Thanks to Valentine’s Day, February is considered the month of love, usually romantic love. Christian love, however, extends to friends, brothers and sisters in Christ, neighbors, co-workers, and even strangers and knows no seasonal boundaries. I want to share some practical ways to put the Biblical model of loving one another into action with meaningful gifts.

With our large family there’s a constant need for presents: birthday (the number of birthday parties you’re invited to is directly proportional to the number of children you have), thank you, and “just thinking of you” gifts. I watch the monthly specials at DaySpring and stock up on sale items, including greeting cards to go with them.

Keeping a small stash of mugs, journals, totes, and little jewelry boxes spares me a lot of drama and emergency shopping trips (although secretly I think my 12-year-old daughter doesn’t appreciate my preparation: she enjoyed all of those excuses to go shopping).

With this month’s “buy 2 get 1 free” deals on select gift collections, now is a great time to stock up!

There are so many options with these sale sets: if you need a big gift, give a complete set and wrap it in the included gift bag; if you need something smaller, separate the set and you have multiple smaller gifts to give.

My husband and I have the Mr. and Mrs. Mugs (although my 15-year-old daughter thinks the Mr. is hers. Don’t ask.). I gave a set to my dad and stepmother last year. My kids tell me that they use them every morning, a thought which just makes me happy. We’re sending the full Mr. and Mrs. Love Collection as part of a wedding gift and I’m getting the Two in One Inspirational Journal for Valentine’s so I can scrawl sweet nothings back and forth with my hubby.

I’m so serious about being prepared for gift-giving occasions that I even pre-wrapped some of my DaySpring stash. In January I used them for a birthday, a thank you, three “thinking of yous”, and even an apology. Mugs are probably my favorite item to give.

I hope the recipients are a fraction as happy as I am in the giving.

What about you? Do you keep a gift stash? What are your favorite gift items to give?

By Dawn Camp, My Home Sweet Home

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