Thanks to the brightly flashing Santa sign at our local Wal-Mart, I now know that Christmas is only 20-something days away...thanks. The list of things to-do before that time, whether they be "want to", "have to" or "need to"- feels suffocating at times. In truth, there really is only one task that puts me in a cold sweat and it's probably not what you think - shopping for my husband.
Don't get me wrong, he isn't hard to please or picky and is always gracious no matter what I get him, big or small, but with the double whammy of his birthday on December 24th and Christmas the 25th the pressure is on. Eric does so much for us. He works hard, is diligent & faithful, and puts his family first always. I want him to know how much he is appreciated and a great gift has always seemed the answer. A few years ago, I saw an article from The Dating Divas on Pinterest and thought about a new approach.
The whole idea is basically a spin on the 12 days of Christmas. Every day, you give your hubs a small, wrapped gift to correspond with the day. For example, two pairs of socks on the second day, $7.00 for coffee on day seven or a CD with 12 songs on it for day twelve. The gifts don't have to be expensive or extravagant, but I can tell you the thoughtfulness and excitement of a getting a small token of love tucked into his lunch pail each morning was evident. I created little stickers for each day and printed them beforehand so it was easy to stay organized and remember what each gift was. By day 5, it would be impossible to keep up if I hadn't been organized and pre-purchased all the items. Depending on your Christmas traditions & whether you open gifts Christmas Day or Christmas Eve, you will want to start your 12 Days of Christmas either December 12th or December 13th. There really is no wrong way to do it.
Another idea I have seen floating around that I really like, but haven't had the resources or extra energy to put together, is a gift called The 12 Dates of Christmas. You basically pre-plan 12 months (1 year) of dates for you and your sweetheart and put it under the tree or in his stocking on Christmas morning. Again, these dates don't have to be extravagant, but should be pre-planned and pre-purchased. Ideas could be coffee and grocery shopping without kids, a matinee movie date, Redbox movies and popcorn after the kids go to bed, a few hours at the shooting range or dinner at your favorite restaurant. Think of things he likes to do, but you might not normally be up for. It is his gift after all. It's a great idea to make a little coupon book and attach gift cards for each date or fill 12 separate, sealed envelopes with the details of the planned date and some cash/gift cards. That way, each month is a surprise and he can't look ahead :)
So yes, I still want to find the perfect gift but I am realizing more often than not that all my hubby really wants is a wife who is invested in him and a little effort on my part shows him more about my love for him than anything I can buy at a store.
Originally published over at Douglas County Moms
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