The Best Gift You Can Give Your Spouse

​It’s officially Christmas time!
 
The stomach ache from too many sweets at Thanksgiving has past (now, to watch out for all the Christmas goodies), we’ve enjoyed our first (and second, and third, and fourth) snow of the season (at least where we live), our kids have made their Christmas count-down chain, our neighborhood is lit by colorful lights at night, the tree is up, and stockings are on the wall – so by all accounts, the Christmas season has officially begun.
 
It’s an amazing time of year and the energy of the season is nearly palatable. Black Friday turned into Cyber Monday and now we’re on to crunch time as far as gifts are concerned. Malls are buzzing and my inbox has never been so full of Amazon deal emails!  With just about two weeks until all those presents under the tree are unwrapped, it’s time to start thinking about that special someone.
 
What are your plans for your spouse this Christmas? What will your spouse unwrap from you on Christmas morning? What do you hope to unwrap?
 
With all the chatter the season brings about gift giving and receiving, it might not be a bad idea to take a brief “time out,” and consider the best gift you could possibly give your spouse.
 
What is that gift you ask? Well, let me share a story that may be familiar to you. It’s called “The Gift of the Magi,” written by William Sydney Porter and originally published in The New York Sunday World in 1905.

It’s a short story about Jim and Della, a young couple who were poor by nearly every measure, but rich in their love. It’s Christmas Eve and poor Della has only $1.87 with which to buy her husband a Christmas gift.  As she considers what she could possibly give him, she thinks of the one possession Jim owns that he takes great pride in – a gold watch that had been passed down from his grandfather, to his father, and now to him. Della thinks how nice it would be to give Jim an expensive watch chain to go with this prized possession. The only problem is that the chain costs $21. Desperate to find the perfect gift, Della sells her beautiful long hair to a hair dresser for $20 in order to obtain the means to purchase the chain. As she waits for Jim to arrive home that night Della has a prayer in her heart that he will still think she’s pretty. When Jim finally arrives home, Della explains that she sold her hair to pay for his gift. Jim then presents her with a gift – an collection of expensive combs for her hair, now nearly useless. Unfazed, Della eagerly presents Jim with the new watch chain, to which Jim replies that he sold his watch to purchase her gift. In the end, even though both Jim and Della are left with gifts neither can use, they are blessed with the priceless gift of their love.

It’s a touching story and a great reminder of the best gift we can possibly give our spouse – our love. 
 
One of the wonderful things about the gift of love is that it is a gift we all can give – regardless of our means or circumstances. In fact, it’s a gift you can’t afford to not give. 
 
So how can you give the gift of love to your spouse? Here are some simple ideas for starters:

• Write him or her a note expressing your love and appreciation.
• Cuddle up next to him or her on the couch for a nice evening at home with hot chocolate.
• Make his/her favorite meal/dessert.
• Find some simple way to serve your spouse (do the dishes, iron his shirt, clean her car).
• Give him/her a nice long massage.
• Leave him/her a short love note on the bathroom mirror.
• Plan a fun date night - something to get your adrenaline pumping would be ideal. 
• Pay her a sincere compliment. 
• Take him on a drive to see Christmas lights, and make sure and hold his hand. 

 
These ideas may work for you, or you may want to find your own unique way to give your spouse the gift of love. Whatever the case may be, don’t let this Christmas season pass you by without your spouse knowing how you feel about them. Amid all the hustle and bustle the season brings, remember to share the gift of your love with your spouse!

Photo Credit: Caitlinn Mahar-Daniels

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You may also enjoy these articles about how to live the five love languages: Words of Affirmation; Acts of Service; Receiving Gifts; Physical Touch; or Quality Time