This past weekend has kept me quite busy. I have taken a new approach to buying Christmas gifts this year. The Michigan economy has really hit our family like gang busters. This past year has certainly been different for us. My husband has been unemployed this year and we, like many people in Michigan have had to cut back. I titled this post, "In Everything Give Thanks", and it is so true. We have had to make changes in our lifestyle, but we still have many blessings to be thankful for. God has a plan for us, and though I may not be happy about our current circumstances I will give Him thanks always. Well you may be asking what is my "NEW APPROACH", to gift buying. We'll I am just not buying many gifts this year. I am gifting people with my services rather than purchasing material items. Last week I gave my mother and mother in Law their Christmas gifts. I decorated their trees and mantels for them. I love decorating for Christmas and they both enjoyed having me do this for them. This is my mom's mantel that I decorated.
I used traditional colors, red and gold. I love to add lots of white lights and stands of beads swagged in from of the mantel. The red ribbon had a wonderful gold Fleur-De-Le design with a gold wire edge. I added gold feathered picks that were covered with glitter and added lots of BLING.
I combined two different types of artificial roping. A traditional roping along with a long needle pine roping with pine cones. Some beautiful red berries were added for color.
The meaning of Christmas never changes....It is always the same. Our Savior came to earth as a baby for our salvation. This I will always give thanks for.
Our family's situation may be different this year, but with a little bit of creativity, regarding gift giving everything will work out. CHRISTmas isn't about the material presents, it's about the present that was sent to earth from above.
" Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever"
1 Chronicle 16:34
20 comments:
I love the thought of gifting yourself and it has to be a wonderful gift to receive. Thanks for the thoughtful idea.
Beth~♥
I forgot to say how absolutely gorgeous the mantle turned out!
Wow, it's lovely!
that is so elegant! Greetings from another MI blogger:)
Your mantle is absolutely gorgeous, just like your heart. I'm praying for your family today. Your words are such a beautiful offering to the Lord who delights greatly in you! Christmas blessings to you and your family!
How beautiful! What a blessing you are to your family. Over the years the gifts that I have received from someone's heart are those that I have treasured the most.
I always tell my children "It says in the bible that when the wise men came to visit Jesus and his family they were presented with 3 gifts. If three is enough for the king of kings, then three is more than enough for our family." :)
So beautiful! Can't wait to come back and read more of your blog!
Love your "Give Thanks" entertwined in your pretty Christmas decorations! :-)
I am sifting through thoughts of how to change gift giving myself and it is wonderful to hear how others do it rather than just striking out into the unknown blindly. Thank you for sharing! Kelly
p.s. I would love to hear your ideas of other "gifts of yourself" that you are giving. Kelly
Your garland is BEAUTIFUL! And, I LOVE your sign!!!
What a beautiful post and beautiful mantels! We are in much different situation as well this year. I am making gifts for many of my family members. Have a wonderful Christmas!
-Kim
www.foreverwherever.com
(Ignore the gecko photo - my son uses this account!)
Hi! I came over from Nesting Place. I love your post. Merry Christmas!
Sherry, I found your blog from Karen's Bunny Burrow Blog. I live in Michigan too, Shelby Twp., WE'RE neighbors!!
Merry CHRISTmas!
Blessings,
Sher
Beautiful in so many ways! Love the garland and the idea for gifts. What a wonderful Christmas gift!
Annie
gorgeous ribbons! love the beads too!
Okay, now I really need to redo my mantle garland! Yours is gorgeous!
This was a great post- Thank you for sharing! Our little community has been hit very hard also and I so feel for those who have lost jobs- saying a prayer for your family!
blessings
mary
What a great post, and those heartful gifts like the one's you're giving are so much more meaningful. We've had to scale back too-I'm so glad God doesn't change even when our circumstances do!
What a wonderful post. Your decorating is just beautiful. We, too, suffered the effects of the MI economy for several years. We relocated a little of 2 years ago once our youngest graduated high school. Have a blessed Christmas!
Lovely!
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