Top Ten: Love Language of Gifts
Last week I began to write about Gary Chapman’s five Love Languages. My focus this week is on the importance of Gifts, another of the languages. I have the CD and I find it easy to listen to in the car–it is just a bit here and there but I find that it gives me more time to take it all in and then apply it. I process best tiny bits at a time.
I have one daughter that loves to “get things”. It doesn’t really matter what it is but the fact that I’m giving her something is a thrill. The bigger the bow–the better it MUST be. The best thing in the world for her is if I find something that goes will one of her “collections”–it completely validates how she feels about her things. For my daughter it is about the love. I am not a “collector” kind of person and she realizes how hard it is for me to add more stuff–she knows that me giving her a stuffed lizard to “make the family complete” may drive me crazy so she will thank me to the moon and back and promise that they will stay together. She understands that it isn’t “my thing” but I still do it. She understands that I sacrifice my own sense of order so that she will find JOY. She feels loved. (and that is what I’m going for :)
I do work hard to keep the amount of stuff in check. I also do not have a million dollars to spend on all the kids–so I don’t. I don’t need to. To make kids who respond to this love language feel that they matter and are cared for is really pretty simple–it just needs to be a “plan ahead” as I like to call it.
A plan ahead is anything that takes me more than 24 hours to pull off.
These are my top ten “gifts” to give to my kids:
- A note in their lunch box with a chocolate kiss.
- Wrapping a plain ol’ cookie in a nice box with a bow.
- Stopping off for ice cream or getting one of those single serve ones at the grocery store! (always a huge hit)
- Doing one of their chores for them so they can have extra biking time.
- Buy ribbon that is special to just that child–wrap new everyday items with that ribbon–like a toothpaste flavor that they like, or a special retro bottle of Fanta orange (it is so adorable–I bought it for her stocking! she will upcycle it into a zillion things!!!) (and yes, I’m planning ahead for Christmas)
- Make a book for them–a simple 4 page book that tells why they are loved.
- Frame a picture for them
- Start a “red plate” tradition. or any other plate–when I was growing up the person who had the CHIPPED plate was special.
- Recycle–turn and old t-shirt into a pillow or a purse. Be creative.
- The best gift I think I have ever given my daughter was a Pandora bracelet. I add maybe one bead a year. I don’t buy the most expensive beads but ones that are very meaningful to her. I know that she loves this tradition the best.
I have to remember that this won’t be her love language forever but it will probably be the one she feels most validated by. Each kid is so different and with each stage that they pass through requires more “plan aheads” but that is what makes this job so much fun.
Be Blessed. (words of affirmation–that is next week)
On Your Heart Soli Deo Gloria Hip Homeschool Moms Top {Ten} Tuesday What I Learned This Week Titus 2sdays Teach Me Tuesday Domestically Divine Heart and Home Linkup and with Lydia at Mindful Mothering
Just recently my husband and I were talking about our love languages…and then turned towards discussing our five year olds. Love your top ten list.
Thanks–I think I could have made it a bigger list than 10 . . . I find it easier to use the Love Languages on the kids than on my husband or myself. Not sure why. Be Blessed.
I love this post! Chapman’s love languages has done so much to help my family – I’m glad you are reaping the benefits from it as well. These posts from the book would be a great addition to my book hop if you ever want to join the party
http://forfunreadinglist.blogspot.com/p/cozy-book-hop-thursdays.html
Again love this!
Marissa
Thanks for the invite! I will check it out right now. Be Blessed.
Hi, this post is very heartwarming. It has given me lots of ideas to give my little one gifts.
Can’t wait to read your new series! Be Blessed.
Visiting from Time Warp Wife…
Oh, I love the note in the lunchbox. In fact, I did that just today.
Beautiful ideas…
Have a blessed day…
It gets harder as they get older–my just in middle school oldest is hard–my solution is to give him a napkin that will mean something to just him–today is his birthday so I gave him a napkin with a cake on it . . . just silly stuff to let our kids know that they are on our minds. Be Blessed.
What an awesome list!!
Thanks! Next week I’ll have another love language list. Be Blessed.
Love this list! It made my heart feel full. :) I’ll definitely have to do some of them.
Angie,
I’m glad that you liked this post. Thanks for having Top Ten Tuesdays so that I’m motivated to create these lists for the “new” blog. Be Blessed.
beautiful, meaningful list! Thanks for sharing!
Visiting you from the top ten tuesday bloghop!
Thanks–I’m having a lot of fun writing these–I listen to the CD a little and then check my “kid notes”. Be Blessed. Happy Hopping.
Such sweet ways to love a child in the ways they want to be loved, yet without going overboard or spending lots of money. Love that. thanks so much for linking up at our heart&home gathering at mercyink :)
blessings,
lauren
Thanks so much! I am inspired by Mercy(ink). A blessing to me.
Be Blessed. Renee
Beautiful ideas! I surprisingly do not have a “gifts” child, but I do have a few friends who have that love language. It definitely helps me to focus on little ways to give them proof of my love for them!
“the little ways”–later this month I will be writing (for a kids) about St. Therese’s “little way” of trusting in Jesus–that will have more simple tips that we can all use. I’m finding that the simple, dialed down, stop-look-listen is working for me these days. Be Blessed. Thanks for having the link up today!