The Most Valuable Gift – You!

With our grandson’s birthdays approaching, the question in our minds was,

“What can we give them that will be meaningful?”

If we had asked them, their answer would have been another leggo set or some other favorite toy that is on their list, which would have been fun, of course! However, as we considered our choices, we decided we would rather spend time with them. Also, being a twin myself, I also decided that we would have them one at a time, rather than together so we could focus on each boy.

As I prayed about it, I asked the Lord what we could do that each of them would enjoy. The results were a passel full of memories made and such sweet times together!

During the first boy’s celebration time, we let him choose where we would eat lunch. Pals, a favorite local hamburger establishment in our area was his suggestion. It is a drive-through burger place, with no indoor seating, so we opened the back hatch of the car and had an impromptu picnic! Smiles all around!

After lunch we headed to a pumpkin farm that has lots of activities, including a kid-sized corn maze, tractors to climb on, barns full of pumpkins of every color and size, and lots of beautiful photo ops. We took our time enjoying each activity, allowing him to guide us through the maze. We laughed, encouraged, and chatted as the walls of corn stalks surrounded us, creating crunchy sounds when the winds blew.

After exhausting all the sights at the pumpkin farm, we headed to Watauga Lake where we walked through the park area with sights of the lake and mountains as the most colorful backdrop. The trees in the park became our hiding spots as we played the game all children love. He was as happy and contented as we played there as a child could possibly be. There were no whiney tones asking when we were going to leave, or do something else. He was all in, and loving every minute.

That evening he spent the night with us, and that included all the toys and games that he enjoys when he’s at Pappa and Gigi’s house. Breakfast the next morning was his favorite, – Cinnamon toast, that he helped make, and then after a little more play it was time to head home where his school work was awaiting him.

The next grandson came the next weekend. I assured him that we would not be doing anything that he had heard his brother talk about. His night with us would be completely different. It started with bowling! My husband and I hadn’t been in years, and the scoring is now electronic, and so much fun! Our pictures were taken at the onset, so when we bowled, our faces were housed inside all kinds of funny people and animals, celebrating our victories or bemoaning our low score! Our little guy LOVED it all and did a great job catching onto the game. The bumper guards that came up on his turn helped him be successful and made it even more fun. Too bad they weren’t up for Gigi!

For his supper, we grilled hot dogs (his favorite food choice!) over our fire pit in the back yard. Wow, those dogs were some of the best I’ve ever eaten! I bought Hebrew National, and they plumped up so nicely over the open flame. After supper we made S’more’s, of course! He used a Twix bar he got for Halloween for the chocolate on his cracker. He gave it a thumbs up rating! He also stayed the night and we played, chased and wore one another out!

I took lots of photos of the boys during their stay with us, and I am now in the process of making photo books at Walgreens to give them as a remembrance of their time with us. We did purchase them each a couple of things they needed, but the bulk of our gift was ourselves. It created such sweet conversations with each one, and also memories that we hope to build on year after year.

The choice of our birthday celebration with them wasn’t about being stingy, but desiring to pour into their lives investments that don’t come delivered by Amazon. We gave them US, their Pappa and Gigi. We gave them our time, unhurried and undistracted. In giving, we also received!

If you decide to make a gift of yourself to a child, some things to consider would be:

• Is there an activity they’ve never done before that you think they would enjoy?
• Do they have any physical limitations that would keep them from some activities?
• What foods will you provide that they enjoy and would also be a fun adventure?
• What will they need overnight to make them comfortable and not afraid?
• What things would you want to discuss with them so you could have valuable conversation?
• How will you point them to Christ while you’re together?

I hope this inspires you to rethink your gifting to a child, whether it’s your son or daughter, grandson or granddaughter. There are things far more valuable than possessions.