The late Carrie Fisher, who reportedly kept her Christmas tree up all year round, once said, “I don't think Christmas is necessarily about things. It's about being good to one another.  It’s about the Christian ethic.  It’s about kindness.” 

The Grinch famously discovered, “Maybe Christmas doesn’t come from a store.  Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.”

In the spirit of moving away from the consumerism of Christmas (we all want to be a bit more environmentally friendly and budget-conscious, right?) here are some non-monetary gifts that we can give one another, at Christmas and all year long:

Give the gift of a greeting

Greet one another. (2 Corinthians 13:12)  Say good morning to the receptionist, greet the cashier, or call up a friend. A pleasant greeting can make someone’s day.

Give the gift of service

Serve one another humbly in love. (Galatians 5:13) Volunteer to serve at a community Christmas dinner, ring the bells at a kettle, or shovel snow for your neighbour.  

Give the gift of encouragement

Encourage one another and build each other up. (1 Thessalonians 5:11) Give your co-worker a compliment, leave a positive review on a website, or share with a manager if you’re received exceptional service.  Say “great job” or “you’re amazing” or “I’m so proud of you.” The words we speak can be life-giving.

Give the gift of hospitality

Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling (1 Peter 4:9) Invite a friend over for dinner or offer your spare bedroom to family travelling from out of town.  We can cheerfully share our home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.  

Give the gift of prayer

Pray for one another (James 5:16) Lift the needs of others up in prayer, giving thanks to God for their presence in your life. We can intercede on behalf of our family and friends.

Give the gift of love

Love one another. (1 John 4:7)  Be patient and kind to those you interact with.  As God has loved us, so we should love one another.