We need Christmas gift ideas. Christmas gift ideas change with time. It is important to be practical and sensitive at the same time.

It is hard to believe, but Christmas is here. I am seeing neighbors put on Christmas lights. The Christmas ornaments are being put on trees, friends are posting on social media who their secret Santa will be, the stocking stuffers, Christmas gift ideas, and personalized Christmas ornaments.

What are Advent and Christmas? What is the Christmas Star? Is it always about only Christmas presents and Christmas gift ideas, or also about His Presence?

Melissa from Heavenly Imperfections talks about Christmas gift ideas, Christmas cards, traditions, stocking stuffer ideas, women’s empowerment, and family.

Hi Melissa, I want to know a little about you and what is heavenly imperfections all about?

Hey Jerry, thank you for this opportunity to introduce myself to your audience!  I am Melissa, I live in the North East with my family- My husband of six years and our 2 little loves, with a 3rd on the way.  As a full-time stay-at-home mama, we have epic bubble dance parties, homeschool, and look for joy in all of life’s moments.

I find myself trying to build our home on Christian values while walking through life and everything that comes our way.  Motherhood really impacted my life and my faith, and through that journey, I created Heavenly Imperfections.  Born out of the idea that we are all at different points in our walks with Jesus, and on our motherhood journeys.  I wanted to create a space where we could all check-in at any point.  If you are searching for ways to grow your child’s faith, distract them with crafts for a few minutes, or see some newborn sleep solutions…all things, in a community of like-minded women.

Talk to me about what Christmas is all about and why it is important to have traditions?

In our home, we keep Christmas Christ-centered and we try to teach our kids about the spirit of giving.  We take time to talk about the story of Christmas, build nativity scenes and really find ways to put our faith into action around the holiday season.  Cultivating family time is also really important to us, so we do a lot of holiday crafts (advent rings, gingerbread houses,  making Christmas cards, popcorn strings, etc.) and we spend time together away from distractions (tree shopping, decorating, hanging stockings, volunteering, etc.).

Traditions are super important!  Those are the moments and the memories that our children will carry with them through their lives and into their own families.  Growing up in my home, we didn’t have any traditions, nothing that was done consistently, and I knew when I had a family, I wanted to create those memories.  So in our home, we have carried over some of my husband’s traditions, and we have created some of our very own.

When it comes to creating traditions, it is important to think about what you want to convey, how you want to convey it, and why.  Then brainstorm some in-action ideas from there, and see what sticks.  Not every tradition is right for every family.  Find what you enjoy and stick with it.  

Let us talk about Christmas gift ideas. Walk me through some of the gifts for mom, dad, brother, and sister and for our spouses?

Christmas gifts are actually another great way to start a tradition!  We have a large group of families and friends that we give gifts to, and making handmade gifts has been a great tradition.  The kids are involved and everyone seems to appreciate the thoughtfulness.  This year we are going to make personalized family establishment ornaments.

When it comes to gift-giving, I believe it is important to be thoughtful.  Thinking about what the person would like, or what they may need, decoding their love language, and then adding a bit of yourself into the mix.  The last two years have really opened up the possibilities of what we think about gifting.  With more people being at home, we can do more necessities or home comforts, and with things reopening, we can think about giving experiences. 

Should we call our family and say let’s give gifts only for the kids and for a certain dollar amount?

Christmas isn’t about over-stretching ourselves or our family’s finances.  It is important to set healthy boundaries and limits while respecting our own comfort zones. 

As I mentioned before, we have a large group that we give gifts to during the holiday, and as a family, we came together a few years ago and decided that we would just give gifts to the kids.  For siblings that are single or married without kids, we of course give differently, but as a group, we decided this was best.

These conversations aren’t always the easiest to have, but they are important.  A tip I have found helpful is to create a Christmas list for gifts for my kids and send it as ideas to my family members.  This helps them see the price points I am hoping to stay within and gives them ideas for gifts that My husband and I have already approved.  Many of them return the favor. 

Why are cards such an important part of Christmas? What are some of the things we can write to encourage people?

As a family, when we receive Christmas cards, we place them near our tree and we keep them up into the New Year.  Talking about the people who sent them, and who they are to us.  In our online world, we all post-holiday greetings, but that isn’t personalized and it doesn’t make viewers feel special.  Is it easier?  Sometimes, absolutely!  But a card allows you to connect and gives people something to hold onto, it is tangible.  It means someone took a moment to really think about you.

The greatest part about Christmas cards is that you get to decide what you write!  Even on the mass electronic photo cards, you pick your greeting.  You can have your kids help you fill them out, use the opportunity to add Christ into someone’s season or reach someone who needs encouragement.

Writing from the heart is most important, but we can also take a moment to wrap someone in prayer or spread an encouraging scripture.  Sometimes reminding someone that they are in our hearts this season, that goes a long way. Using a card to tell them that you are thinking of them and that you are wishing them well, and then they have it to hold when they may need it most.

What is the big no no’s of Christmas gifts?

Personally, I don’t really have any no-no’s, just basic guidelines.  It is important to always consider appropriateness.  Sometimes humor doesn’t mesh, love languages are opposite, or things are too extravagant for that relationship.  My rule of thumb is, if I have to question it or explain it, then it isn’t the gift I should be giving.  

What are some of the ways we can de-stress during the holidays?

Personally, I always remind myself to take a break before I break.  If it is a quick 5-minute self-care routine, sitting in quiet, reading my bible, or sipping hot cider.  Small moments can make a big difference, especially in a season full of commitments and busy moments.

When a quick 5-minute break just won’t do it, here are a few helpful de-stressors I have found over the years:

-If you are having a large gathering, take people up on their offers to bring items and lend a hand.  

-Let go of expectations and set healthy boundaries.  

-Pick things that are most important to your family and focus your time and energy on those.

-Make sure you are getting enough sleep and taking care of your needs.  An old but true saying is, “you can not pour from an empty cup”.

Talk to me about what woman empowerment means to you?

To me, women’s empowerment can mean a lot of things, but where all of this starts is really promoting every woman’s self-worth.  Recognizing that we are all in this sisterhood together.  When we stop telling each other what is better and instead lock arms against the waves, that is where things really start to change.

As a society, we have devalued the worth of a woman.  

If she goes to work and leaves her kids in care, how dare she.  If she quits her job to “just stay home all day” with the kids, how dare she?! A woman who climbs the ladder at work- she must be dating someone.  But a woman who stays in her position for 2 years, she has no drive…..As a mom struggles and screams at her kids to leave the park, we think of “bad parenting” instead of, “wow, she is having a hard day.”

As women, we even exchange these thoughts amongst ourselves.  We perpetuate the cycles of devaluing ourselves, and when we can get past that, lifting each other up instead, that is when things truly change.

To me, female empowerment is about embracing our sisterhood and building each other up.  Congratulating each other, and meaning it.  Learning from each other without judgment.  

That is when we help build each other up in the workplace, in corporate America.  When we help each other get access to the education and health care that we need.  This is how we build our self-worth and learn to trust ourselves and ask for opportunities to make the choices that are best for us.

I come to your place as a stranger and ask for a meal during the holidays. What will you make for me and why? I eat anything.

This is a really great question!  

During the holidays, we always have a smorgasbord of things throughout the day.  Lots of finger foods and then the main meal.  We haven’t fallen into a meal of tradition, so it would be anything!  But one thing I can guarantee is that we would have plenty of food for you and cake.  There is cake every Christmas.   

My husband is from Angola, and one of the traditions he carries with him is that we have Cake every Christmas.  We actually call it a birthday cake for Jesus in our house.  So I hope you like red velvet with buttercream frosting, that is our cake of choice.  But I also hope you would come with an empty belly and room for a to-go container, because food really is love in our home, and there would be plenty to share.

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