The ‘Skinny’ on the Holidays

We have skinny jeans and skinny lattes… and maybe we have skinny lattes to fit into the skinny jeans, but have you ever thought about a skinny holiday? There is so much consumerism around the holidays that it seems to fog up the real meaning of Christmas and spending time with your friends and family. What if you made a commitment to make this Christmas different? What if we thought more about why you were buying a gift for someone that just to check another name off your list? What if you ‘skinnied’ your Christmas this year?

Here are some helpful tips to experience a Skinny Holiday:

·         Review your gift list- who could you create a relational gift for instead of just buying a material item that may sit around their house and collect dust and create more debt for you.

·         Create relational gifts for as many people on your list as possible-  instead of buying a Starbucks gift card for coffee, why not buy a bag of good coffee and attach a note that reads:

o   “This coffee is a gift for both of us. It is to only be made when we are together and for the time it takes us to drink it, we are to share stories and conversation about lives.” That kind of gift would be a lot more meaningful and less bulky on both parties. When we give our presenCE we are giving much greater presents!

·         Consider making a donation to a worthy cause in honor of the name on your wish list this year- Check out Advent Conspiracy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVqqj1v-ZBU. Did you know that lack of clean water is the highest cause of death in this world? Did you know that just $10 provides one person clean drinking water for their entire life? Yes, $10 for a life time of clean drinking water. Living Water International is providing gift cards this year for the donations you make in someone’s name. I encourage you to check out http://adventconspiracy.org/ Watch the video- it IS the skinny on Christmas this year!

The story of Christ's birth is a story of PROMISE, HOPE, and a revolutionary LOVE.

So, what happened? What was once a time to celebrate the birth of a savior has somehow turned into a season of stress, traffic jams, and shopping lists.

And when it's all over, many of us are left with presents to return, looming debt that will take months to pay off, and this empty feeling of missed purpose. Is this what we really want out of Christmas?

What if Christmas became a world-changing event again?

Welcome to a season of true giving!

When we worship fully, spend less, give more and love all, we are telling the true ‘skinny’ story of Christmas!

I would be happy to help anyone wanting more information on this. Feel free to email me at vickie.minnella@gmail.com