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I love to give gifts, but even more I love to shop for a gift. Choosing that special gift for someone is the best way to spend time with them, when they are not with you. When you are choosing a gift for someone, you are actually preparing to give them a presentation about everything you know, and how you feel about them.

Giving gifts is one of the greatest communication tools we can use. It is an unspoken conversation that should always say, "I care about you."

So, what are some thoughtful ways we as Christians can "communicate" through the "conversation" of gift giving to our teens?

Any gift we give (as well as everything we do) should reflect our witness as followers of Christ, so why not think about the ways that Christ gave to us in His ministry here on earth.

Gift Cards for Local Restaurants:
Think about a need that your teen may have, and choose a gift that meets this need.
One of the needs that Jesus met was feeding the hungry. Let's face it, teens love to eat out. Perhaps a gift card for a favorite local restaurants, maybe near the school, just fill the bill, (or better the belly).

Car Servicing, Oil & Lube Job:
Jesus made it a point to teach His disciples how to serve others, by washing their feet. Your favorite teen, may need some work done on their car. Why not take a day and spend it with them, taking it to your favorite mechanic, getting an oil change, or a couple of new tires.
It will be a great opportunity to spend time with them as well as you wait.

A Three Month Membership to a Health Club:
When Jesus showed up, the sick were made well, the unhealthy became healthy. You might want to think about offering the very same to your teen. Perhaps they have not been able to afford a YMCA membership, but would love to go. A gift like this could change their life.

Cash
When it was time to pay taxes, Jesus sent Peter fishing, and in the fishes mouth was what was needed to pay His, and Peter's taxes as well. Sometimes a gift of cash, given for a specific need is the perfect blessing. Paying a bill for your teen, might the thing that will bring home the love of Christ.

These are just a few of as many ideas as grains of sand on the beach. Remember, Jesus was lovingly practical in all the gifts He gave. You can be too. Sure, a Bibles, or Christian music make wonderful gifts, and are very appreciated, but make sure that the gift that you give as a Christian tells your teen, how you feel about them and their needs, not a statement about how you want them to perceive you.

Jesus gave us the gift of life. Make sure your gifts bring His life to them as well.

Learn more about this author, Darrell E Phillips.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

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