The holidays have a way of whipping us into a frenzy. Heartbeat racing, lists in hand, and Google tabs open on every store from here to the North Pole, chasing that ONE perfect gift. The one that will say, "You matter," "I love you," and "This year will be the best ever." Only to find it's backordered, out of stock, or mysteriously vanished from every website. Oh, sugar cookies—presence over presents!

We scramble to fix what feels broken but miss what's already whole.

The real gift this holiday season isn't wrapped and tied with a bow. It's your presence.

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Yes, you showing up. Sitting down. Laughing, listening, and simply being there—with no agenda to perfect the moment or achieve Pinterest-worthy magic.

"Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also," says Matthew 6:21. It's a simple but profound reminder that what we invest our time and energy in is what truly counts. Worrying over getting the perfect present often steals us from what really matters—unwrapping moments with those who love us, messy and real.

Remember the timeless holiday classic, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"? It's not about the gifts but the warm presence of loved ones. The song urges us, "Through the years we all will be together if the fates allow." It tells us presence sustains joy beyond any fleeting object.

The K.I.S.S. ~ Oh, sugar cookies—presence over presents!

You're not alone in the pressure cooker of perfection. From sugar cookies burning in the oven to dashed shipping promises, chaos is part of the holiday story—just like the night in Bethlehem when there was no room at the inn. Yet, in that seeming scramble, the most sacred gift was given: Emmanuel, God with us.

So if you're staring down a pile of "to-buys" and feeling the anxiety rising, pause. Take a breath. Your presence—the time, attention, and heart you offer—is a gift that can't be backordered or lost in shipping glitches. It's the only gift that matters.

This season, give yourself permission to let go of the perfect presents. Instead, carve out space for imperfect, unforgettable moments. Sit down for hot cocoa. Tell that "uncle joke" again. Pick your battles and pass on the madness of the perfect wrapping paper.

As Charles Dickens wrote in A Christmas Carol, "I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year." Your presence—steady, patient, engaged—is the real magic that lasts beyond wrapping paper and blinking lights.

Oh, sugar cookies, this year choose presence over presents. Because no gift can compare to the gift of being truly there.

"Be present. Be incredible. Be YOU!!!"

#Inspiration #CreateYourNow #DailyMotivation

💍 The Christmas Ring by Karen Kingsbury: (https://karenkingsbury.com)

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Cover Art by Jenny Hamson

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Music by Mandisa - Overcomer

http://www.mandisaofficial.com

Song ID: 68209 Song Title: Overcomer Writer(s): Ben Glover, Chris Stevens, David Garcia Copyright © 2013 Meaux Mercy (BMI) Moody Producer Music (BMI) One Songs (ASCAP) Ariose Music (ASCAP) Universal Music - Brentwood Benson Publ. (ASCAP) D Soul Music (ASCAP) (adm. at CapitolCMGPublishing.com) All rights reserved. Used by permission.

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