Christmas Present Shopping Rules for Men and Time

Well, here we go into the Christmas season again. And you incredible women out there in the west and north Phoenix, I would like to give you a Christmas present early. Yes, it's right here in this article. I want to help you save some time in shopping for the male species. 

These days extra time is getting as rare as earning interest on a bank saving account. Author James Moore enlightens us about time at Christmas time. "The gift of time is always appropriate, and it always fits."

Ladies, it’s time to get that Christmas shopping done for the men in your life. This year, let’s not make it a ‘nick of time’ or a ‘Saint nick of time’ for this Christmas. So, here are six rules on shopping for men I found on the internet. Generally, buying gifts for most men is not nearly as complicated as for most women, but shopping still takes time. Follow these rules, and you probably will have no problem finding appropriate gifts quickly. 

Rule 1. When in doubt, buy him a cordless drill. It doesn't matter if he already has one. I have a friend who owns 17 drills and has yet to complain. But, as a man, you can never have enough cordless drills. No one knows why.

Rule 2. If you can't afford a cordless drill, buy him anything with the word ratchet or socket in it. Men love saying those words. "Hey George, can I borrow your ratchet?" "OK. By the way, are you through using my 3/8-inch socket yet?" No one knows why.

Rule 3. You can buy men new remote controls to replace the ones that have worn out. If you have a lot of money, buy your man an 85” big-screen TV with the little picture in the corner. Watch him go wild as he flips, and flips, and flips. Again, no one knows why. 

Rule 4. This rule is essential. Never buy a man anything that says, "some assembly required" on the box. It will ruin his Christmas, and he will always have parts left over. And, when you hear the bang of a hammer on your three-year-old's brand new tricycle in the assembly phase on Christmas Eve, don't tell me I didn't warn you. Most everyone knows why.

Rules 5. It's hard to beat a wheelbarrow or an aluminum extension ladder. Almost as good as a cordless drill. Never buy a manly man a step ladder. It must be an aluminum extension ladder. You guessed it. No one knows why.

Rule 6. Tickets to a sports event or game are a brilliant gift. Hint: Most men will not appreciate tickets to ‘A Retrospective of 19th Century Quilts.’ Everyone knows why.

Well, ladies, there you go. Now you have been enlightened. I’ve made Christmas shopping for you easier and quicker. Aren't I a friendly pastor and writer? So keep those cards and letters coming.  

Now let's consider giving the gift of time. Most of us are looking for gifts that are the right gift at the right time for the right person. We want our gifts to be ‘just what they want.’ That is why you are reading this article. You think this article might give you an idea for a man gift or a man-cave gift.  

Ever since the Magi brought gifts to the Christ child, Christmas has been a time of giving. We give gifts to those we love, give to the less fortunate, give to the church, give to various charities, give to our families, give gifts to friends, and even give gifts to our pets. 

But this year how about giving some other kinds of gifts than the ones we buy or make. How about blessing someone the gift of your time? Maybe you have been very busy, and the kids need some individual 'Mom or Dad' time. Give some time to them. High school students, how about giving your mother and father some of your time to them during the holidays? Or maybe do some shopping or dinner together?

How about giving grandparents, shut-ins, sick or lonely people, or grieving some of your time? Your time may be the best thing they receive for Christmas or the holidays. Giving your time to someone who needs your time is like buying the appropriate dress that always fits. Maybe our Christmas prayer this Christmas can be, “Father, we know our time on earth is but a few words in the cosmic story. Help us to use our time wisely and leave our mark when our time is finished.”

Let me repeat it; author James Moore says, "The gift of time is always appropriate, and it always fits." Everyone knows why.