say to be creative. um I think we also wanted to focus on it's not always about how much you spend. I think one thing.
00:08:20
Bloom Wild Girls
ah maybe what not to do is just to focus on a dollar amount um because maybe you have a skill and you're able to make something and so it's very inexpensive but you still spent your time and energy and you're doing it because you know the person would really enjoy it or maybe we like to go thrift shopping and we found things sometimes that are brand new um that are exactly what that person would love And it doesn't really matter that it costs less money. We wouldn't want to go out and go through shopping and just buy junk so that we don't have to spend money. But if you're really, truly thinking about the person, it doesn't really matter if it costs a lot or a little. What matters is is it's something you think that would bless them and that
Gratitude and Materialism in Gift Receiving
00:09:03
Bloom Wild Girls
they'd enjoy. And we kind of keep that the focus more.
00:09:08
Bloom Wild Girls
So the other aspect we wanted to discuss when it comes to gifts is how to be um a receiver of gifts in a Christian way. So what are some things we should do and maybe things we should not do when we're receiving gifts? Or we also kind of want to talk about um how not to make that the focus of Christmas. So why don't we first talk about that, about not making gift getting the focus of Christmas? Because obviously that's a fun part, but we do it to symbolize
00:09:42
Bloom Wild Girls
work Christmas is, which is the arrival of Jesus, long waited for, um long hoped for Messiah, who was able to save us from our sins. That's why we celebrate. And the gifts are a little example. So go ahead and tell me, how do we keep the focus on not just on gifts?
00:10:01
Bloom Wild Girls
um Well, our family will do Advent coming up to Christmas and we will always read the Christmas story. And so I like it when you're flooding your mind with Jesus and the real reason so that it's not all about the gifts.
00:10:16
Bloom Wild Girls
Good. Keeping that on your mind continually throughout the month kind of helps you. You're always remembering why you're celebrating. That's that's good. Ellery, what other things can help you not to have all your focus just on the presents?
00:10:29
Bloom Wild Girls
um kind of like what addie said just not focusing on that like that's an add-on thing that's something that a lot of people look forward to but the real reason and just like reading the bible going through the christmas story doing advent reading books about him maybe reading like christian books like not all books about getting presents and santa yay all that stuff like those books are fun and do it all that stuff is fun but the real reason is Jesus.
00:11:02
Bloom Wild Girls
Yeah. So reading books that keep your mind and heart focused on um things other than presents and parties and all of that so that you you have a right mindset. And so I would say along with that is just the whole spirit of Christmas, um spending the whole month doing lots of fun activities and baking and reading and celebrating.
Maintaining Focus on Jesus During Christmas
00:11:23
Bloom Wild Girls
And then it kind of makes the whole month joyful and you're not putting all your eggs in one basket like just waiting for christmas day is the only fun thing should you're just enjoying christmas because christmas is the whole season you're enjoying the time um doing things for others like giving gifts like we've been talking about can put your mind on that instead um and we're gonna have some ideas at the end of this podcast for some specific books that will help and some specific ideas of how to
00:11:51
Bloom Wild Girls
think about others as well. But I definitely think all of those ideas you guys have are helpful. Doing Advent, remembering all month why we celebrate. We have a book that actually talks about every Christmas tradition you could probably think of from candy canes to giving cards to singing carols. And it talks about its origin, where it comes from and how it's related to Jesus. And it's really cool because then you realize that Christmas isn't about carols. We sing carols because Christmas is about Jesus. Christmas isn't about candy. We have candy because it has something to do with Jesus. And so it just keeps things in the right order.
00:12:28
Bloom Wild Girls
Yeah. Okay. So then what about how, to how do you receive a gift? Like how should you act? What are some tips for that? Well, when you receive a gift, you should always pause and talk about how you like the gift or something about it that really enjoy. and even if you don't actually like the gift, you can probably find something nice to say about it. And or if it's something you already have, you can still like, be like oh, I like that you thought of.
00:12:54
Bloom Wild Girls
getting me a gift. Maybe don't point out that you already have it. Yes, definitely. Don't make them feel bad. Sometimes we're younger and we we're like, oh yeah, we have that. And then mom was like, no. But we don't want to say that. um You don't need to let the person know. You can always take care of that later. I mean, and if you already have it, all it really shows is they got you a great gift because it's something you do like. yeah Right? So it's still a positive thing. And also, if it's something that's a little old, maybe you could keep the new one and Get rid the old one. That's true. That's a good point.
00:13:24
Bloom Wild Girls
Yeah, I definitely think how you react is important. And i I love what you're saying about taking time to pause and really reflect on the gift and make comments about it to the person, not just rushing off to something else. Addie has a friend named Olive whose birthday party she's been to over the years. And she's always mentioned to me how she loves the way Olive receives her gifts because she's very genuine. She's very patient and slow about looking at it, thanking the person, saying something specific about the item. And it it really shows her appreciation for it. And so I think that showing appreciation is a really great way to be a gift receiver. Okay, what about what are some other things maybe we shouldn't do or should do when we're getting gifts?
00:14:13
Bloom Wild Girls
Well, um you shouldn't just be like, oh, I don't like this. Or you shouldn't just be like, oh, thanks, and go to the next one. And then just like. For sure. No one feels like you actually. What about looking around, even if you don't say anything out loud, and kind of comparing how many things someone else got?
00:14:30
Bloom Wild Girls
Or you hear that your friend got something and it's really expensive or better than what you got. and The Bible talks about you know being content. being thankful so you definitely don't want to be comparing to others what they got everyone's kind of in different circumstances so we don't want to be jealous or coveting that would be sense we want to make sure we're having a heart of gratitude for what we have not comparing not wishing we've gotten more what about this question what if there's something you really wanted and your your parents didn't get it and you're feeling a little disappointed
00:15:04
Bloom Wild Girls
Um, don't, like, mention it or be like, oh, why didn't you give me this gift or something? Because maybe they couldn't afford it or they couldn't find it or they maybe were going to give it to you later for something else, like a birthday or maybe next year or they didn't think you were old enough for it or some other the reason. So you should just always not mention anything about it and maybe eventually you'll get it or maybe you just God thinks you don't need it.
00:15:27
Bloom Wild Girls
That's good, too, right? God's in control of that. Yes, Ellery? And... You could also just maybe put it on your Christmas list again and hope for yeah next year or put it on your birthday list or something like that. But then if you just, like, don't really think it matters anymore after Christmas or something, you could just...
00:15:48
Bloom Wild Girls
Which is kind of funny to think about how quickly you might forget about it, which might put in perspective. You're like, I feel like I wanted something couple days ago. How many do you how many gifts do you think you can even remember from the past years that you've gotten? do you think you'd be able to remember a lot of them? or Probably most of them. Probably not much of the like the small things we get in our stocking. Maybe more of the bigger things. Some of the big ones, maybe. i can remember, but and not a lot. I can't even remember everything I've given you guys over the years. Yeah. sometimes that that perspective can be helpful to you. Like, this is nice, it's fun, but probably that thing is going to, I'm going to grow out of it or someday it will get passed down or be donated. And so to not put so much hope into getting one specific thing and just, yeah, having gratitude that you're able to get to get gifts. um Okay. Any other thoughts on that before we move on and and wrap up with some recommendations? think that was it.
00:16:45
Bloom Wild Girls
Okay. So We want you to remember why we give gifts. We want you to think about how you're giving your
Engaging Children in the Spirit of Christmas
00:16:54
Bloom Wild Girls
gifts. We want to be thinking about how we receive our gifts and just be applying what scripture says about how we are to live as Christians to this time of year. um Oh, before we give our recommendations, I was going to say you mentioned Advent and how as a family we do Advent. I do a personal Advent. yeah I'm the mom. What about you as a kid? What could kids do this time of year to keep
00:17:17
Bloom Wild Girls
daily keep their hearts and minds focused on Jesus, maybe like an Advent sort of activity. Any ideas for them? Well, one thing is that aren't really related to Advent or stuff like that, but I like to sometimes pick a specific person in the family and just try and be a blessing to them that day or help them when they need something or maybe make their bed for them of them if they forgot or set out their pajamas and pull on their covers in the evening or something like that.
00:17:45
Bloom Wild Girls
Or just pick a fruit of the spirit to work on every day. Or something like that leading up to Christmas. So you could give yourself like in your own personal Advent challenge or encouragement. We were talking about paper chains, Christmas paper chains that you sometimes make and rip off a chain each day as it gets closer to Christmas and how you could write a fruit of spirit on each one or you could write a little note to yourself to do something for someone in the family. an Advent verse. Or an Advent verse or you could just pick something. I'm going to read through this chapter of the Bible this month. Something that you're focused on yourself. So you don't, it's great to do stuff with your family, but it's also really cool to do it for yourself and um have, keep Advent in your own heart. Okay. So I think we're going to wrap up with some recommendations to help us with this. We're going to give a few book recommendations and then some recommendations for giving or serving. So Adi, you give the first book recommendation.
00:18:39
Bloom Wild Girls
Christmas in My Heart is um a nice collection of little short Christmas stories written by many different authors. And they're really fun stories with a Christmas spirit about giving to the needy or helping. Some focus on Jesus more than others. And they're very good. They have stories like Gifts of the Magi or Star Across the chat Tracks or Candle in the Forest. And they're really good, beautiful yeah stories. Yes, they are. And they definitely will keep your mind and heart on what the real meaning is.
00:19:07
Bloom Wild Girls
the real joys of Christmas and it they're fun and they're also meaningful um I would let's see what would I recommend hmm I'm not sure I gotta think for a minute Ellery what would you recommend you had a couple picture books the legend of the Christmas tree the legend of the candy cane um the legend of the Christmas stocking and there was one more legend book and some books that will help you kind of keep your mind on the right perspective could be holly and ivy an orange for frankie um the christmas miracle jonathan toomey there were a few others and i'm not going remember them all right now but if you can find some good quality older books that focus on the real meaning of christmas it's going to be
00:19:58
Bloom Wild Girls
helpful for you to keep your mind and heart on the right thing. Also, Louisa May Alcott has some great stories and a lot of them about are about serving others and family and, and things like that. So there are so many good ones out there that can just keep, keep your heart focused on what matters. Okay. And then we were also going to encourage you with some ways of giving to others. So not just buying gifts for friends and family, but other people. So things we've done in the past is we have gone to a home for the elderly and and sang hymns or Christmas songs with them. We're doing that again this year. We bring cards for them as well. We have made bags for homeless people and have them in our cars to hand out with encouragement, food, supplies, things like that. And then this year we found a new one that we wanted to tell everyone about. Oh, we also sometimes will use World Vision. You can give, it's actually kind of funny because you can give Bibles or trees, but you could also give like a duck.
00:20:57
Bloom Wild Girls
Yeah. Or a goat. And then you'll usually, they give you like an ornament that they need. Yeah. And it's kind of fun and you can pray for them. um But there's a new one we found this year called the Angel Card Project. It's really special. You can sign up and they'll just send you a list of, it's about a hundred pages and it has names of people. It'll have their name, their age, whether they're a boy or a girl, man or woman, and it will have their address and it will have kind of what they're going through right now. Maybe they're lonely, lost a job.
00:21:26
Bloom Wild Girls
sick, something, some tragedy has happened recently, and you can make a Christmas card for them, draw a picture and mail it to their house and they will get it for Christmas. And so we've been making some while we listen to Christmas stories at home. And it's been a fun way to be creative and just do something so simple, but that will be a huge blessing to other people. And it doesn't really take much. it just takes a little creativity and a little bit of time and to stamp.
00:21:54
Bloom Wild Girls
Yeah. Yeah. so those are some of our tips. Any other last minute book recommendations or tips that you guys have? um Well, a book is The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree. Oh, good one. Thank you for remembering that one. stuff like There's so many books. There are so many books. We have quite Jan Bratt books are really good too. Jan Bratt books are fun. and The art is the probably the best part about them. Yeah. Yes. Those are great. So um there's the Appalachian Christmas. Yes. That's a good one that we read recently. So there's just a plethora.
00:22:33
Bloom Wild Girls
And we hope that you find some to enjoy this Christmas.
Conclusion and Holiday Wishes
00:22:37
Bloom Wild Girls
And we're wishing you a Merry Christmas too. We won't see you probably until the new year, but we have some fun things planned, including some interviews. So we're excited to share those with you.
00:22:48
Bloom Wild Girls
Bye. Bye.