It’s Christmas Eve eve.  Santa is making his list and checking it twice.  You are also checking your list and everyone is done, except that one person, right?

There is always someone who you just can’t shop for at Target or Best Buy because maybe that someone has everything already.  Or maybe you are plum out of Christmas gift cash, or maybe you can’t find a gift from a store that holds the sentiment you want to express.

Either way…it’s not too late to do a little brainstorming to find the best gift from the heart.  Yes, from the heart.

After all, those are the gifts that are most treasured and remembered for years to come.  I’ve compiled a list of the 10 best gifts from the heart, for you, in case you are suffering from a prechristmaschaositis, a common condition many people experience during the craze of the holidays!

I hope these ideas help you to find that special gift for that special someone.

1. The Gift of Life. Do you and your spouse want a baby but have been holding back because the timing never seems right? Well, the timing will probably never be right. Life is short and tomorrow is not a guarantee so stop fanatically putting your ducks in a row…and just do it! Your spouse will be relieved that someone is just making a decision already. On Christmas morning, hand your spouse a little note…letting her know you are giving her…the gift of life.
2. The Gift of Service. Do you have a friend or relative who just needs a hand! Offer to help with something…maybe babysitting, mowing the lawn, running an errand. Let them know in a sweet holiday card followed by a verbal confirmation so they know you mean it!
3. The Gift of Friendship. Do you know someone who could use a friend? Maybe someone who doesn’t have family to spend the holidays with or maybe someone who could use a bud to get a cup of coffee with? Befriend someone. It will make someone’s day, and probably yours as well.
4. The Gift of Listening. Has someone been trying to get your attention? Have you been too busy to really listen? Why don’t you offer to spend some private, quality time with this person.  And just listen.
5. The Gift of Love. I’m really referring to sex here but didn’t want to be dirty.  Life gets sooo busy and it’s the love-makin’ that often gets the backseat (no pun intended) to other priorities.  No better time, like the present.  Give your hubby a little IOU, wrapped up in a big box…that would be kinda cute and funny (unless he’s expecting a flat screen tv or something).
6. The Gift of Laughter. Laughing adds minutes to our life.  Do you know someone who could use a good laugh? Do you know any good jokes or stories? Perhaps and old inside joke? Put it down on a handmade Christmas   card, and be there when you give it to him or her.
7. The Gift of Wisdom. We can all use a little wisdom from time to time.  Offer a helpful thought or insight to someone you care about.
8. The Gift of Relaxation. You can get creative with this one, just depends on who the recipient is…offer your spouse a neck massage or a 1 hour hot bubble bath with a glass of wine.  Or even offer your babysitting service to a friend so she can get her nails done.
9. The Gift of Food. Sugar cookies, pecan pie, 7 layer bars or even the whole holiday meal…whatever you have time for!  Everyone likes food, but not everyone has time to prepare it…give the gift of food and you are guaranteed a smile.
10. The Gift of You. This can be anything.  Be a better spouse, propose to your girlfriend, visit your grandmother in the hospital, make amends with your estranged parent (if they deserve it).  Giving yourself to someone who loves you, is the best gift you can give.

No excuses now…none of these gifts cost anything but your heart (and maybe a little time)! Good luck with your brainstorming…I know you can do it!  Happy holidays to you and your loved ones…and remember the best gifts are the ones from the heart!

Oh and btw…the super cute Santa holding that little baby is my hubby.  That’s not our baby though, but that’s the gift I want most!

Please stop by and visit me anytime at The Pursuit of Mommyness!

After being hit by a moving car and thrown from her bike while returning home from dinner with her husband, Martha Harris awoke in the emergency room to some harsh realities.  She was told in that moment she may lose her leg by amputation, and though her leg was later saved, Martha was only at the beginning of a long road to recovery.

I stumbled upon the story of Martha Harris in the December 7^th, 2009 issue of First For Women magazine.  This article moved me so much that I reached out to her asking if I too could interview her to write an inspirational article to be featured on my blog.  She graciously obliged me.

This story is inspirational because Martha, a young woman, found success and purpose crocheting hats after a tragic and random, near death accident left her wondering if she would walk again.

“Many bones were broken in my body, and I have had 4 separate surgeries to reconstruct my leg, arm and collar bone.”

But shockingly, not so much as a scratch or bruise on her head or back.  Her body required a lengthy healing time, which included lots of therapy and prayers.   However, she did bounce back to her pre-accident self…but with a new perspective on life.

“It was amazing to see all the mercy and love poured out to me by loved ones and strangers alike.  It put more of an urgency in my heart to give back to others that are less fortunate than me.”

Crocheting as a part of her therapy to soothe and help with hand dexterity, she began creating hats and scarves and before long, people were asking if they could buy them.

“Last Christmas Eve, I was able to go into the slums of Camden NJ to give out hats and winter clothing to the children that lived there.”

Giving away these adorable hats and scarves to needy children gave Martha a great sense of purpose and it became clear, she had found her calling.  Martha even started a crochet circle and charitable group called Crochet for Cause, creating hats for little girls in need living in Camden, New Jersey.

You can buy her lovely creations at Modern Virtues on Etsy.  10% of all proceeds are donated by Martha to Covenant Mercies, a non-profit organization helping impoverished people locally and globally.  So when you purchase a one-of-a-kind, crocheted hat or scarf you are also helping someone less fortunate and supporting a real stand up gal, whose real-life story should inspire and motivate all of us.

You can contact Martha Harris directly at mlouwright@gmail.com.

If you have a story that you think is inspiring, and want to tell, please contact me here.

MomActive believes in Giving Back and so does Komar, the largest sleepwear and intimate apparel manufacturer in the United States.  Komar has set up a website called PJsforthecure.com in an effort to raise $1 million for the JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation).  100% of every sale on Pjsforthecure.com will be donated to JDRF.

From the website:

The inspiration for PJs for the Cure originated with Charlie Komar, President & CEO of the 101 year old family company. Charlie explains, “In 1990, my wife, Liz, was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. She was suddenly completely dependent upon synthetic insulin to keep her alive. She checks her blood sugar levels several times a day and is very careful of her eating habits and activities to ensure that she does not fall into a diabetic coma or worse. The realization of how serious her condition is and the dangers associated with it completely changed our lives.”

The efforts of JDRF and finding a cure for Juvenile Diabetes is a cause that MomActive has committed to being a part of.  One of our loyal community members was recently touched by this disease when her daughter was diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes.  Later this week on BTR, MomActive Live will be speaking with Kelly Loubet @childhood about what led her to test her daughters urine for sugar and the blur of events that followed, ultimately resulting in a life-changing diagnosis for her daughter Ali.  Tune in Tuesday at 11am ET HERE.

We encourage you to visit PJsforthecure.com to support this great cause and give recognition to a company that is giving back.