Christmas is this week!

The stomach ache from too many sweets at Thanksgiving has past (now, to watch out for all the Christmas goodies), we've enjoyed our first (and second, and third and fourth) snow of the season, our kids have made their Christmas count-down chain, our neighborhood is lit by colorful lights at night, the tree is up and stockings are on the wall. So, by all accounts, Christmas is coming ... fast!

It's an amazing time of year, and the energy of the season is nearly palatable. Black Friday turned into Cyber Monday, and now we're on crunch time as far as gifts are concerned. Malls are buzzing, and our inboxes have never been so full of Amazon deal emails! With no time at all until those presents under the tree are unwrapped, it's time to start thinking about that special someone.

What are your plans for your spouse this Christmas? What will your spouse unwrap from you on Christmas morning? What do you hope to unwrap?

With all the chatter the season brings about gift giving and receiving, it might not be a bad idea to take a brief "time out" to consider the best gift you could possibly give your spouse.

What is that gift you ask? Well, let me share a story that may be familiar to you. It's called "The Gift of the Magi," written by William Sydney Porter and originally published in The New York Sunday World in 1905:

It's a short story about Jim and Della, who were poor in almost every way but rich in their love. It is Christmas Eve, and poor Della has only $1.87 to buy her husband a Christmas gift. As she considers what she could possibly give him, she thinks of the one possession Jim owns that he takes great pride in-a gold watch that had been passed down from his grandfather, to his father and now to him.

Della thinks how nice it would be to give Jim an expensive watch chain to go with this prized possession. The only problem is the chain costs $21.00. Desperate to find the perfect gift, Della sells her beautiful long hair to a hair dresser for $20.00 in order to obtain the means to purchase the chain.

As she waits for Jim to arrive home that night, Della has a prayer in her heart, hoping he will still think she's pretty with her hair cut off. When Jim finally arrives home, Della explains how she sold her hair to pay for his gift. Jim then presents her with a gift -a collection of expensive combs for her hair, now nearly useless.

Unfazed, Della eagerly presents Jim with the new watch chain, to which Jim replies that he sold his watch to purchase her gift. In the end, even though both Jim and Della are left with gifts neither can use, they are blessed with the priceless gift of their selfless love.

It's a touching story, and a great reminder of the best gift we can possibly give our spouse-our love.

One of the wonderful things about the gift of love is that it is a gift we all can give, regardless of our circumstances. In fact, it's a gift you can't afford to not give.

So how can you give the gift of love to your spouse? Here are some simple ideas to get you started:

• Write her a note expressing your love and appreciation.

• Cuddle up next to him on the couch for a nice evening at home with hot chocolate.

• Make her favorite meal/dessert.

• Find some simple way to serve your spouse (do the dishes, iron his shirt, clean her car).

• Give him a nice long massage.

• Leave her a short love note on the bathroom mirror.

• Plan a fun date night.

• Pay him a sincere compliment.

• Take her on a drive to see Christmas lights, and make sure to hold her hand.

These ideas may work for you, or you may want to find your own unique way to give your spouse the gift of love. Whatever the case may be, don't let this Christmas season pass you by without your spouse knowing how you feel about him/her. During all the hustle and bustle the season brings, remember to share the gift of your love with your spouse!

This article was originally published on Nurturing Marriage. It has been republished here with permission."‹