Today on MoneyLife with Chuck Bentley

This is the beginning of Thanksgiving week and the Christmas shopping season officially begins Friday.

I'm always amazed at how people behave on Black Friday. What they’ll do to get certain items on sale. It seems to appeal to women more than men.

My parents were always generous at Christmas. They put fruit in the stockings and things that we didn’t normally have.

Materialism and ingratitude have crept in to Christmas. It seems the more people get, the less grateful they are. My family has responded to that by limiting the number of gifts for the children to 2 or 3.

We try to make each gift very meaningful. It's helped increase our kids' gratitude and helped the family budget. We shouldn’t get into financial bondage over Christmas gifts. Financial stress can affect any family at Christmas.

Our guest today is Jonni McCoy. Jonni has ideas on how to give things that demonstrate love and stay within your budget.

People tend to get trapped in trying to show their love materially by the amount spent or the number of gifts. Instead, we should think about the real purpose of Christmas, to honor the birth of our Lord Jesus.

Jonni says we should focus on loving family and friends. Money is not a direct demonstration of love. Sometimes we don’t realize we’re doing that until we look back on what we spent.

She suggests making a list of those you want to give to or gave to last year. Think about all the spheres of your life. Usually it’s too long to buy gifts for everyone on that list, so start prioritizing, decide who should get a gift, card, or something you’ve made or baked. Think creatively.

Set a dollar limit for each gift. Total the amount and make sure it fits your budget. If it doesn’t, reduce the amount you are spending on individuals or decide to make them something instead of buying a gift.

Heartfelt gifts are those the receiver will value because they reflect the heart more than the wallet. Write a letter, frame a picture, or perhaps give a theme gift basket. The theme should be something you associate with them, such as books, movies, or a memorable trip to the beach. Put things related to that theme in the basket. They will see it and feel the love.

Jonni has tips for Christmas shopping:

• Think about alternative ways to purchase something such as drawing names if you have a large family
• Give "by families," so you give one great gift instead of several lesser gifts
• Spouses should consider purchasing a large shared gift instead of separate gifts
• Have a gift-buying plan before you start shopping, take a list with you to the mall
• Stop shopping when you finish buying the gifts on your list
• Avoid using credit for buying Christmas gifts so you don’t pay 21% more in interest for what you’re buying

Jonni hates Black Friday and avoids it. She says stores usually have only a few of the advertised items, and to get them you have to be one of the first people in line and wait a long time. Ask yourself if you really need that product or is it just a great deal? Also ask yourself if the item is worth spending hours in line to get it.

Jonni’s family celebrates Jesus’ birth before opening their own gifts. They have a birthday cake and sing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus first on Christmas morning. They pray and read Scripture, preferring to focus on Jesus before opening their gifts to each other.

The day after Christmas, Jonni's children give away some of their old toys, donating them to a charity.

Jonni and I differ on the subject of giving store gift cards as gifts. I've read that the cards often aren’t used and most have expiration dates. Companies can go bankrupt before the cards get used, and there can be strings attached to using the card.

Jonni says there’s such a variety of gift cards available that you can use them to personalize your gift. She says you can give a card to a store or restaurant the person frequents, and it's more personal than cash.

If you’re being blessed through this program, please pray and consider sending a financial gift. We'd llove for you to partner with us, especially at this critical time of year.

You can become part of Crown's effort to teach biblical stewardship by making a gift online or by calling 800-722-1976. Thank you!

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