3 Memorable Gifts to Give Your Husband This Christmas

By Lori Ferguson on Monday, December 23, 2013

3 Memorable Gifts to Give Your Husband This Christmas

I married a Christmas Eve baby so every year it’s a juggle to make sure my husband feels like the most important man in the world while honoring the Man for whom the holiday was originally created.

Every year, on the eve of my husband’s birthday, I get a little nervous.  Is my gift nice enough?  Will it feel special enough?  Will it convey how much his love means to me.

And almost as quickly as this flood of questions come to mind, the answers come to sooth my nerves and reassure my heart.

It doesn’t matter the present because the greatest gifts I can give cannot be purchased.

What he desires most on this day is my love, adoration and respect.  Not any different from any other day, but I become acutely aware of this every Christmas Eve.

So I pose this question to you: What can you give your husband this Christmas that cannot be purchased in a store or cooked on a stove but will mean the world to him? 

Whatever that is, whatever comes to mind first, do exactly that.  And if you drew a blank, not to worry, I trust you’ll find inspiration in today’s post by Lori Ferguson.

Until tomorrow…make it a great day!

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I imagine you’re feeling a bit busy right now. A bit stretched. Somewhat frazzled, perhaps? How’s your “to-do” list? Got all your gifts purchased?

What are you giving your husband?

Socks? Underwear? A log splitter? 

Many times the actual physical gifts don’t matter.

They’re enjoyed. Or not.

The gifts are consumed. Or not.

Some gifts are returned.

A few are re-gifted.

Other gifts are put on the closet shelf and never see the light of day again.

What about gifts which require no money yet are memorable?

Around our home we’ve been clearing out the extra stuff. I can tell you that after 30 years together as husband and wife there’s a lot of stuff which isn’t being used! The items we possess haven’t made our life better or richer, it’s been the moments we’ve spent together that have shaped our life. Those moments pass by quickly… but they’re the real gifts. Moments into memories.

Are your moments with your husband creating positive memories?

Good memories have no monetary value, yet they’re the precious coin that you will leave as a legacy of love to all those who are a part of your life. They’re the gifts that last and can be built upon as you create a meaningful life. 

Below are 3 suggestions for gifts which cost nothing (except some self-control).

This holiday season can be filled with so many expectations, an endless list of meeting needs, and very little time to catch our breath. The busyness may lead to overlooking these gifts…

However, in view of years to come, these gifts will make an impact because they have everything to do with creating a peace filled atmosphere.

3 gifts which cost nothing and are fully under your control:

Smile without restraint.

It’s been said it takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile – so conserve your energy and smile.  Smiling is an action. You can deliberately choose to smile. No hesitation, no qualification, no requirement, just try it with a smile and see the difference it makes when interacting with the guy you love.

Question without criticizing.

You’re not going to be able to agree on everything during this festive season. Two people will have a difference of opinion. Discussion is good, and asking good questions keeps the dialogue positive. Hone your questions. Keep the questions respectful because criticism hurts. Have you heard of the idea “seek first to understand”?  That’s what it’s all about. Begin by asking, “Help me understand…”

Respond without expectation.

Give your husband the gift of kindness – regardless. C.S. Lewis said it this way, “Love is not affectionate feeling, but a steady wish for the loved person’s ultimate good as far as it can be attained.” Be kind to your husband. Kindness in action is one gift which sets the stage for positive interactions, and makes cherished memories.

Can you think of other gifts – priceless gifts – you could give your husband this Christmas?

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P.S. Beginning tomorrow, Christmas Day, I’m launching an extraordinary series to encourage your marriage every remaining day of 2013 and to into the first days of 2014.  Please join me here first thing tomorrow morning and every morning for the next two weeks.  I promise you’ll be happy you did!

Lori Ferguson is a writer with a passion to encourage. She’s a Christ follower, wife of 30 years, and mom to grown kids. You can find her online at EncourageYourSpouse.com where she blogs somewhat regularly about encouragement in marriage. Lori and her husband work with couples who lead - in business, ministry & non-profit. Check out LeadershipCouples.com for more information.

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Please note: I reserve the right to delete comments that are snarky, offensive, or off-topic. If in doubt, read My Comment Policy
  • Mary Patten

    I’ve had such a hard time with getting in the spirit of Christmas and I’m afraid I’ve been a Scrooge. Thank you for the reminder that you can give in actions. I felt my ‘Scroogness’ leave me when I read this. Thank you!

    • http://www.happywivesclub.com/ Fawn @ Happy Wives Club

      Yeah!! So happy to hear that, Mary. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!

  • http://longingsend.com/ sheila @ LongingsEnd.com

    Thanks, Fay, and Merry Christmas to you and your hubby. This gift giving post was spot on! Looking forward to the new series so I’ll be back. Blessings…

    • http://www.happywivesclub.com/ Fawn @ Happy Wives Club

      So happy you’ll join me here for the 12 Gifts of Marriage series beginning tomorrow, Sheila. The first thing I did this morning was write the post for the morning. Looking forward to sharing it.

  • Sara

    “seek first to understand” …I never meant to be a nagger, every purchase I make for my family or friends causes debates…I’m going to try the above…thanks!

    • http://www.happywivesclub.com/ Fawn @ Happy Wives Club

      That’s a great one, Sara. So happy this helped. I always love Lori’s posts.

  • Jessica Ann Evans

    I wrote down the things I love about him and us, cut them out and placed in a frame. Some of the things I wrote: I love the lines around your eyes when you smile, Your voice calms me, the sweet and caring look in your eyes when you look at me makes me feel wonderful….

    • http://www.happywivesclub.com/ Fawn @ Happy Wives Club

      This just made me smile. I can’t even imagine how wonderful it made him feel.

  • Jill Smith

    My husband is also a December birthday and money is always tight. Last year my 3 kids and I gave him a box of love. When he opened it and noticed it was empty we all spoke into the box and shared with him all of the things we love about him; everything from his sense of humor, how hard he works to provide for our family , to my 9 year old sharing that he loves playing football and catch with him. By his reaction, as well as the tears in all of our eyes, this was the most meaningful gift we could give to him.

    • http://www.happywivesclub.com/ Fawn @ Happy Wives Club

      Tears just welled up in my eyes I can only imagine what this must have felt like for your husband and children. Pure beauty.

  • Nicole

    I think a bit of the reins & respect without question would be big on what I need to do. Thanks for this post and this great reminder!

    Nicole at WorkingKansasHomemaker.com

    • http://www.happywivesclub.com/ Fawn @ Happy Wives Club

      Thanks for sharing, Nicole!

  • anonymous

    This year, for the first time in 29 yrs., I bought my husband a gift with money I earned. I have been a stay at home mom and home educator to seven children. I now have a very part time job that I do at home while I homeschool the final two teenaged girls.

    • http://www.happywivesclub.com/ Fawn @ Happy Wives Club

      That’s awesome. I have to imagine he was incredibly grateful.

      • anonymous

        Hard to say. He’s not very demonstrative, but he has worn it, already.

  • Susanne

    I know I’m late on the bandwagon but I just want to say I’m giving my hubby over the next year the gift of really pausing and paying attention when he is talking to me. So many times I’ve got so much on my plate and just keep on “doing” while he’s talking to me. Thanks for the inspiration.

    • http://www.happywivesclub.com/ Fawn @ Happy Wives Club

      Oh, that’s a great gift Susanne! When i was first married, I never realized I didn’t do that very well. It took me several years (Keith would say 10 :) ) before I stopped working when he walked into my office. Before I would just keep working and saying, “Uh huh,” when he was talking. It wasn’t intentional. I loved him much more than my work. I’d just trained myself to separate work from life. And then I realized, if I keep doing that, my husband might come to the conclusion that my work means more to me than him and that is DEFINITELY not the case. It was a learning curve for sure. But now, when he walks through the door, it’s like Moses parting the red sea…time stands still. :)

  • cool

    lame

  • http://www.trueagape.com/ Cassie

    These are great gifts! I learned early on my husband is hard to shop for. Instead of stressing about finding something or getting my feelings hurt if he wants to return it I know either make him a little something or provide an experience instead. That has worked out really well for us!

    • http://www.happywivesclub.com/ Fawn @ Happy Wives Club

      Awesome! Thanks, Cassie.

  • http://www.jerrystumpf.com/ Jerry Stumpf

    Fawn,

    As a husband, you are on target that we want respect and admiration from our wife.

    Thoughtful gifts are nice but well written love notes on the mirror with erasable marker just for me are straight to my heart. A thoughtful text when I am not expecting it of when I need a lift also means a lot.

    This year make a list off 20 reasons you married him and would do it all over again! What does your husband “DO” (think action or work related for your family) to create a better home or family environment.

    Just please keep telling your fans that extra “love” does not always equal respect to a husband. Ask your husband what he wants to touch his inner emotional “tuning fork”. Then notice that gushy feelings of sentimentality will most likely not be on his list. He is not you physically or emotionally.

    Yes he wants to know that you love him, however, what he NEEDS is your focused devotion that he is the greatest person on planet earth to you (psst Jesus resides in heaven).

    Is he your hero? Tell him! As often as you like to be told “I Love You!” by your husband and others is how often he wants to hear he is your hero.

    If you are looking at my insight in a bit of an odd fashion, take this to him and get his honest reflection to my words. You may be shocked!

    Bless your husband as he wants to be blessed this year. Give him a coupon book with ones that really strike his heart and soul. By the way I shot a blast across my readers bow about what to give their wive this year. Let me know your reaction to my posts

    Here are some very personalized gifts, you can give your wife. http://wp.me/p50Bqq-4j

    10 Creative “Gifts” that cost little or no money for your bride http://wp.me/p50Bqq-3X

    Your romance & Marriage Communication coach — Jerry Stumpf

    • http://www.happywivesclub.com/ Fawn @ Happy Wives Club

      Very cool. Thanks, Jerry!